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RickS

Oct 24, 2006, 3:35 PM

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Vonage

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There has been a ton of posts on Vonage and other VoIP phone systems, but I did not actually find one that addresses my question.

I have a friend here that wants to get Vonage working on her DSL connection. She had another friend purchase the Vonage adapter in Florida (Circuit City) and bring it down to her. My question is "what kind of do's and don'ts are required to set up a new service DOWN HERE with hardware already purchased.

I am aware that one (if they are in the US) can just go to vonage.com and answer a bunch of questions about where you want the service, who is your ISP, etc. But I don't know how to 'fake' it from here. Also, their list of hardware does not include the Linksys PAP2 Vonage hard that she has.

Has anyone at Lakeside actually started Vonage service given the circumstances I mentioned above? If so, would you mind sharing with me 'how to do it' and maybe 'what not to tell Vonage'? I have not called them because I wanted to get some Lakeside recommendations before I open a potential pandora's box.

I am technically competent (I have VoIP service NOB, no longer have a land-line, and actually brought it down with me to use during my stay here this Fall) but have not actually 'set the service up in a Foreign country using a NOB preferred location. And, I don't want to ask them the wrong question and have it negatively affect her getting Vonage service here!

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

RickS

johanson / Moderator

Oct 24, 2006, 5:56 PM

Post #2 of 11 (3752 views)

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Re: [RickS] Vonage

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You wrote " But I don't know how to 'fake' it from here". I am confused. What do you need to fake? I don't think anything. But I am not sure. My VoIP provider is www.IconnectHere.com The fact that they thought I was in the US created problems for me. IconnectHere believed that I lived in the US. When I moved my summer residence to downtown Seattle, they partially disabled my VoIP connection because they could not provide me with 911 connectivity, a new US requirement, something I told them I did not want. Once I convinced them that my phone adaptor (VoIP) equipment was in Mexico, they finally reactivated my equipment.

I switch my Phone adaptor from ISP to ISP when abroad. I never have a problem. I take that back. Sometimes bandwidth is so sub-standard (slow) south of the border that my connection fails.

Sorry, I do not know what a Linksys "PAP2 Vonage hard" is. My "Linksys PAP2-NA" works great with my VoIP provider, and I believe also works with Vonage.

If you are trying to configure the adaptor yourself, it is a little bit more tricky if you purchase same from a vendor other than your VoIP provider, in your case Vonage, but I know many folks who have brought them down from up north. The few I know who tried to configure (set up) same were eventually able to do so. Most folks give in and get a techie to do the configuration

(This post was edited by johanson on Oct 24, 2006, 5:59 PM)

Papirex

Oct 24, 2006, 7:13 PM

Post #3 of 11 (3743 views)

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Re: [RickS] Vonage

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When I configured my Vonage adapter, it was a snap. It took less than five minutes. I got my adapter from Vonage though. I signed up with them online, and had the adapter shipped to my brother-in-laws house in Tacoma. The adapter was free, there is something like a 35 Dollar charge if you discontinue Vonage service and do not return the adapter to them in the original packaging. Living in México it will be a lot cheaper to pay that charge someday, than it would be to send it back to them.

My mother-in-law was up there for a visit, and brought it to me here in Cuernavaca when she came home.

Vonage doesn’t care where you live. They never asked me who my ISP was. They did require that a client have a US issued credit card to pay their charges though. I used the billing address for the credit card I use to pay for the service; it is my daughter’s house in Fairbanks. Now that they also serve Canada, probably they will now accept a Canadian issued card. I have set it up for autopay; I get an Email from them every month when the bill is paid. I can also view my statement online.

When I started service with them, they clearly stated on their website that their adapter would work anywhere in the world where you had a broadband Internet connection.

I chose a phone number in Tacoma as my home area. I have never activated the 911 services for that area, and Vonage has not asked me to do that yet. There is no point in doing it unless they insist on it.

Vonage recommends an upload speed of at least 90 bps. Be aware that there is ample evidence that Infinitum is slowing down the upload speeds for people that they can detect are using VOIP telephone service in many areas of México. That is another good reason that I use a cable Internet connection, besides, it is much cheaper than Infinitum.

I recently received a free upgrade from 512 bps download speeds to 1300 bps; my upload speeds remained the same at 256 bps. My speeds now typically test at 1230-1240 download and 230-240 upload now. I pay $368 Pesos per month for their service, including taxes, in addition to my cable TV charges, for a total of about $850 Pesos.

I also use Skype out in my laptop for when we are traveling, that’s a lot cheaper than paying Vonage an additional US $9.95 per month to use their softphone program in a computer.

