You can get free service from Vonage. It is their refer a friend program. Send emails to friends from your web account and if they sign up with Vonage you will get 2 free months. This can really add up. All you need is 6 people to sign up under you and you got a full year of service free.
There are many people with Vonage that are getting free service every year just by getting people to sign up under them. This is one of the cool features of Vonage. So Don't be paying for Vonage, get it free.
Where to find Help for Vonage Devices
If you are looking for information that on different devices here are the links to the different devices.
D-Link VTA
D-Link VWR
Motorola VT2142
Motorola VT2442
UTStarcom F1000 WiFi
Uniden UIP1869V
VTech IP 8100
Vonage V-Phone
Cisco ATA-186
Linksys PAP2
Linksys PAP2v2
Linksys RT31P2
Linksys RTP300
Linksys WRT54GP2
Linksys WRTP54G
Motorola VT1005
Motorola VT2542
Vonage V-Portal
D-Link VTA
D-Link VWR
Motorola VT2142
Motorola VT2442
UTStarcom F1000 WiFi
Uniden UIP1869V
VTech IP 8100
Vonage V-Phone
Cisco ATA-186
Linksys PAP2
Linksys PAP2v2
Linksys RT31P2
Linksys RTP300
Linksys WRT54GP2
Linksys WRTP54G
Motorola VT1005
Motorola VT2542
Vonage V-Portal
192.168.15.1 Vonage Router
You can get into Vonage Router and make Changes. Put in 192.168.15.1 to get into your router. This is good to know if you have to add sites for gaming, or you need to put in your PPPOE information if you have a username and password for DSL.
You can also set passwords in the router so that not anyone can log on to your router. What Vonage won't tell you is that if you have wireless Internet and don't have it secured ANYONE can log into your router and make changes to your settings. This could prevent you from getting online, using your phone. So the first thing that you want to do is change the username and password in your router, then make it secure from others using your router.
ROUTERS DEFAULT USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS
These routers have the Username AND password - router
Motorola VT2142
Motorola VT2442
Linksys PAP2
Linksys PAP2v2
Linksys RT31P2
Linksys RTP300
Linksys WRT54GP2
Linksys WRTP54G
Motorola VT1005
Motorola VT2542
D-Link VTA
D-Link VWR
Once you get into your router there is step by step instructions. Before you make any changes, if you are unsure call tech support for assistance.
You can also set passwords in the router so that not anyone can log on to your router. What Vonage won't tell you is that if you have wireless Internet and don't have it secured ANYONE can log into your router and make changes to your settings. This could prevent you from getting online, using your phone. So the first thing that you want to do is change the username and password in your router, then make it secure from others using your router.
ROUTERS DEFAULT USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS
These routers have the Username AND password - router
Motorola VT2142
Motorola VT2442
Linksys PAP2
Linksys PAP2v2
Linksys RT31P2
Linksys RTP300
Linksys WRT54GP2
Linksys WRTP54G
Motorola VT1005
Motorola VT2542
D-Link VTA
D-Link VWR
Once you get into your router there is step by step instructions. Before you make any changes, if you are unsure call tech support for assistance.
Alternatives to Vonage
There are some alternatives that you can get instead of Vonage. These are coming out all the time with about the same services, no contracts, keep your number and below the price of Vonage.
Looking over these other places I see some great things that Vonage doesn't offer. I am guessing that they will have better tech support, and you won't be transfered overseas with techincal calls to people that you can't understand.
Lingo is one great place to check out. When I worked at Vonage we had many people cancel the accounts and transfer to Lingo. We didn't have that many coming from Lingo. Right now they have a great deal going on... Get 1 Month Free Plus Free Activation with Lingo If you are looking for a phone service or wanting to get away from Vonage, I reccommend Lingo.
Another place to check out would be
Phone Power Digital Phone Service. There is no contract now, like Vonage has a contract or you will pay high disconnect fees.. (something they don't really tell you upfront).... and they don't tell you there is really a fee for everything..
Unlimited calling in the US and Canada starting at $9.95/month
If you are looking for great alternative phone services check out these places.
Looking over these other places I see some great things that Vonage doesn't offer. I am guessing that they will have better tech support, and you won't be transfered overseas with techincal calls to people that you can't understand.
Lingo is one great place to check out. When I worked at Vonage we had many people cancel the accounts and transfer to Lingo. We didn't have that many coming from Lingo. Right now they have a great deal going on... Get 1 Month Free Plus Free Activation with Lingo If you are looking for a phone service or wanting to get away from Vonage, I reccommend Lingo.
Another place to check out would be
Unlimited calling in the US and Canada starting at $9.95/month
If you are looking for great alternative phone services check out these places.
Using Online Technical Support for Vonage
If you have Vonage you will probably need technical support at some point. Before spending hours on the phones, there are some things that you can do on your own, and places on line that you can check and mostly solve the problem quicker than calling tech support.
If you get tech support out of the USA ask to be transfered to the USA tech support department. The Tech support out of the country will take you through many unnecessary steps that USA tech support won't.
