Vonage

[Oz]

P.S. You have a great Avatar. One of the best on somd.com

If it's like the last time when GMP "acquired" the cable system, all that changed were the logos. The ownership simply changed the name, but the same folks in PA still own it. I wonder if this is another one of those acquisitions to make it look like something is being changed with our cable system.

PS. Thanks for the note about the OZVatar.

 

[sleuth]

I'd like to go the other way... Get rid of my $84 per month cable modem and go Verizon DSL.

I'd like to do that myself...
but I don't want to sign up for phone service.

Right now I pay $93 a month for cable and cable internet.
A few months ago, after they raised the rates from $70, I called and tried to downgrade my service, because the only channels I ever watch are Fox News, HGTV, TLC, the WB, Spike TV, and UPN. I was hoping to find a package that would have those.

It turned out that my deal, where I had every channel known to man, was the best price I could get.

I know Verizon offers DSL for $29.99 a month.
If I could get that without signing up for phone service, AND find a decent TV option cheaper than the remaining $63, I'd sign up. But so far, I haven't found satellite options that don't have huge installation fees, nor has verizon made it possible to get DSL without getting phone service (even though it's technically possible).

 

[Oz]

If I thought that Direcway would be faster (it's about 400k) I'd install that and be ahead of the game in 15 months. Unfortunately, I keep thinking that by waiting, DSL technology will finally reach my home. I'm about 1000 feet beyond their service range. The longer I wait, the more money I give to the cable company. If I weren't so impatient, I'd just go back to dialup...

 

[911Carrera]

If I thought that Direcway would be faster (it's about 400k) I'd install that and be ahead of the game in 15 months. Unfortunately, I keep thinking that by waiting, DSL technology will finally reach my home. I'm about 1000 feet beyond their service range. The longer I wait, the more money I give to the cable company. If I weren't so impatient, I'd just go back to dialup...

I had heard that DirectWay is expensive to install and the monthly costs are high, too. It's also slow compared to Broadband. Most people aren't happy with it unless they live in a very remote location and have no option at all.

I believe that GMP could be making some changes soon under the new company. Internet changes may be on the horizon. The new company has a strong focus on technology (Internet, High-Definition channels etc).

GMP recently increased the standard Internet speed from 768K to 1.5 Meg and left the price the same. More of these positive changes may be coming sooner rather than later.

That woman in Oz's Avatar never gets tired!

 

[pappascw]

Hey 911 you are hearing the same info I'm hearing, good to know most of it's true unless were getting from the same source. To start more rumors I also hear higher bandwidth speeds, Video On Demand and VOIP are just a few of the things coming. I will never get DSL, verizon can't even get caller id working for me so I'm tied into GMP. Ever since the rebuild things have been rock solid!

 

[woodchuck70]

I have AT&T Call Advantage as my VOIP solution, and I love it. As for the 911 thing the only issue is if you are getting a new number. I had my existing Verizon number moved over, the reason for the problem is that 911 is tied into an address database system, so if you call from a number that isn't connected to a certain street address they can't respond.

But money wise, $30 a month for GMP Internet (no TV, I have DirectTV for that) and Less than $30 for phone which is a little more than $20 less than what I was paying for Verizon Freedom package. And I get all of the same stuff VM, Caller ID, plus I get conf calling, call forwarding, and can get my VM emailed to me if I need too. Plus I have the phone's set so if the cable is out it forwards my calls to my cell so I don't miss anything. And AT&T is well known so you don't have to worry about them locking their doors all of a sudden.

 

[virgovictoria]

I have no value added comment - I just like the catchy tune in the commercials!

 

[Railroad]

If I thought that Direcway would be faster (it's about 400k) I'd install that and be ahead of the game in 15 months. Unfortunately, I keep thinking that by waiting, DSL technology will finally reach my home. I'm about 1000 feet beyond their service range. The longer I wait, the more money I give to the cable company. If I weren't so impatient, I'd just go back to dialup...

