The Miracle of Vonage; an Expat’s “Best Friend”

We discovered Vonage phone service just a couple months before moving to Germany.  For staying in touch with friends and family back in the states, this service is truly an Expat’s best friend.

What is it?

Vonage is a non-traditional phone package that utilizes voice over internet protocol (“VOIP”); or in simpler terms, it uses your broadband internet service to make and receive phone calls instead of the traditional phone line from your local telephone company.  For a small monthly fee, Vonage enables you to make and receive phone calls from anywhere in the world provided you are connected to a broadband connection.  If you decide to take a trip to Paris for example, you can bring your Vonage adapter and phone with you…plug into the hotel’s broadband internet connection and you have your “local” phone number with you.

You choose the stateside area code that you want to use.  Anyone who calls you from within that area code is only charged for a local call, regardless of where you are in the world.  In fact, most long-distance carriers have been offering nationwide long-distance service for a while now, so for many the call to you is free. Your outgoing calls to the US, including 1-800 numbers, are covered with your modest monthly payment to Vonage.  It’s a great way to beat the high cost of international phone rates.  Sounds pretty amazing, doesn’t it?!?

For us, Vonage has been a welcome addition to our daily lives.  Friends and family don’t have to pay the phone company rates for a call to Germany and we can take this Vonage number with us wherever we go…

What Features does it offer?

• “Free” calls from anyone in the states, provided they have nationwide calling plan.  Otherwise, they are charged the normal long-distance rate from their area code to the area code you chose when you set up your Vonage account.
• Excellent voice mail.  You can set your Vonage system up to notify you via email if you have voicemail.  Vonage even attaches a .wmv file to the email so that you can listen to the voice message from your computer.
• The Vonage system we bought included a multi-handset cordless phone system.  On the base station is a “Do not disturb” button.  Press this button and all your Vonage phone calls go directly to voicemail.  This is nice for us in case our stateside friends forget the time difference here in Germany.
• Online account access.  Access your Vonage account from any computer…check your incoming and outgoing calls, voicemail, etc.  You can even forward your calls to another stateside number.
• All the standard features such as call waiting, call hunt, caller ID…all included in the monthly price.
• Stay in better touch if you move around a lot.  With Vonage you can take your number with you…wherever you go.

What hardware is required?

First, you’ll need a broadband internet connection.  Most folks with this type of connection are using DSL or Cable internet service from their local provider.  Next, you’ll need a Vonage adapter.  We picked up a multi-handset phone system with the adapter from Best Buy, on sale for $99.  Other Vonage adapters are available at a cheaper price without the multi-handset phones.

How do you set it up?

Follow the instruction manual…the instructions were easy to understand.  Establish a Vonage account online.  Select an area code and phone number from the choices Vonage gives you…install your hardware and you’re in business.

Just how good is the service?

When calling a land-line we and the folks we’re calling can’t differentiate between traditional telephone service and the Vonage service.  However, every once in a while the phone may cut-out a bit if the other party is on a cell phone.  Overall though, we’re extremely pleased with the quality.

How much does it cost?

Vonage has a couple of plans.  One caps you at 500 minutes of call time for a set price.  We opted for unlimited calling for about $25/mo.

Where can I buy it?

Check your local electronics store or order online.  Newegg.com is one of my favorite online sites for geek stuff.  You can read more about Vonage at www.betterwaytophone.com

It’s a good thing….