Finding Tech support on your own:
If you get tech support out of the USA ask to be transfered to the USA tech support department. The Tech support out of the country will take you through many unnecessary steps that USA tech support won't.
Finding Tech support on your own:
- Try rebooting your system. Unplug the router, the Vonage device, and the Modem for your Internet. Plug back in one at a time, starting with the Internet Modem. Test your phone. This normally corrects many problems. See full instructions for Vonage Help here.
- Try Vonage online Help online. here is the link. This will answer many questions and issues that you may have.
- Online Vonage forum, where everyone is willing to help you. Many tech agents for Vonage lurk at this place, and some will give their help with issues. While this is neither ran or maintained by Vonage it's one of the best places to find answers with your problems.
If none of the above helps your with your issues, Tech support is available 24/7 every day of the year. Get comfy, and call during free minutes on your cell phones, and wait for a live agent to help you.
Reading Vonage's Terms of Service
The Terms of Service should be read before signing up. As in an earlier post about things the sales department won't tell you there are things ways that Vonage will have in the TOS that will affect you.
If you go over your bill by $50 a month with International calls, your credit card can be charged. If your equipment goes bad after warranty, you have to pay to get it replaced. If you cancel yoru service within 30 days they will take out more money from yoru account for th equipment till you return it at your expense. And it goes on.
Be sure that you have a clear understanding about the TOS before signing up.
If you go over your bill by $50 a month with International calls, your credit card can be charged. If your equipment goes bad after warranty, you have to pay to get it replaced. If you cancel yoru service within 30 days they will take out more money from yoru account for th equipment till you return it at your expense. And it goes on.
Be sure that you have a clear understanding about the TOS before signing up.
Vonage does have Great Features
Vonage has great features that are not offered for the price that Vonage offers them for. Voicemail for example is usually an added charge at other places. But Vonage does offer them for free.
If you need help with the features with Vonage, you can go to Vonage Help Online and your problem can usually be found there and solved without calling into tech support.
Sometimes you will need to call tech support for them to make some changes on your device but that is rare. Most of the time you can find the answer on the website and have it corrected yourself before you ever are able to speak to a person in Vonage technical support.
Please refer to this post about the best time to call tech support and get through quickly.
If you need help with the features with Vonage, you can go to Vonage Help Online and your problem can usually be found there and solved without calling into tech support.
Sometimes you will need to call tech support for them to make some changes on your device but that is rare. Most of the time you can find the answer on the website and have it corrected yourself before you ever are able to speak to a person in Vonage technical support.
Please refer to this post about the best time to call tech support and get through quickly.
Some common Technical Issues you can solve on your own
There are some technical issues that are solved by a simple reboot of the network with Vonage Phone service.
If you have no dialtone. Tech support will walk you through steps that will take 20 minutes to try everything, but the main thing that will correct these problems is a reboot! Takes 3 minutes.
To reboot your network.
If you have no dialtone. Tech support will walk you through steps that will take 20 minutes to try everything, but the main thing that will correct these problems is a reboot! Takes 3 minutes.
To reboot your network.
- Unplug your modem, your Vonage Phone adapter and any routers that you may have.
- Plug in the Cable or DSL Modem first. Let it load.
- Plug in the Router or the Vonage (usually the Vonage is before the router)
- Plug in the Vonage or the Router *which ever is next in line
Test your phone. You should have a dial tone. If not, plug your computer directly into your cable modem or your DSL modem and see if you can get online. If you can NOT get online, call your Internet provider, your service is not working for the Internet, and if it's not working, your Vonage Phone service will not work.
Rebooting the network will correct many issues. Always try this first before calling Vonage tech support and going through many unnecessary steps.
Getting a live English Speaking Tech on the phone Quickly
Ok Most calls to tech support are going over seas for many companies and Vonage is no exception to this fact. Most of the tech support in the other countries do give good technical support for Vonage but sometimes they have an accent that you can't understand.
If you are having problems understanding your agent on the phone, ask them nicely to transfer you to the United States to speak with a US tech agent. They will do it. They have phone numbers to transfer you to the US. More than likely you will get New Jersey Tech support agent who speaks without a heavy accent.
The best time to call Vonage is late in the evening. Around 11pm Eastern time if you can. After midnight you more than likely will get through to an agent quickly. Before 6am is also a good time to get a Vonage tech support agent fast.
During the day the lines are always busy, and you are just getting bounced around from one agent to another. This is never a good time to call if you can help it.
Vonage should update the websites to let you know there is a problem, but usually they don't. This would save their customers allot of headaches and hold time on the phone.
If there is a hold time of longer than 30-60 minutes there is probably a system-wide outage. If you wait about an hour, it will probably clear up on its own. Usually when there is a longer than normal wait time, many people are having the same problem as you, and they are aware of it. You can hold if you would like to, but it may not be necessary.
If you are having problems understanding your agent on the phone, ask them nicely to transfer you to the United States to speak with a US tech agent. They will do it. They have phone numbers to transfer you to the US. More than likely you will get New Jersey Tech support agent who speaks without a heavy accent.
