BajaNomad

Vonage or OOMA?

SDRonni - 9-15-2009 at 07:55 PM

What has been your experience with these two VOIP phone systems? Do you take your equipment with you from US to Mexico when you travel there? Any problems or great things you can tell me about?
Thanks!

CaboRon - 9-15-2009 at 09:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SDRonni
What has been your experience with these two VOIP phone systems? Do you take your equipment with you from US to Mexico when you travel there? Any problems or great things you can tell me about?
Thanks!


I use Skype ... no equipment to carry ...

24baja - 9-15-2009 at 09:32 PM

We use skype also, and carry our computer.

[Edited on 9-16-2009 by 24baja]

slimshady - 9-15-2009 at 10:00 PM

I have Vonage on my USA phone with two lines and one for fax. I have a skype phone and use my Iphone skype application when wifi is available. If none is available I then use my Mexican cell phone for local calls.

Cardon Man - 9-16-2009 at 06:35 AM

Another skype user here.

mulegejim - 9-16-2009 at 07:10 AM

I use Skype also when in Baja - works very well for me. At home, in California, I set Skype to forward to my home phone, which is Vonage, and after several rings there I have Vonage forward to my cell phone. That way my friends in Mexico can simply Skype me and the call will get to me no matter where I am. The call is free to them and only costs me two cents a minute if the call is forwarded to the home phone.

Paulclark - 9-16-2009 at 07:56 AM

Magic Jack works well -- $20 for the phone jack and $20/year for unlimited calling.

shari - 9-16-2009 at 07:59 AM

I am soooo happy with my Magic jack and what's neat is that you can use it on any computer, has voice mail and I can use a normal phone...it is a normal 2 way conversation with no delay...and you can choose your area code number too...way cool.

bonanza bucko - 9-16-2009 at 08:04 AM

If you have a Sat internet connection...as we do in Baja....I understand that the UPLINK from our computer is slow and that makes the voice quality at the CALLED end....here in the US...bad. What is your experience?

CaboRon - 9-16-2009 at 08:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bonanza bucko
If you have a Sat internet connection...as we do in Baja....I understand that the UPLINK from our computer is slow and that makes the voice quality at the CALLED end....here in the US...bad. What is your experience?


Generally unsatisfactory and expensive experience with Sat upllinks ....

DENNIS - 9-16-2009 at 08:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
I am soooo happy with my Magic jack and what's neat is that you can use it on any computer, has voice mail and I can use a normal phone...it is a normal 2 way conversation with no delay...and you can choose your area code number too...way cool.


I use it also. 59 bucks for 5 years. Almost free.
As we have pointed out in the past, the computer has to be on to receive calls. if it's off, you get it through voice mail with an email notification.
For me, it's perfect since most of my calls are outgoing.

Paulclark - 9-16-2009 at 08:37 AM

VOIP with a satelite connection is not great, ---but if I use it at night or when the uplink speed is fast I get a good clear, no lag connection. I have tried Skype, Vonage and Magic Jack and they are all the same over a satelite link.

DENNIS - 9-16-2009 at 08:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulclark
VOIP with a satelite connection is not great, ---but if I use it at night or when the uplink speed is fast I get a good clear, no lag connection. I have tried Skype, Vonage and Magic Jack and they are all the same over a satelite link.


Yeah...folks around here have complained about using MJ with Starband. Less than perfect.

BCSTech - 9-16-2009 at 11:34 AM

Both StarBand and HughesNet provide generally lousy performance with VoIP. But there are other "VSAT" satellite Internet alternatives available that work really well. More expensive systems but designed to work with VoIP telephone services.

U2U me or send an Email if you need more info.

larryC - 9-17-2009 at 03:51 PM

Lately I have found that with starband switching to a new satellite that my MJ works really well, or atleast acceptable. When the switch is completed I suspect that the service will suffer some. Hope not, I am enjoying it while it lasts.
Larry

[Edited on 9-18-2009 by larryC]

bajalorena - 9-17-2009 at 09:53 PM

We use Vonage (for 5 years now), leave it in Mexico, and forward it to our cell phone when in the States.

SDRonni - 9-18-2009 at 09:14 AM

Bajalorena:

If you wanted to, could you have Vonage at home here and ALSO in Mexico and just take the thing w/you?

k-rico - 9-18-2009 at 09:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SDRonni
Bajalorena:

If you wanted to, could you have Vonage at home here and ALSO in Mexico and just take the thing w/you?


Absolutely. I've used mine in both the US and Mex.

karenintx - 9-18-2009 at 10:03 AM

We take our Vonage router back and forth...it is small enough to fit into my purse.


.

bajalorena - 9-18-2009 at 10:04 AM

yes, we have done that in the past, but are in the States for just a short time, so it is easier for us to just forward it.