Vonage? (Baton Rouge: flat fee, transfer, costs)

[kimalso]

I don't want to open a huge can of worms on this question as I know folks have pretty strong feelings pro and con on this issue, but does anyone on the Baton Rouge forum USE Vonage? We're looking at ways to cut costs and thought this might be a possibility. We'll probably get standard cable and cable internet through Cox, but it looks like when you add their phone, long distance is extra and we thought Vonage was a better deal in that respect.

We're moving in to Baton Rouge next week so we will be getting a new number and won't need to transfer any number to Vonage.

Any opinions? Recommendations? Warnings?
Thanks in advance.

[champa]

I don't know about Vonage, but I have Cox. We have their 'bundle' and it works alright, although we hardly use that phone, mostly cell or skype. I pay about $5/month for skype's call-to-number service and I can call anywhere in the US for that flat fee.

As far as Cox, it is unfortunate that there really aren't options for cable around here, and have to go with either them or satellite. While they advertise that their service is good, which it is in terms of the guys that come over to fix the cable every other month are nice and friendly, but the cable service itself is one of the worst I've ever had (not to mention the billing hassles we've been through).

[kimalso]

Thanks for the reply. We considered Cox's bundle but we'll be doing a lot of long distance and that made it more expensive. I didn't even think about Skype....I'll have to look into that.

I think ALL cable companies have pretty poor service reputations, unfortunately. And we've never liked satellite.

Thx again.

[darylwi]

Funny thing here, I've actually had excellent service with COX, and have experienced hell with satellite. I will agree however that the long distance service through COX makes it much more expensive. Otherwise it'd be perfect for me.

Have no clue about Vonage. I'm interested to hear what others say.

[Tigerbait]

I had Vonage for 3 yrs in BR through COX and had no problems. If you have an alarm system , you may have to place the vonage box in a location (or slighly modify the wiring) so that the alarm has the first connection from the service so that it can interrupt a call and dial the alarm company. I also had a 911 emergency while on vonage and had no issue with help ariving. can't beat the price.

[ladypilcher]

I have had Vonage since they first started and the only time there is any problem is when the cable/ internet, or electric goes out. I came from Michigan a little over a year ago and kept my number from there so my mom can call me whenever she wants.... the price only changes if you use "information". I pay 28.99 and have every feature that you can imagine, they are all included. They also have the usb phone which I plan to get for my son when he goes overseas again. It also worked for my son in Korea....

Hope that helps.

[kimalso]

Thank you all for your replies. I just now hooked up my modem from Cox and will be contacting Vonage next week. My brother uses Vonage in S.C. and loves it. I hope I have a positive experience as well.