When we moved, we decided to get a “home” phone in addition to our individual cell phones. We decided to use VOIP, rather than a “legacy” phone service; we went w/ Vonage (in part because they have a very slick ad campaign). To their credit, it’s very easy to set up an account, and we were up & running in minutes. To their discredit, it’s very difficult to cancel an account. Plus, who needs a “home” phone anyhow?
We both have cell phones, which we can take w/ us everywhere we go. Sometimes we don’t take our cell phone, which is usually when we don’t want to be bothered. In those cases, there’s always voice mail. I also have an office phone number (which also has voicemail). So why do we need yet another phone number? Especially one that only works when we’re at home. Frankly, I never even checked the voice mail. I can’t remember the last time anyone called me on it (and I’ve never used it to call out).
I’m sure VOIP phones (like standard “legacy” phone lines) have their uses. But, frankly, I can’t imagine what they might be. Maybe when we have kids between the ages of 5-12 it might be useful, for the kids to call each other to see if they can “come out to play” or something. But I figure by then kids will be have their own cell phones, or they’ll just email or instant message each other.
But I’m mostly bothered by how difficult it was to cancel the service. You can’t do it online; you have to call someone. It took me two days to get a live person on the phone to cancel my account. I had to suffer through several sales pitches on why I “need” this service. And I had to pay a $40 fee to cancel my membership. Lovely.
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PS. Before getting Vonage, I had’t had a “home” phone in more than seven years. I think that was the right decision, now more than ever.
Skype is the way to go - no monthly fee to use (although there is if you want a permanent ##), and the international rates are pretty good. I use it to call my parents overseas all the time - they even waived fees for calls on mothers day.
Looking forward to hearing your dispatches from Bolivia.
I'll try to post from Bolivia, but no guarantees. Most of the time I'll be spending time w/ family & friends (so my "writing" will mostly be in notes to my Moleskin notebook). But I'll try.
I'll consider Skype (I've used it in the past; it's OK). But I mostly just call my parents by cell phone. Or we just email (my parents are pretty "wired" for people their age; my mom even has her own blog).