Vonage Service

Unlike Skype, which you can often use without buying any additional equipment, Vonage requires special hardware in order to work. You can chose an Ethernet router with built-in telephone adapter, which is free after a rebate, or you can chose from a variety of other adapters, routers and phones. Another option is to change the phone wiring in your home so that you can use your regular phones plugged into your phone jacks. This is only a good option if you own your home and do not share walls or wiring with neighbors. Finally, you can make calls with a soft phone client similar to the one used for Skype, but this is an add-on service rather than part of the basic package.


The Vonage dashboard.

Once you sign up for a Vonage account, you can use a Web interface to view your call history and change your account settings. This online guided tour can give you a good idea of the options you can add or change online.

After you sign up for your account, Vonage will ship your adapter or other equipment to you. Unless you pay for professional installation, it's up to you to install it and set it up. Exactly what you'll need to do depends on the equipment you choose and the existing equipment in your home. Complete instructions are provided, and setup is usually pretty simple. You'll need to write down the settings you use to connect to your Internet service provider (ISP) before you begin.


The author used a Linksys WRTP54G wireless router for Vonage service.

The Linksys WRTP54G has a port for connection to the Internet, two phone ports and four Ethernet ports.

Skype and Vonage are very different in the equipment required to use them and the cost involved. They also use different methods to make and receive calls, which we'll look at in the next section.

Skype, Vonage and 911
 One of the big differences between Skype and Vonage is the ability to dial 911. Skype is not a home phone replacement -- it's a supplement to your home phone service. One of the reasons why you shouldn't replace your home phone service with Skype is that you cannot use it to dial 911.

Vonage service has 911 capabilities, but the process isn't automatic -- you have to set up and activate the ability to dial 911. Not everyone who uses Vonage has access to E911, which transmits your name and address to the public safety answering point (PSAP) when you call 911. In addition, since Vonage service relies on the Internet and in most cases a powered router, you also will be unable to call 911 if your electricity or Internet connection goes down. As of March 30, 2006, about 70 percent of Vonage customers had access to E911.