Vonage giving free calls to India

[Ravi]

Went to Vonage.com to check some account related info, and realized that they have started giving free calls to some 60 countries, mostly to landlines. But India is one of a few where even calls to cellphone are free. Spoke to customer service just to make sure there wasn't some fine print, and that it was legit. I was even able to make a few calls. For 25$/Mo (+10$ taxes), it seems a pretty decent service.

Thought I'd give you guys a heads up on that.

[Sane Less]

I'll pass. My calls to India now cost near about $25 inclusive of taxes. This may be useful for people to call much more frequently and for longer times.

[Ravi]

Originally Posted by Sane Less

I'll pass. My calls to India now cost near about $25 inclusive of taxes. This may be useful for people to call much more frequently and for longer times.

But I assume you're still paying for some phone service, right?

[Sane Less]

Originally Posted by Ravi

But I assume you're still paying for some phone service, right?

yeah... long distance.

Edit: Oh, I see what you mean. Vonage includes this as part of its complete package (for $25). Hmmm... that is good.

[Gr8_Hindustani]

But last I heard Vonage voice quality is pretty misreable. Has that changed?

[chacha]

I think it has to do with what kind of an Internet connection you have. I tried using Vonage back home and even though BSNL said it was broadband, the quality wasn't upto the mark. Mainly because of the lack of bandwidth. So, yes, if you do not have good bandwidth, Vonage is not something you would want to go for. I tried it in Mumbai and the sound quality was superb. It was total paisa vasool when I used to talk to my fiance (now wife) for hours. If I were to use Airtel, she would have never married me coz I'd be broke in a few months

In the US, it should work exceedingly well on any broadband connection.

[AmthaLal]

I rather use Reliance prepay. I have added my biz, home and cell #s. Good service + good sound quality.

Don't want to change phone services.

My cousin uses Majic Jack he bought from here, in India to call US. Sound quality is very good. Better than reliance.
I call that # (US #) so I pay only regular cell phone usage. FREE on weekends and evenings.


Other relatives, I call only once or twice a year. So reliance for that.

[aaaj75]

Only problem with Vonage is you need to have landline and you need to sign one year contract with them and there are other voip providers like teleblend which also provide $25 unlimited India calling. For people who don't want landline or sign one year contract, Airtel plan is good.

https://www.airtelcallhome.com/ics_w...istration_page

[chacha]

Originally Posted by aaaj75

Only problem with Vonage is you need to have landline and you need to sign one year contract with them and there are other voip providers like teleblend which also provide $25 unlimited India calling. For people who don't want landline or sign one year contract, Airtel plan is good.

https://www.airtelcallhome.com/ics_w...istration_page

Landline with Vonage? Vonage itself is your landline baba Unlimited calling all over the US. Then free calls to India now.

[aaaj75]

Originally Posted by chacha

Landline with Vonage? Vonage itself is your landline baba Unlimited calling all over the US. Then free calls to India now.

chaha, my mistake. vonage is landline. What I was trying to say is to make call to India you always have to be at home near your vonage phone. But if you use service like Reliance/ Airtel you can call from your office or mobile. Like me most of the time I call India while commuting to my office. But yes $25 unlimited call to India is very good deal.

[JaiSpeaks]

yeah but you can install vonage in india and get local calling

[aaaj75]

Originally Posted by JaiSpeaks

yeah but you can install vonage in india and get local calling

But then why vonage. Any other voip service which are cheaper than vonage.

[JaiSpeaks]

yeah ofcourse . there was one more VOIP which gave 2 phones for the same price as Vonage

[Ravi]

Originally Posted by aaaj75

What I was trying to say is to make call to India you always have to be at home near your vonage phone. But if you use service like Reliance/ Airtel you can call from your office or mobile. Like me most of the time I call India while commuting to my office. But yes $25 unlimited call to India is very good deal.

You don't need a vonage phone in India. That used to be the case before. But now (from last month), vonage can call any landline and mobile in India for free.

[Gajodhar]

Btw, I have started using relianceicall for calling india for few weeks. They have a flat rate of 1 cents to any phone in India.

Their softphone is very basic, just does the job. Sometimes the calles drop. However the call clarity is pretty good and at less than 50 paise per minute, its a steal.