Btw, how immediate was it? They shipped the VoIP box the next business day, but the account was activated immediately. That is they assigned me a new number, and I was able to call myself, leave a message, then listen to it through their web interface, all within 30 seconds of placing the order.

Connecting many phones to the box is straight forward, just run them all in parallel. Every device you connect has a load of course, usually even stated in the manual for that device, and the total load should not exceed what the line can handle. I haven’t read the manual yet from their VoIP box, but more than likely it would say that only one phone is supposed to be connected, and that they would love to sell you another box that handles many phones. In reality even the 1 line box can handle several phones, at least that's what I gathered from the internet.

 

Vonage specifically states how to add more than one phone on their website: http://www.vonage.com/help.php?artic...egory=44&nav=3

I just picked up an expandable cordless phone system from costco. 4 phones for like $90. I tried running it through my exisiting wiring, but because of a secuirty system I have installed...it didnt work. Supposedly, you just have to disconnect the line running into your house from the phone company. Then just plug the vonage box into any wall outlet. That should do the trick. Wireless RCA phone jacks also work. I also put a 3 way splitter on the back of the vonage router and pluged in my fax, computer, and expandable phone hub...

 

Gee, my first month was free.
All I had to pay was $10 for the Linksys router which they claim was for shipping.

They wanted to charge me a setup fee, but I scoffed, pissed, and moaned, and got my way, all free the first month.

The service works right away, since your router is hard coded with your tele number.

 

I'm debating between Vonage and SunRocket. If you sign up with SunRocket you get two free Uniden 2.4ghz phones. Also I like the fact that you can get it for $200.00 per year. But I'm still not sure yet.

 

Shop around first. Dont rely on Vonage. The service has been great and I really like Vonage. I have had 3 people switch to Vonage and never got a referal fee (free month service).

 

E.T. phones home to the tune of about 150mB/month.

 

But you have to sign a 1 year contract to get the $200 deal. Do you really talk on the phone more than 500 minutes a month? You may think you do, but with work and cell phones...my wife and I top out at 300. $15 a month no contracts sold Vonage for me - $180/yr. The free phones is nice...but you can get the same Uniden 2pack $30 at Staples when on sale. I went with Vonage based upon their popularity. The more customers, the more profits, the more they put back into the VOIP technology/business. Also like the comercials.

 

yeah you're right. I'll probably stick with Vonage.

 

Interesting bit of information: what I received from Vonage is a Linksys RT31P2 router with 2 phone ports. It uses firmware which was clearly tweaked by Vonage, yet they didn’t bother putting in anything as far as traffic prioritization goes. The phone ports seem to be equals with any other node on the network, so uploading, or even briskly browsing the web can take away enough bandwidth for the voice to breakup beyond any recognition.

We need to figure out something 3rd party

 

Login to your Vonage account online. Click features...there is a bandwidth thingy...

 

Close, but no cookie.

 

What if you don't want their router? Do you have the option of them sending you something else?

 

??? I have a whopping 256k down/up package...never have problems. Wife has stuff download all day long.

Data...you have to use a "Vonage" router. There are a few options...but not many.

 

I wonder if they have some sort of adapter instead of a router they could send? I like my router LOL...

 

You can certainly plug the router into the existing network as if it's a regular node and it will behave no differently.

 

I do not have one bit of a problem surfing the 'Net and talking on Vonage.
In fact on the weekends I am a heavy gamer, and I also am using the phone at the same time for over an hour.

I played Drew's girlfriend Saturday night for 100 minutes of UT 2004, and we both had our phones set on the PC desks on speaker phone.

No lag whatsoever when using Vonage and PC at the same time.

 

Corey, that may be, but the reality is if something starts uploading, or even downloading from a server that is fast enough, it will take away bandwidth from the phone.

I’m sure you know this but most consumer internet access is asymmetric, the upload speed is just enough to support the download. That is if you download at full speed your upload bandwidth will be fully utilized also.

I tried both downloading and uploading at full speed, and the phone becomes unusable, as the computer takes away more bandwidth than voice service allows. Controlling everyone’s internet usage during phone calls is a bad solution, just like expecting Windows to not automatically download a huge patch during an important phone call.

It would be safe to say that virtually everyone in corporate world prioritizes voice traffic above everything else, otherwise VoIP reliability would be unacceptable. I’m sure Vonage will issue firmware upgrades in the (distant?) future or upgrade equipment that will do prioritization at home.

There are a few both free and non free 3rd party solutions, but they are far from plug-n-play.

 

Now that is weird, as I FTP'd a 34 MB file full speed to my site yesterday and was talking on Vonage to member Drew at the same time.

No problem encountered.
I love Vonage, and it works for me as stated.

Your results may vary different from mine

 

Havent looked at my router settings in months...but isnt there a QoS (quality of service) setting on the router? That probably takes care of it...

 

There is indeed, and it is enabled in mine, but tests show it as ineffective