VoIP Services Using Vonage

Looking at Skype vs Vonage debate, both are VoIP phone service providers that work on many types of home phones, computer systems, and mobile devices.

Although both services use VoIP, both have many differences. Skype uses a peer-to-peer network with encryption to manage calls, while Vonage uses Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) without encryption to make phone calls.

What is Vonage?

Vonage is one of the largest internet telephone service providers in the United States with approximately 2.4 million subscribers. They provide phone service to its subscribers by way of VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol).  This means that all calls are routed through broadband Internet connections

In recent years the company has earn the title of “the broadband phone company” by many and is a leader in the quickly growing industry. Besides the United States they also provide services in both Canada and the United Kingdom. Vonage first came into popularity for its reasonably economical price in contrast to traditional land line phone service in the areas of local, long distance, and international calling.

Despite being a VoIP service they provide nearly all of the features people are used to getting with regular land line services such as caller ID, call waiting, voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting and so much more. Since the company was established there have been a bunch of new VoIP providers, some of which are now offering even lower prices. Vonage is now considered to be priced very averagely when compared to other providers but it more than makes up for this with its excellent reputation, extra and high quality service.

How Does The Service Work?

A broadband Internet connection is required in order for Vonage to work. Once that is in place it can work in two different ways. The first option is for subscribers to get an analog telephone adapter from the company and use it to connect their regular phone to their computer. This allows subscribers to use their regular phone just as they did with a traditional land line. The other option is to get their PC soft phone application which is a computer program that allows you to make phone calls directly through your computer. Both of these options are fairly easy to use and make for an easy transition from your old school land line.

Voicent software for Vonage

You can use Voicent software with Vonage directly. You do not need voice modem and the Vonage router/ATA box. Calls can be directly routed from Voicent software to the Vonage VOIP (SIP) service. The bad news is that, unlike other VOIP services, you must pay extra (have Vonage Softphone feature for your Vonage service) in order to use its SIP service without the ATA box. Standard Vonage service is locked to the router/ATA they send you. It is not possible to connect to it through SIP.