I have DirecWay (had to get it because I work from home). Mine is one of the new broadband systems and it transmits and receives directly with the satellite (no phone line links at all). I'm very pleased with the service and rarely notice any slowdowns. I'm buying the equipment as part of my monthly bill. The monthly cost for a business account is about $119 a month for the first year, then it drops to something like $40 when the equipment is paid for.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

you can't dial 911 with it

I saw this on the news this morning. A lil girl in TX couldn't dial 911 when both her parents were shot. You have to subscribe to a 911 service. Vonage is in trouble for not making this more readily known!!

 

[Railroad]

I saw this on the news this morning. A lil girl in TX couldn't dial 911 when both her parents were shot. You have to subscribe to a 911 service. Vonage is in trouble for not making this more readily known!!

You know, if I were a phone service provider (landline or wireless) and didn't include 911 service as part of the basic package at no extra cost, I'd have trouble sleeping at night. It seems to me that any responsible adult would feel the same way.

 

[mAlice]

I saw this on the news this morning. A lil girl in TX couldn't dial 911 when both her parents were shot. You have to subscribe to a 911 service. Vonage is in trouble for not making this more readily known!!

Vonage won't get out of this. The little girl had nothing to do with the information buried in the fine print. Does anyone in the civilized world pay to reach emergency services? You don't even need coinage to dial them from a pay phone.

 

[Ken King]

Does anyone in the civilized world pay to reach emergency services?

I do, every month as a tax added on to my phone bill.

People using other forms of telephone service need to be aware of this and that the 911 service might not be available. Does dialing "0" still get you an operator with these cable services?

 

[mAlice]

I do, every month as a tax added on to my phone bill.

People using other forms of telephone service need to be aware of this and that the 911 service might not be available. Does dialing "0" still get you an operator with these cable services?

That's paying for the existence of emergency phone lines, not the ability to contact them. I don't see it as the same thing.

 

[Oz]

I thought Vonage could be programmed to interpret 911 and call the local police, fire or rescue as programmed?? If that's the case, then the folks who bought the service didn't completely set it up, giving them no one else to blame.

 

[CMC122]

I thought Vonage could be programmed to interpret 911 and call the local police, fire or rescue as programmed?? If that's the case, then the folks who bought the service didn't completely set it up, giving them no one else to blame.

With Vonage that option is not available in all area's of service

 

[mAlice]

http://www.vonage.com/products_premium.php

With the Vonage Premium Unlimited Plan you can make unlimited calls anywhere in the United States and Canada for the low price of $24.99 a month.

http://www.vonage.com/features.php?feature=911

 

[Ken King]

That's paying for the existence of emergency phone lines, not the ability to contact them. I don't see it as the same thing.

Sorry Elaine but I think you are wrong.

911 FEE (25¢ State Fee) -The Maryland General Assembly established the 911 Emergency Telephone Systems Trust Fund in 1980, that is funded by a monthly fee billed to all Maryland telephone subscribers. Revenues from the fund are used in connection with establishing, expanding and maintaining the Emergency telephone number 911 service throughout the State. The State fee is 25¢. The customer will be billed the State fee in addition to a County fee. The County fee will vary by County, not to exceed $0.75.

 

[mAlice]

Sorry Elaine but I think you are wrong.

911 FEE (25¢ State Fee) -The Maryland General Assembly established the 911 Emergency Telephone Systems Trust Fund in 1980, that is funded by a monthly fee billed to all Maryland telephone subscribers. Revenues from the fund are used in connection with establishing, expanding and maintaining the Emergency telephone number 911 service throughout the State. The State fee is 25¢. The customer will be billed the State fee in addition to a County fee. The County fee will vary by County, not to exceed $0.75.

That reads like I'm thinking. What am I missing?

 

[Chasey_Lane]

That reads like I'm thinking. What am I missing?

I read it the same.

 

[Ken King]

That reads like I'm thinking. What am I missing?

Well I read your initial comment as saying we don't pay for 911 emergency telephone services and showed that we in fact are taxed for those services specifically. The phone lines have been in place forever, even back when you used to click the receiver for the operator or simply dialed "O" to get one. We pay for the service so that no matter where you are when you dial 911 you get the appropriate Emergency Services operator.

It's not that big of a deal as all I am saying is that we do pay for the convenience of being able to just dial 911.