Rex
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

(This post was edited by RexC on Oct 24, 2006, 7:18 PM)

RickS

Oct 24, 2006, 8:34 PM

Post #4 of 11 (3734 views)

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Re: [johanson] Vonage

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Thanks for your input. Let's go back to the situation that is different than you have experienced:

+ A Vonage adapter purchased through one of their resellers in the US, Circuit City. This is a common way of obtaining the service. Just purchased the adapter; no activation done in the States.
+ A need to activate the service from here in Mexico, connecting to Telmex DSL.
+ To activate the service, I must go to the vonage.com website and click on "Already purchased Adapter; click here to Activate"
+ The first requirement is to key in the MAC-ID of her adapter, which is on the box; no problemo I can do that
+ The next requirement is to "Pick a Country". US, Canada and Puerto Rico are the only options, so I 'fake it' and say US
+ Another requirement is to Pick an ISP from a long list of possibilities; obviously Telex is not an option so I 'fake it' and pick 'Other'
+ Another requirement is to pick a location within the US. This I can do because I know where she wants her 'local calls' to be; but they also require me to enter a local phone number there which she does not have, so I 'fake it' and put 555-1212.
+ Another requirement is to put in a billing address. I can 'fake it' and put in my address but then that address becomes her E-911 address. They require you to give them that address and click "I Accept" this as my E-911 address
+ They also require a Credit Card for billing but that one we can handle

That's as far as I got in the on-line process because I decided to 'ask' for learned assistance from someone who might have done it before under these circumstances. I didn't want to commit her MAC-ID to a flawed process and screw it up for a later activation.

So you see, I seemingly have to 'fake it' to some degree Pete. Had she gone onlline and purchased it direct from Vonage (free actually) and had them ship it to a US location (mine) and then brought it down (like in Rex's situation), I could have just gone online and activated it (in 5 minutes, again like Rex). But alas, guys, my circumstances are different and I am running up against some obstacles.

I'll probably just call them Wednesday (on my ViaTalk VoIP phone, which I bought/installed in the US and am now using "Internationally" with no problem, just like you Pete) and let them work me through the installation. I just thought I might could do it online without talking to their Tech Support in India!

RickS

P.S. Pete, I guess that "Linksys PAP2 Vonage hard" is my shorthand for exactly what you have, a "Linksys PAP2-NA". I surprised a guy with your background could not decipher what I meant; I just lost my 'ware'. And configuring the adapter is not my problem.... ascertaining how to activate it online from here is. Once I get over that hurdle, I can handle the technical stuff with respect to any QoS issues and the like.

P.P.S. If anyone else out there has done exactly what I am trying to do with Vonage, please speak up. Gracious.

(This post was edited by RickS on Oct 24, 2006, 8:50 PM)

johanson / Moderator

Oct 24, 2006, 8:57 PM

Post #5 of 11 (3726 views)

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Re: [RickS] Vonage

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Hey Rick you probably know more about VoIP than I do. On to your problem. I have a friend who picked up his Linksys adaptor, as I remember at Best Buy, for a Vonage connection. He had the same problem that you did. He spent hours trying to resolve his problem.

This was about a year ago. But as I recollect, he said that somewhere during setup there was additional tab that he clicked on that allowed him to identify from where he purchased his adaptor, you know, "Best Buy", "Circuit City", etc. At least that is what he told me. He said once he did that, everything worked. Those are vague suggestions, but, that's all I remember.

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Oct 24, 2006, 9:05 PM

Post #6 of 11 (3724 views)

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Re: [RexC] Vonage

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Another for others to check on if they need one is Lingo. Their service is comparable to Vonage but 1/2 the price. The Box to hook up to your ethernet connection is free and "self setup" when you put the software in the computer. They like a 911# but that can be overcome by putting a relatives # in, or for that matter, anyones. I paid $10 a month for their service. I've since changed to Skype as that's even cheaper yet. $30 yr for Skype Out and just a $10 deposit for time used or something like that. The $10 supposedly lasts forever if not used. In fact, I just checked and somehow my balance is $10.48 (???)
AntHOO, just thought I'd toss that in.

Have a good one.
Getting older and still not down here.

Papirex

Oct 24, 2006, 10:17 PM

Post #7 of 11 (3719 views)

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Re: [Ron Pickering W3FJW] Vonage

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Ron, I don’t remember having to pay anything to start the Skype out service, maybe I did, but I just don’t remember it. I did need to put a $10 Dollar deposit against any calls made. That deposit will not expire for 180 days, if you make at least one call before the 180 days is up, the remaining deposit will not expire for another 180 days.

After making several calls from Tacoma to Napa, and San Diego, California, and Cuernavaca and Mexico City, and a couple of test calls from Cuernavaca after I got home to Tacoma and San Diego, I still have a balance of US $8.49.

Oddly enough, the rate for most of Mexico is .099 US Cents per minute. When we called Cuernavaca, which is 52 miles from Mexico City, we were charged the Mexico City rate of .021 US Cents per minute. I am going to complain loudly about being undercharged, the next time I get drunk enough.

I will try to remember to make at least one call using Skype in the next six months to save my 8 Bucks.

I think this will qualify me to meet Bubbas definition of a skinflint.

