PLDT DSL and Vonage

[john_and_marlene 162]

My wife's family is getting DSL on their PLDT line. We are thinking about getting a Vonage VoIP with a local number for us and sending it to her family so we can call back and forth as a local call.

Who else has done something similar?

How was the quality of the calls?

Did you use VoIP from some service other than Vonage?

I'm not looking for suggestions other than VoIP. I don't want to use Skype. I don't want to use PinoyCalls. I don't want them to have to leave a computer on all the time. I don't want them to use a bag cell phone or antenna or local cell service. I'm interested only in VoIP services using the DSL.

[payxibka 10,044]

voip.com I have had no issues with this other than an occasional "reboot" of the voip device... (takes 30 seconds)

plugs into the router not the computer like magicjack

[john_and_marlene 162]

voip.com I have had no issues with this other than an occasional "reboot" of the voip device... (takes 30 seconds)

plugs into the router not the computer like magicjack

Looks good, but I need to hear from someone that is using the device in the Philippines with PLDT DSL. I want to make sure there is no block.

[mRs StOcKwElL 1]

My wife's family is getting DSL on their PLDT line. We are thinking about getting a Vonage VoIP with a local number for us and sending it to her family so we can call back and forth as a local call.

Who else has done something similar?

How was the quality of the calls?

Did you use VoIP from some service other than Vonage?

I'm not looking for suggestions other than VoIP. I don't want to use Skype. I don't want to use PinoyCalls. I don't want them to have to leave a computer on all the time. I don't want them to use a bag cell phone or antenna or local cell service. I'm interested only in VoIP services using the DSL.

My boss and her bestfriend are using vonage in the Philippines..and it's very nice they can call me anytime...but I don't know if we are the one calling them from here...coz i tried 2 times and there was a bill that appearsl...maybe the best is them to call us here in US...

very good reception, it's just the same calling within US...very clear conversation...but I guess that depends on the internet connection. be sure to get a good quality of internet connection in the philippines.

Edited January 14, 2009 by mRs StOcKwElL

[PingLocalHostess 1]

I used Vonage when i was in the Philippines. It had a US TX number. It works. Its plug and play. You dont have to install anything on your computer (unlike MaJic Jack). You can call any US number for free and unlimited 24/7.

Once you subscribe to Vonage, they will send you a voice gateway (its like a router except it transmit digitized voice as a form of data). That voice gateway's mac address should be registered to Vonage with a preset-up US area code. So DONT buy your own voice gateway, let vonage send you one so you dont have to worry about compatibility or firmware issues. When you receive it, test it first. So you know it works before you send it off. I dont know if they still send Motorolla VT2142.

Shut down everything. So you just need to plug in the modem's ethernet port (usually yellow) to the voice gateway's internet port (usually blue). Then you plug in the computer to the ethernet port of the voice gateway (usually yellow). If you have a router, plug in the router's ethernet port (usually yellow) to the internet port (usually blue) of the voice gateway. Then plug in a regular (RJ11) phone to phone port 1. Restart with the modem first, then the voice gateway and the computer last. If you look at the lights, the power light should stop blinking, both ethernet and internet light should be lit then phone 1 should be lit. Check the phone if it has a dial tone. If it does then it works.

Tips: Its good that you chose PLDT dsl. Dont pick the measly packages. I suggest subscribe to anything not lower than 1 mbps. Why? Coz if someone uses the computer like play an online game or downloads movies or music... the line will be choppy if the speed is low. But mind you, it still works even without a computer plugged into it.

When you send it, use a private courier like fed-ex. Its fragile. And declare it as a gift or else she'll be paying major taxes (like i did).

I hope that helped you a bit.

Edited January 14, 2009 by PingLocalHostess

[EddieandChe 0]

I used Vonage when i was in the Philippines. It had a US TX number. It works. Its plug and play. You dont have to install anything on your computer (unlike MaJic Jack). You can call any US number for free and unlimited 24/7.

Once you subscribe to Vonage, they will send you a voice gateway (its like a router except it transmit digitized voice as a form of data). That voice gateway's mac address should be registered to Vonage with a preset-up US area code. So DONT buy your own voice gateway, let vonage send you one so you dont have to worry about compatibility or firmware issues. When you receive it, test it first. So you know it works before you send it off. I dont know if they still send Motorolla VT2142.

Shut down everything. So you just need to plug in the modem's ethernet port (usually yellow) to the voice gateway's internet port (usually blue). Then you plug in the computer to the ethernet port of the voice gateway (usually yellow). If you have a router, plug in the router's ethernet port (usually yellow) to the internet port (usually blue) of the voice gateway. Then plug in a regular (RJ11) phone to phone port 1. Restart with the modem first, then the voice gateway and the computer last. If you look at the lights, the power light should stop blinking, both ethernet and internet light should be lit then phone 1 should be lit. Check the phone if it has a dial tone. If it does then it works.

Tips: Its good that you chose PLDT dsl. Dont pick the measly packages. I suggest subscribe to anything not lower than 1 mbps. Why? Coz if someone uses the computer like play an online game or downloads movies or music... the line will be choppy if the speed is low. But mind you, it still works even without a computer plugged into it.

When you send it, use a private courier like fed-ex. Its fragile. And declare it as a gift or else she'll be paying major taxes (like i did).

I hope that helped you a bit.

Tnx for the info coz im planning to subscribe to Vonage b4 we're going to PI..btw,once you subscribe/order (vonage) how many days it will arrive?and then how much?tnx in advance!

