Anyone using VOIP in Lower Mainland now?

[brocketrocket]

Hi all..

Anyone recommend a good Voip Provider in the lower mainland? Checked Vonage website, looks ok, but as with most things I am sure there are better ones out there... any first hand experiances?

Thanks!

 

[Syncmaster]

Google or Skype ?

Just heard on TV that Google will be offering services similiar to what Skype is offering. I haven't done homework on this yet but will shortly.

I am still trying to get rid of my %$#^ fax-to-email service at Telus but haven't found anything better.

 

[RDangerfield]

Vonage and AC604

I was thinking on trying out Vonage until I found out that they don't offer area code 604, only 250. Therefore, for someone to call you within the lowermainland, they need to call you long distance. I know there is a few other companies that offer the same service, but I haven't looked into it.

I have been using Vonage for six months with no problems at all. The service has been very reliable and the voice quality is about 90% of a land line (slight echoes now and then).

I have a 604 number, so I am curious where you learned they don't offer 604. They might have exhausted their 604 number allotments. They should be able to get more (or some 778), unless good ol' Telus is running some backroom interference with the good ol' boys at CRTC!

I have the basic $19.99 package which includes unlimited incoming calls and 500 minutes outgoing to anywhere in Canada/US. It also includes all the features you can think of VMail, CallerID, Call Forward etc. Telus would charge you almost 19.99 for the features alone. You can setup the Voice Mail to send you an email notification when you receive a message with the message attached as a .WAV file.

The system can also be setup with an "autoforward" number. The system will forward all calls to this number whenever you have network or power interruptions. (Very well thought out). I have it forwarded to my cell.

I have been so confident with the service that I ditched my Telus land line about a month after getting Vonage. I hope CRTC doesn't fuck up a good thing by caving to the continued grumblings of Telus and others.

 

[luckyschmo]

I have been on it for over 6 months (vonage) and have had a 604 from day one. You got mis-information from somewhere.. are you checking vonage.ca or vonage.com?

Oh.. and it kicks ass by the way.. saving HUGE $ on my bills.

 

[FuZzYknUckLeS]

Actually...

I seriously looked into this shit a few months back. Vonage as I remember, sucked ass compared to some others.I eventually decided on Dolphin , but never did follow through. Turned out, I have Telus phone and internet. I wanted to kill my phone, but keep the internet, cause Shaw bites IMO. Telus, as you may not be aware, 'bundles' their internet with their phone service, can't have JUST internet. Fuckers. Apparently the other VOIP providers are bitching out the CRTC about this. Or so I'm told. IDK. Does the CRTC even regulate VOIP yet? Oh. And ask about 911. At the time I checked, that seemed to be a problem for some providers. Like, you simply couldn't use their service to dial a 911 call. Prolly not a biggie though if ya tihnk about it. How many times in yer life have ya had to dial it? And doesn't everyone have a cell nowdays anyhow? rant. rant. rant.

 

[dexi]

Shaw plans to roll this out in early to mid fall. They've already hired hundreds of employees. You're looking at just under 50 bucks for a bunch of services, and free unlimited long distance anywhere in North America.

I'm not really sure how that competes with other VOIPs, but it's a better deal than telus' land lines, at least it seem to be at first glance. I don't have all the details, but I know a little as I know someone who works there. Apparently you'll be able to keep your existing number, it just takes longer if you go that route (not sure how much longer) since they have to wrestle it out of telus' cold dead hands.

Don't worry about 911, 411 etc. All the newbie VOIP services are paying to piggyback on other networks established services, so it won't be an issue.

 

[sdw]

For a new phone number you have a choice of 778 or 250. If you carry your existing phone number to your new provider, you will stay in 604.

 

[sdw]

You can easily check to see if you can retain your current phone number.

The advantage of being able to select an area code is the ability to reduce your long distance phone charges.

For example:
I am a Vancouver company that has an office in Victoria and also San Francisco. If I replace my three Telus lines with three VOIP lines one with one of my current numbers, one with area code 250 and one with area code 415, I save a lot of money on long distance charges. All of these phones ring in my office and just have to remember which phone to use when phoning a client in Victoria or San Francisco.

911 is available on all phones. That's why 911 is billed seperately.

 

[threepeat]

Primus

I'm using Primus right now and it's great. I'm saving $20+ dollars a month vs. Telus, so by year-end I should be able to have that 'free' SP session I've been working toward

www.primustel.ca

 

[luckyschmo]

They must have ran out of 604 ( not sure if thats possible ) at that time. I even phoned them. If you looked on the website now even, they have two options.. 250 or 778.. no 604

Hmm maybe so..

They didn't have 911 when I first got it but they have it now. (Vonage)