Rex
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

(This post was edited by RexC on Oct 24, 2006, 10:58 PM)

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Oct 24, 2006, 11:31 PM

Post #8 of 11 (3711 views)

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Re: [RexC] Vonage

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Your reply opened up one of those dark recesses in my mind that I don't normally use (recall) but it did remind me that the $30 was the yearly charge for voicemail and all the other goodies. The $10 was just for Skypeout in case I made a call. I didn't realize one had to make an outgoing call every180 days in order to have the balance roll over into the next 180. I'll have to keep track of that. At any rate, my telephone service with voicemail+ only costs me $2.50 per month. I can live with that. I don't know why though my balance of $10 is now $10.48. Maybe they're paying me for not making calls. Since I rely on Skype for my total telco service I had to buy the email as my laptop is not on 24 hrs a day to receive calls. I bought a telephone from Radio Shack ($29) that plugs into a USB port and it works like a charm. Will even work with WiFi. Damn, all around, that's a great deal. MA BELL.....GO SHOVE IT UP....
Anyway, great system overall.
And yeah, I should be able to get on Bubbas skinflint list also.

Have a good one Rex.
Getting older and still not down here.

Rolly

Oct 25, 2006, 6:51 AM

Post #9 of 11 (3698 views)

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Re: [Ron Pickering W3FJW] Vonage

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I am another happy Skype user. I have both Skype out and in. I have an in number in a Los Angeles area code so friends and relatives can call me 'for free.' I'm very pleased with it. I use a microphone and speakers for comfortable, hands-free operation. I like using the speakers because I can adjust the volume to suit my failing hearing. The quality is better than the telephone.

Rolly Pirate

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Oct 25, 2006, 12:34 PM

Post #10 of 11 (3677 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Vonage

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I have to agree with you on all counts Rolly. I've been looking for an inexpensive service for many years. I hadn't known about Skype until it was mentioned on this forum a few months back. That repaid my fees for MexConnect.
For years I'd been paying $21 to $39 per month just so I had a phone # so the VA could remind me about upcoming appointments and the tinfoil salesmen could try to sell me some siding for a house which I no longer have, and so I could order meds every three months. and the occasional call to a 1-800 number. There's enuff volume on the phone for me (so far) and as you say, the quality isn't the best, but it's satifactory for my needs. Guess you could say I'm tickled pink about Skype.

Have a good day.
Getting older and still not down here.

Papirex

Jun 3, 2007, 2:24 PM

Post #11 of 11 (3606 views)

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Re: [Ron Pickering W3FJW] Vonage

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I know I am replying to an old post here, but yesterday I received an Email from Skype that I have copied and posted below. There was some discussion about how long any pre-paid Skype-out credits would be usable until Skype deleted them last October.

I had been keeping a record of the last call I made so I could make another call to preserve any remaining credits. This is the first time that I have waited five months to make a Skype-out call, and the first time Skype has sent me an Email reminder.

Now that I know they will send me a reminder, I am not going to keep a record of when I made the last call, or worry about my precious six Bucks anymore.

Gotta go now, I need to call one of my kids in California to preserve my membership in the skinflint club.

Rex

========================================================================
============== THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE, DO NOT REPLY ==============
========================================================================

Hi there (my full name was here),

It appears that you haven't used any of your Skype Credit for a while now. Skype expires inactive credit balances and you have 30 days left to take action to keep your credit.

Your account details:

Skype Name: (my user name was here)
Balance: USD 6.51
Expiry date: 2007-07-01

=== What to do to keep your credits? ===

Simple, here's a list of actions that will extend your credit account for another 180 days:

- Call a phone, even if the call lasts for just one second.
- Send an SMS message.
- Buy an avatar, picture or a ringtone to personalise your Skype.
- Purchase a SkypeIn number, Skype Voicemail or Gift Certificate.

=== What are the rules for Skype Credit expiry? ===

1. Skype Credit expires 180 days after your last credit purchase or action that used credit – e.g. SkypeOut call, SMS message.
2. Each purchase, call or SMS message resets the expiry time to 180 days.
3. Unfortunately, if you don't use your remaining credit we will expire the balance to comply with normal business accounting rules.
4. We don’t want you to lose your credit so we send reminder emails 30 days, seven days and 72 hours before your credit expires.

Once again, you have 30 days until your balance expires.

You can view your account details and previous purchases at: http://www.skype.com/go/myaccount

Until next time,

The people at Skype

== Getting help for Skype ==

While you cannot reply to this email, you can contact us through our Help section at http://www.skype.com/help for assistance. You can also visit our forums at http://www.skype.com/go/forum.

========================================================================
========================= PROTECT YOUR PASSWORD ========================
========================================================================

Skype or Skype Staff will NEVER ask you for your password via email. The only place you are asked for your password is when you sign in to the Skype application or our website. You will always sign in via a secure connection, and we ask you to ensure that the address in your browser's address bar begins exactly like this --> https://secure.skype.com -- and that your browser is showing a little padlock symbol to indicate the secure connection.

It is just a machine sending and receiving these emails, so please don't reply. See our Help section at http://www.skype.com/help or our forums at http://www.skype.com/go/forum for more information.

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

(This post was edited by RexC on Jun 3, 2007, 2:34 PM)