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[avythe]

Wooo first post!

Ok, here's a question: who can easily explain to me how I can start using VoIP to seriously reduce my phone bill every month?

[crazyfish]

Buy a VOIP service plan from someone such as vonage, it that easy enough? They send you the hardware you need to get started.

[GMoore7]

Is there such thing as running your own VOIP service? Like off of your own server or something?

~Garrett

[Shaw Networks]

Damn, missed the first post, I feel so last Tuesday

[David]

Originally Posted by GMoore7

Is there such thing as running your own VOIP service? Like off of your own server or something?

~Garrett

Yes. Asterisk!

[SoftWareRevue]

Originally Posted by nocebo

... seriously reduce my phone bill every month?

If your phone bill is high because of calling other countries, just use freecallplanet.com's VOIP.

[The Prohacker]

Originally Posted by nocebo

Wooo first post!

Ok, here's a question: who can easily explain to me how I can start using VoIP to seriously reduce my phone bill every month?

I really do hate answering questions with another question

You ask how you can seriously reduce your current phone bill, we would need to know certain specific things:

• What is your current phone bill?
• How much would you like to reduct it?
• What are the primary line item expenses on your current phone bill (Long distance, general phone service, additional services such as caller ID/call waiting/voicemail)?
• Where are you located?

[avythe]

* What is your current phone bill?

Around $65 for the home phone.

* How much would you like to reduct it?

50 cents a month would be great

* What are the primary line item expenses on your current phone bill (Long distance, general phone service, additional services such as caller ID/call waiting/voicemail)?

I have most of the regular features...I have caller ID, call waiting, voicemail, etc. I don't have a long distance plan though.

* Where are you located?

West LA

-Would it be cheaper for me to run my own VoIP service? Or use something like vonage? How reliable is vonage?

[The Prohacker]

Originally Posted by nocebo

-Would it be cheaper for me to run my own VoIP service? Or use something like vonage? How reliable is vonage?

Vonage is quite expensive compared to many online only VoIP providers, you should check out a couple of these companies:
http://www.broadvoice.com/rateplans.html
http://www.sunrocket.com/services/plans/monthly/
http://www.viatalk.com/broadband_phone_service.htm

You should check the availability for numbers in your location at each provider. These plans should save you quite a bit of money a month then. Just beware 911 service might not operate the same way that you are used too.

[avythe]

Just beware 911 service might not operate the same way that you are used too.

In what way does it differ?

[h4wk]

Originally Posted by SoftWareRevue

If your phone bill is high because of calling other countries, just use freecallplanet.com's VOIP.

Excellent!

[The Prohacker]

Originally Posted by nocebo

In what way does it differ?

I think Vonage has a pretty good explanation for the 911 services they offer: http://www.vonage.com/features.php?feature=911

Virtually all VoIP providers will have a statement on what 911 services are offered.

[Timothy]

Originally Posted by The Prohacker

I think Vonage has a pretty good explanation for the 911 services they offer: http://www.vonage.com/features.php?feature=911

Virtually all VoIP providers will have a statement on what 911 services are offered.

Exactly. Every provider will have their 911 structured a little differently so it'll vary.

The FCC requires that all "interconnected" VoIP providers provide full E911 service. Interconnected basically means you can make calls to the regular phone network and not just IP to IP.

Some offer it, some don't. Some offer different versions. Every provider is also required to provide a statement regarding their offerings. The best thing to do is read the statement to see what limitations might apply to their 911 service in particular as Prohacker pointed out.

[motheninja]

My sister tried Vonage for a month; she said it was OK. She was calling my mom (NY to LA) frequently and that's why she got it. The thing about it is that she still needed to pay for DSL which required a phone line. It was still cheaper with Vonage though.

But then both my sister and mom got on the same cell phone company (t-mobile) and the free unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes did the trick.

[WireNine]

I didn't even see this section until now