[o0pink0o 3]

My family in PI is using PLDT DSL and Vonage. We don't have any complaints in using Vonage. The line is clear, i can call them anytime i want and so they are to me, unlimited call, cheap monthly fee and the call center agents of Vonage are Filipinos so it is easy to talk to them plus they can call our relatives in London too

The only down side that we encountered is that you need to restart your Vonage box and router if there is a power glitch but what the heck! it will only take you a min or 2 to do that so that doesn't bother us at all hehe.

At first, we were thinking of using Magic Jack caz the price is really cheap but one time, i got disappointed with it when a friend of mine from PI called me here in the US using Magic Jack. The line was chappy and i have heard that you can not use it unless your PC is on so we end up using vonage and i am glad that we made the right choice.

Well, i just shared what i experienced

[o0pink0o 3]

I used Vonage when i was in the Philippines. It had a US TX number. It works. Its plug and play. You dont have to install anything on your computer (unlike MaJic Jack). You can call any US number for free and unlimited 24/7.

Once you subscribe to Vonage, they will send you a voice gateway (its like a router except it transmit digitized voice as a form of data). That voice gateway's mac address should be registered to Vonage with a preset-up US area code. So DONT buy your own voice gateway, let vonage send you one so you dont have to worry about compatibility or firmware issues. When you receive it, test it first. So you know it works before you send it off. I dont know if they still send Motorolla VT2142.

Shut down everything. So you just need to plug in the modem's ethernet port (usually yellow) to the voice gateway's internet port (usually blue). Then you plug in the computer to the ethernet port of the voice gateway (usually yellow). If you have a router, plug in the router's ethernet port (usually yellow) to the internet port (usually blue) of the voice gateway. Then plug in a regular (RJ11) phone to phone port 1. Restart with the modem first, then the voice gateway and the computer last. If you look at the lights, the power light should stop blinking, both ethernet and internet light should be lit then phone 1 should be lit. Check the phone if it has a dial tone. If it does then it works.

Tips: Its good that you chose PLDT dsl. Dont pick the measly packages. I suggest subscribe to anything not lower than 1 mbps. Why? Coz if someone uses the computer like play an online game or downloads movies or music... the line will be choppy if the speed is low. But mind you, it still works even without a computer plugged into it.

When you send it, use a private courier like fed-ex. Its fragile. And declare it as a gift or else she'll be paying major taxes (like i did).

I hope that helped you a bit.

I agree with her. Test your Vonage device first before sending it to PI and configure it here in the US so that they won't have a hard time setting it up. Actually it is very easy to install it but the thing is, you still need to call Vonage to activate it even it is already been configured here in the US

[PingLocalHostess 1]

Tnx for the info coz im planning to subscribe to Vonage b4 we're going to PI..btw,once you subscribe/order (vonage) how many days it will arrive?and then how much?tnx in advance!

You can subscribe to the $24.99 plan, one month free. Its has unlimited calls to any US number. You will get the voice gateway within 3-5 business days. You can visit this website: http://www.vonage.com/

I dont know how much they are charging for installation and for the voice gateway right now. You can call their toll free number.

[taj'samericanwife 0]

how does it work? is it like magic jack where you buy two phones and we have to use internet connection in order to get unlimited calls...i also want to buy one for the philippines...

[PingLocalHostess 1]

how does it work? is it like magic jack where you buy two phones and we have to use internet connection in order to get unlimited calls...i also want to buy one for the philippines...

No its not like majic jack. You have to install a software in your computer so majic jack will work. You dont have to install a software in your computer for vonage.

You plug in majic jack to the computer thru usb port. The vonage voice gateway will be plugged directly to the modem (like a router) and the computer is plugged into the vonage voice gateway using ethernet ports.

The trick with vonage is make sure the voice gateway that you requested from them has the same area code as your US number. So it will be like landline to landline. The distance doesnt matter coz its thru your internet connection. You dont have to get two vonage voice gateways coz any US number, mobile or land line, can call the vonage line and the vonage line can call any US number, landline or mobile. If you subscribe to the unlimited plan then the vonage line can call any number in the US unlimited...24/7.

If you arent in the US then you can get 2 vonage voice gateways with US numbers and they both can call each other. All you need is dsl/cable internet connections.

[taj'samericanwife 0]

i see...how much is that unlimited plan of vonage...is it the 24.99 per month? so i just have to get one vonage here, do all the software stuff here in the united states and send it to the philippines?

my husband and i chat but its so hard to stay on the computer all the time using headphones and talking so loud in order for us to hear each other...

and with vonage i can call him too anytime right?

[PingLocalHostess 1]

i see...how much is that unlimited plan of vonage...is it the 24.99 per month? so i just have to get one vonage here, do all the software stuff here in the united states and send it to the philippines?

my husband and i chat but its so hard to stay on the computer all the time using headphones and talking so loud in order for us to hear each other...

and with vonage i can call him too anytime right?

You visit the website for the exact rate. http://www.vonage.com/ The unlimited plan is $24.99.

You can subscribe to vonage. Request an area code the same as yours so it'll be a US number. They'll configure it for you. Test it when you get it... then send it to PH. Yes, you can call the vonage line anytime and the vonage line can call you anytime too as long as the dont shut off the modem where the voice gateway is connected to. On the vonage line, it'll be unlimited (if you get the unlimited plan) calls to US numbers. It can make international calls but with minimal charges.

(I feel like im endorsing this one Lol!)

[ishom 0]

I have a vonage....and its really great coz i can call my husband anytime and vice versa...We subscribed on unlimited plan, which is $24.99 per month so no limit.........My husband just buy the product in best buy or i think wal-mart then call the vonage to activate it then sent to me thru LBC..Im only using Smart broadband connection its the only available connection in my place. The problem is if no connection or down and no power( electricity) no vonage connection u cant call...