The best time to call Vonage is late in the evening. Around 11pm Eastern time if you can. After midnight you more than likely will get through to an agent quickly. Before 6am is also a good time to get a Vonage tech support agent fast.
During the day the lines are always busy, and you are just getting bounced around from one agent to another. This is never a good time to call if you can help it.
Vonage should update the websites to let you know there is a problem, but usually they don't. This would save their customers allot of headaches and hold time on the phone.
If there is a hold time of longer than 30-60 minutes there is probably a system-wide outage. If you wait about an hour, it will probably clear up on its own. Usually when there is a longer than normal wait time, many people are having the same problem as you, and they are aware of it. You can hold if you would like to, but it may not be necessary.
Things the Vonage Sales department WON'T tell you (but should)
Ahhh the Sales department: Tech support hates that department. They are worse than any call tech support could ever get. I'm not saying that they lied to customers, but---- they tell many untruths. For examples:
Used Phone Adapters:
The most common problem is buying the Vonage phone adapter off of Ebay or another Online Auction site, or getting one at a yard sale. If you buy an adapter and that person has an outstanding bill at Vonage you will not be able to get service with that adapter. There is an easy way to get around this so your not stuck with a Vonage Phone adapter that you can't use. Get the MAC ID off of the adapter. Call Tech support and give them the MAC ID and verify BEFORE you purchase it that it's clear to use.
Vonage WILL NOT WORK WITH:
Used Phone Adapters:
The most common problem is buying the Vonage phone adapter off of Ebay or another Online Auction site, or getting one at a yard sale. If you buy an adapter and that person has an outstanding bill at Vonage you will not be able to get service with that adapter. There is an easy way to get around this so your not stuck with a Vonage Phone adapter that you can't use. Get the MAC ID off of the adapter. Call Tech support and give them the MAC ID and verify BEFORE you purchase it that it's clear to use.
Vonage WILL NOT WORK WITH:
- Satellite Internet it will be choppy, and you won't be able to make out what the other person is saying. Much tweaking must be done to make it barely audiable, but you deserve better.
- Wireless Connection Only If you are getting service for the Internet from your neighbor's connection, Vonage will not work You have to have a modem for the Vonage to work Or if you are getting service from Wireless provider Vonage will always be choppy.
- Dial up Internet Service like Net Zero, Earthlink, or others: Vonage has to have Broadband service to work.
- Earthlink DSL- Yahoo DSL Service: These run off of the home phone service, once you bring your number to Vonage your DSL won't work, because its shut off.
Special Note about DSL and Vonage
Vonage will work with DSL from the phone company however sometimes if you bring your number to Vonage they will shut off your DSL service leaving you without phone and Internet service. If you have DSL service, you want to make sure before you take your phone number to Vonage that you have DSL on a seperate line with a different number other then the one you are taking to Vonage. Many times I have seen DSL shut off when a number is brought over to Vonage and it's the weekend and you have to make another appointment to get DSL turned back on. It's really an inconvience.
ALARM SYSTEMS:
Some alarm systems WILL NOT WORK WITH ANY VOIP PHONE SERVICE. NOT EVEN VONAGE.
Before making the switch if you have an alarm service, check with them first.
LIFE ALERT SERVICES:
Life alert services work on landline phones. The thing about phones from your phone company is, usually when the electric goes out, the phone will still work, With Vonage and other VOIP phone services, When the power is out, the phones are out also. If you have a loved one depending on Life Alert Services, don't change to Vonage.
911 Services:
Vonage does pretty good with keeping up with the 911 addressses, but you are resposible for making sure in your online account that the address is up to date. If you move, you must change your address online.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT 911 SERVICES and VONAGE:
Vonage phone adapters work on electric. If your electric goes out, or your Broadband Internet provider goes out or down, THE PHONE WON'T WORK, and you won't be able to call 911. Make sure you have a back up system such as a cell phone for emergency calls.
The last most importaint thing to do before committing to Vonage is read the TERMS OF SERVICE there are mant things in the terms of service that you should be aware of before making a decision.
Tips for good Service with Vonage
Vonage is the phone service that you love to hate. Vonage has been in the news with their problems for quite sometime, but stil every day hundreds of people are signing up with them and many are leaving. This blog will give you tips about what customer service won't tell you.
There are many things that customer service and sales won't tell you about the service. Once they get their money it's only then that you learn that the service won't work for you. Calling technical support is another nightmare for many people. You will hold online for a long time just for us to tell you to Reboot the network.
Faxing can be done with Vonage, but its sometimes tricky.
This blog will help you decide if you want to get Vonage for you home phone service or not. After all Vonage isn't the only phone service out there that is VOIP. Voice Over IP reviews can give you many great tips about what service would be right for you.
There are many things that customer service and sales won't tell you about the service. Once they get their money it's only then that you learn that the service won't work for you. Calling technical support is another nightmare for many people. You will hold online for a long time just for us to tell you to Reboot the network.
Faxing can be done with Vonage, but its sometimes tricky.
This blog will help you decide if you want to get Vonage for you home phone service or not. After all Vonage isn't the only phone service out there that is VOIP. Voice Over IP reviews can give you many great tips about what service would be right for you.
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