Digital Phone?

[Nomo]

Anybody here subscribe to a digital phone service? My cable company offers it. (Time Warner). Saving would be about $15 a month. While 15 bucks is 15 bucks I'm wondering if it would be worth any added hassles.
Any opinions or horror stories would be appriciated.

 

[MDS]

Time Warner has called me three times to ask about digital phone; apparently because I am one that 'subscribes to their high end services'.

The guy assured me that the phone uses different servers and a different network so you dont lose it when the cable goes out. I haven't heard anything bad about the service yet, but I decided against it for now.

 

[rgriffin25]

I have had digital phone with Cox for over a year now. No problems as of yet.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I only know one person who tried it and they switched back after two months citing "technical problems".

Much like cell-phones its probably a good technology to let it mature for a few years.

 

[markw]

Don't drop your POTS line altogether.

Generally, the cheapest wired telephones work in emergency situations since they are not dependnat on power suppklied by your house. They use power supplied by the phone company. As long as the lines are up, they generally have a good chance of working.

If your power goes out, so does your internet line. No cable TV, no internet and no phone. And, even if you're using phone line supplied DSL, your modem is out as well with no power.

Keep one phone with at least minimal service, just in case.

 

[krzywica]

I've got Vonage and I love it! You can check voicemail online from any computer. Also you can check recent calls list online. But like previous posts stated, no power, no phone. Other than that the reception and audible quality is top notch

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

If your power goes out, so does your internet line. No cable TV, no internet and no phone.

News mentioned this just this morning. Said there'd be no calling 911 if power goes out.

 

[markw]

vonage and "e911"

News mentioned this just this morning. Said there'd be no calling 911 if power goes out.

I understand that Vonage offers 911 service as paid option called "e911". ...not part of the base package.

I don't think they make this public since most people "assume" it's part and parcel to all phone services.

If you want this, besure to ask for it.

 

[markw]

HEY! I was at Eglin in 68 - 69.

I've got Vonage and I love it! You can check voicemail online from any computer. Also you can check recent calls list online. But like previous posts stated, no power, no phone. Other than that the reception and audible quality is top notch

Loved that area, particularly Valpariso and FWB. How did y'all make out with Katrina?

 

[hypertech]

I've got Vonage and I don't think there is an extra fee for the e911. I'm pretty sure it is only available in certain places though.

If the power goes out and the line goes down, it automatically forwards calls to my cell.

I like it and at $27 bucks a month including taxes, I get a LOT more features than I used to and save quite a bit of money as well.

 

[krzywica]

Yes e911 is free.

Damn 68 you must be like 90.JK. I went out too okaloosa island during the storm and we had 35' swells. It was madness. Other than that no damage for my house, some on base though(hurlburt field).

 

[scorrpio]

I got digital phone from Cablevision, works fine for me. Far as landlines go, I remember the east coast blackout that happened about a year ago - back then, I had regular phone, and it was as dead as anything else - apparently the facility running phone wire to my house had no power, too. Cell phones worked for a while - guess transmitters have battery backups.

My Optimum Voice package has all the bells and whistles including unlimited nationwide calling, I can hardly complain. And if you live in a blackout-prone area, you might want to invest in a generator and keep a supply of fuel for it.