New Provider? (Phone Power) - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Tato · 2012-08-16, 10:14 AM

I recently found and switched from Vonage to Phone Power. I switched mainly because of the cost, Vonage was getting too expensive. HAd to pay for the softphone and couldn't use the extra line I had in the ATA. These folks have something I thouhgt was neat, you clone your ports line from your ATA so you can make simultanous outbound calls on both lines (but receive only on one - though both phone ring) for my work is ideal and the softphone is actually free. They also ported my number for free. In terms of costs the Vonage World plan was about $450 per year, single line and no softphone - with these folks it will be about $260 per year (international plan) and all the usual features plus the cloned line and softphone. I had them for a week and thus far no complains - well the only is that sometimes calls seem a bit noisy but that I had with Vonage dialing the same numbers (I had hoped it would be better but is not)

Anyone else using them? I have read reviews but are mainly from customers in the States and seemed to be good.

ScaryBob · 2012-08-16, 12:57 PM

I looked at this provider as well. The only way to get a decent rate is to pay for two years in advance. Once that is up, there is no guarantee that rate will be available again. Their monthly rate is not that good, even with a long term commitment. The free cloned line feature is nice but is available elsewhere at lower rates. Then there are the "surcharges" that add almost 30% to the final price. I decided to pass.

Tato · 2012-08-16, 03:03 PM

Hey ScaryBob,

Thanks for your insight. Surcharges more or less everyone charges them eh? Rather pay at once eitherway from where I was coming from was/is still considerable cheaper (about 70% less IF consider all paid features @ Vonage) and it added features for free, I really was looking for the softphone as often I'm away and need to find away to use my home office line (didn't feel like traveling with my ATA

) I find it expensive at Vonage... The cloned line was a neat added benefit, when I looked at Vonage they would have me add another line..

Indeed I have pre-paid, though the plan I chose is for one year actually (international calling) and if there's no deal at time of renewal there that looks reasonable/attractive well I guess have to just shop around and switch. Just found out they also have an iPhone app, which is useless for me - they are coming out with an Android app soon ... apparently had been in beta testing but I have not managed to download it so can't really comment on it.

JamesK · 2012-08-19, 07:34 AM

^^^^
You might consider Dell Voice. It's available for smart phones and Windows.

Tato · 2012-08-19, 10:44 AM

I did tried Dell Voice - but I can safely said it just not reliable. Had tons of quality issues. Can't use it for work. May be is the device and service provider I'm using?? (Motorola & Telus)Though not even on WiFi things got better. I have also looked at SIPdroid and some newer devices that support Android ICS or JB that have native SIP support - but looks like that implementation is a hit an miss still... I'll stick for the time being with a solid/reliable softphone from my notebook. Btw, the other day I discovered I can record conversation from the softphone. Did not pay attention to that option before though could be handy for some conference calls!

ScaryBob · 2012-08-19, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Surcharges more or less everyone charges them eh?

Not everyone. It is common practice to quote low rates and then inflate the end cost with bogus charges. If it isn't a local sales tax that's legally due, it's usually bogus. As soon as I see questionable extra charges, that company is disqualified from getting my business.

Tato · 2012-08-20, 12:47 PM

Quote:

As soon as I see questionable extra charges, that company is disqualified from getting my business

Fair enough, your choice entirly.. now any Canadian user's of Phone Power? The idea was/is to have actual users relate their experiences good or bad. My own thus far, well I can't complaint but is just a couple of weeks old... I did had an issue yesterday where calls would not connect and getting dial tone was random, but turned out to be a Rogers Internet related issue. Their support service was very responsive, Rogers on the other hand about 30' into the call they recognized they were having some issues on the fiber node that serves my vicinity... anyhow whatever it was it was sorted in a few hours from Rogers side - they were quick to point the issue.

2012-08-16, 10:14 AM	#1
Tato Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 77	New Provider? (Phone Power) I recently found and switched from Vonage to Phone Power. I switched mainly because of the cost, Vonage was getting too expensive. HAd to pay for the softphone and couldn't use the extra line I had in the ATA. These folks have something I thouhgt was neat, you clone your ports line from your ATA so you can make simultanous outbound calls on both lines (but receive only on one - though both phone ring) for my work is ideal and the softphone is actually free. They also ported my number for free. In terms of costs the Vonage World plan was about $450 per year, single line and no softphone - with these folks it will be about $260 per year (international plan) and all the usual features plus the cloned line and softphone. I had them for a week and thus far no complains - well the only is that sometimes calls seem a bit noisy but that I had with Vonage dialing the same numbers (I had hoped it would be better but is not) Anyone else using them? I have read reviews but are mainly from customers in the States and seemed to be good.

2012-08-16, 12:57 PM	#2
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	I looked at this provider as well. The only way to get a decent rate is to pay for two years in advance. Once that is up, there is no guarantee that rate will be available again. Their monthly rate is not that good, even with a long term commitment. The free cloned line feature is nice but is available elsewhere at lower rates. Then there are the "surcharges" that add almost 30% to the final price. I decided to pass. __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

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2012-08-16, 03:03 PM	#3
Tato Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 77	Hey ScaryBob, Thanks for your insight. Surcharges more or less everyone charges them eh? Rather pay at once eitherway from where I was coming from was/is still considerable cheaper (about 70% less IF consider all paid features @ Vonage) and it added features for free, I really was looking for the softphone as often I'm away and need to find away to use my home office line (didn't feel like traveling with my ATA ) I find it expensive at Vonage... The cloned line was a neat added benefit, when I looked at Vonage they would have me add another line.. Indeed I have pre-paid, though the plan I chose is for one year actually (international calling) and if there's no deal at time of renewal there that looks reasonable/attractive well I guess have to just shop around and switch. Just found out they also have an iPhone app, which is useless for me - they are coming out with an Android app soon ... apparently had been in beta testing but I have not managed to download it so can't really comment on it.

2012-08-19, 07:34 AM	#4
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,089	^^^^ You might consider Dell Voice. It's available for smart phones and Windows.

2012-08-19, 10:44 AM	#5
Tato Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 77	I did tried Dell Voice - but I can safely said it just not reliable. Had tons of quality issues. Can't use it for work. May be is the device and service provider I'm using?? (Motorola & Telus)Though not even on WiFi things got better. I have also looked at SIPdroid and some newer devices that support Android ICS or JB that have native SIP support - but looks like that implementation is a hit an miss still... I'll stick for the time being with a solid/reliable softphone from my notebook. Btw, the other day I discovered I can record conversation from the softphone. Did not pay attention to that option before though could be handy for some conference calls!