i'm looking at getting vonage voice over IP. anyone here have it? any comments?

Just got it. Should have done so along time ago. Simple to connect and no noticeable differences. Are you renting?

I've been trying to get my parents to switch to vonage for a while now. All of their services for so much cheaper than what we're paying now. I'm leaving this year, so I'm hoping they switch when I move out, as they're spending way too much on it, now.

Not me, although I have Skype, so I guess I sort of do (but not SkypeIn/Out)

Voice over IP right?

Can someone explain to me what it is?

I don't have it, but i believe it is a service that allows you to make phone calls over the internet at a far reduced price to normal phone service

Yes, its also putting all the phone companies panties in a bunch too.

I've had Vonage for about six months now, and I am very pleased with everything so far. I pay about $17 US per month and I never worry about minutes or long distance charges anymore. The quality is about as good as standard service, but you can balance your quality/bandwidth in your settings on your web-based "dashboard" page. Occasionally something very bizarre happens, but it is very rare (like once every month or two). Small price to pay I suppose for the cash I'm saving. Best of all, I've got about four months of free service coming, due to all the people I've referred.

As for those whistleblowers who say "YOU WILL HAEV NO 911 SERVICE!!!", that is a bunch of uninformed crap. I've had 911 service from day one, it just works a little differently.

I'm loving Vonage

Our family is saving over 25 dollars a month and still gettign unlimited minutes, long distance, all the virtual area codes, etc.

One of the best things about it is that dashboard page. You can look at all the calls you received, it saves *.wav files of all messages left on your phone, it's great. And if your internet ever gets taken down or something goes wrong, it will automatically forward to a phone number of your choice (like your cell phone).

Get it, it's worth it.

Hey, and if you do, contact me first so I can get a month of free service by "referring" you!

How well do the VoIP services work with international numbers? I have family in Poland that I would be interested in calling, but I can't really do it from my cell phone. I'm assuming international long-distance rates are different than North America long distance rates, but I have no idea how they work.

My parents use Skype to call people in the States because it's so incredibly cheaper than calling long distance on a land line.

Does that count?

It works just like a landline but with generaly cheaper rates. Poland is usually $0.06/minute.
http://vonage.com/no_flash/intrates.php?lid=nav_intrates#P