VoIP.com Review
VoIP.com is well priced, multi feature VoIP service with its major problem being the fact that there are cheaper equally good options around. Its call quality to often runs into problems and hence we suggest being wary before signing up with this provider.
Buying and Setting Up
Setup is matter of plugging in the free Grandstream adapter to one’s phone and modem. No reboot or other software required. Easy to install and start making and receiving calls within minutes.
Product Features
Virtual Phone Number
Allows users to have a number in a city other than where they are actually living for a price of $4.99 per month and $9.95 initial setup charges. All calls received in that the same city are now treated as local calls, thereby enabling great savings.
Toll Free Number
An 800 number with 100 allotted incoming minutes at $4.99 per month and 4.9 cents for every extra minute thereafter. This too entails a one time setup fee of $9.95.
Voicemail
While most providers list this as a free service, VoIP.com chares a monthly flat rate of $4.95 to send your voicemail to you as an email audio attachment.
Other General Features
Other regular features that are free include:
- Anonymous Call Rejection
- Call Return
- Call Waiting
- Caller Name and Number Identification
- Cancel Call Waiting per Call
- 911 Emergency Dialing
- 411 Directory Dialing
- Last Number Redial
- Speed Dial
- Conference Calling
Call Quality
This is where VoIP.com takes a bit of a beating. While some users would swear by the clear quality of their audio calls, these satisfied users tend to form a minority. Most users complain of a long delay before the ringing connects after dialing out. Another frequent problem involves that of number not connecting or no answers when the line actually does not connect.
Call Plans
VoIP.com’s plans are competitively priced in the lower segment of the market. One disadvatangae though is that the service just does not offer a business subscription offer and hence does not allow any bulk savings for businesses.
- Unlimited Monthly Plan: Unlimited calls to USA, Canada and Puerto Rico at $19.95 per month with a free phone adapter and free softphone.
- Unlimited Annual Plan: Unlimited calls to USA, Canada and Puerto Rico throughout the year at $203.40 per year.
- Softphone Unlimited Plan: Unlimited calls to USA, Canada and Puerto Rico at $14.95 per month.
Please note that overseas calls are charged as soon as one dials out, even if there is no answer at the other end.
VoIP.com also allows users to attach multiple lines to the same billing account. Each VoIP telephony line requires an approximate 90 kbps of internet bandwidth to be able t function clearly. To see if your connection can load multiple lines, try the free broadband test speed application on the voip.com website. Additional lines may be purchased at $9.95 per line, per month.
Customer Service
This small startup company has no advertising spends but focuses instead on winning over customers through complimentary trials. They offer a standard 30 day money back guarantee trial with all plans. You need to return equipment to be refunded. Alternatively try the Make A Call feature on the website which allows for trial phone to phone calls. Dialing other Make a Call registered users is free while dialing landline or mobile is chargeable. They offer free 12 cents or 6 call minutes to really get you to try them out.
VoIP.com offer two modes of customer support – a toll free number and a web based system. This is however misleading. Logging a complaint ticket necessitates you to be logged on to your online account and seeking query resolutions through the online forums. Responses are slow and often inadequate. To get a taste of how customer service at this provider is likely to be, take a look at their forums section before signing up.
In the end, even though the pricing is among the best, the lack of phone customer service and prompt grievance redressal is just not worth it for average person.
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