[poundwise]

I made the switch from phone company land-line to Vonage about two and a half years ago. I have zero regrets and have saved tremendously compared to my former phone and long distance expenses.

Caveat #1: You need a good broadband connection. 'Lite' cable/DSL service with very low upload throughput will not typically work well. Pay attention to upload speeds because most broadband service has plenty of download ability but some are lacking for upload speed. For example, a connection that has 3mbps down and 128kbps up likely won't perform as well with VoIP as one that has 1.5mbps down and 256kbps up, even though the former is considered the 'faster' service.

Caveat #2: If you lose power, you lose phone service. Most people who have cordless phones experience this anyway and, as a result, some people keep a corded phone around to plug in if needed. With VoIP, you lose the use of the phone not only because of power loss to the phone but also because of power loss to your broadband modem and the VoIP device. This can be overcome by using a UPS. Other people just turn to their cell in such an event.

Caveat #3: Keeping your current phone number can be delayed/can be a hassle. If you buy a Vonage device, for instance, tonight, you can set up and be using your phone tonight with your new number and incoming call ability also being set up quickly. If you want to keep your current number, it can take a while to get that latter part established. New rules about phone number portability, in general, and the prevalence of people going VoIP with providers or through the cable company, etc. have sped this up a bit in the last year or so.

A misleading caveat: A lot of people complain about 911 service as if it were a major problem with VoIP. Fact is, Vonage offers enhanced 911 access. All you have to do is set it up properly; providing your address information accurately, and there should be no problem in the event that you need to use it. Where it could become a problem is if/when you travel with your VoIP device and use it in another location. If you use the device in this manner, you would need to update the info for 911 service, otherwise, if 911 is dialed, the info transmitted with be incorrect. Otherwise, this really isn't a problem any longer as it was when VoIP was in it's infancy.

All things considered, I am completely satisfied with my service and have no intention of ever having a phone company land-line again.

I highly recommend VoIP, in general, and Vonage, in particular.