Anyone tried VIOP yet?

[Mudshark]

well the title says it all.. anyone tried voice over IP and of so,
do you have any advice etc.
VONAGE
and
AT&T seem to be the "big" players here in Texas. both have pretty
much the same to offer.....on the surface.
any input please, like:
any other providers
cost / options of service
line quality for both local and long distance (I hear further calls can sound crappy)

well you get the idea.
Thanks in advance...

[Mudshark]

oops guys - major blunder.... it's supposed to be VOIP voice over IP - sorry............... Ha! it let me change the Title of the post.
all better now.
...............has it always let us do that??

[Finchwizard]

? The Thread title is still VIOP

Ummm, if you have ADSL, then you just buy like a USB VOIP phone, and there are a few programs out there on the net, the only thing is you have to be connected to the net and near a computer, but apart from that I think it's Ok, but the phone calls still drop out every now and then, and you have to redial.

But apart from that you can talk for as long as you want

[Mudshark]

Hmm yes I see so - it has changed the subject line though.

Well I've decided to go the Vonage route. They seem to have
a really good plan 24.99 unlimited local and long-distance calls
US and Canada. Plus they supply you with a Linksys VoIP router
for free ($68.00 value) FREE - free is always good
Model #RT31P2 - it has a built in 3 port switch and two phone
Lines, so I loose one port over the router I now have, but I can
always daisy chain a switch to get some back.

If I recommend anyone they get a month free... so do I hehe
so if anyone feels like giving it a try give me a shout.

[Mudshark]

UPdate......
it's Great!! it works great, very clear calls. I am very happy.
Before I paid around $100 before making a call for phone service, now just
$24.99 and I get all long distance and local calls FREE - free is good! now I'll be able to by more PC stuff with the $75 + I save each month LOL
Also all the phones in the house are hooked up to it...no need for
a usb type phone or special software.
I just used a regular "Modem" type cord and ran it from the router
to a phone jack in the wall.... now all the phones get it....too cool!

[Finchwizard]

Cool stuff.

It's a great technology and it's good to see these things moving forward.

[dberlind]

Ventrilo is an easy form of VOIP. www.ventrilo.com if you need any help my AIM is dgberlind I'll be glad to teach you all about it. It's free also and the voice quality is great.