Broadband in LA? Good phone option

[Ralph]

I am not sure how prevalent broadband internet availability is in other LA countries like Peru, Colombia, Brazil etc.

In the DR, DSL is readily available and reasonably priced. I am waiting to get DSL in the apartment we just rented. I am upping my plan to 768 DL and 384 UL speed.

I will be getting anew "phone" on mondya from vonage. I haven't tried it yet but most people say they are really good. The "phone" does voice over IP. Basically using the net for phone service.

I will pay about 40 bucks per month and get unlimeted calling to anywhere in the US. That sounds pretty good and I get a US phone number. I even got to pick what area code I wanted!

The BEST part is because it works over the net. . . . theoretically when I head to the DR in december, I can hook it up to my DSL and have a NY number in the DR. This way I can call the states all I want ofr 40 bucks! Since I will be working while down there, I will save a bunch of money on long distance etc.

When I travel back to the US my novia can call me unlimited for the same 40 bucks per month. Plus if I call her from teh states it is just a local call.

I think I spent over 100 bucks last week in calling cards, so this can save me big time!

If any of you guys have a novia in LA that can get DSL installed, it might be very worthwhile to take a look.

I haven't tried it yet but will hook it up when it arrives and tell you how it is.

[Calipro]

... in response to Broadband in LA? Good phone option, posted by Ralph on Dec 7, 2003

I saw an ad for vonage but for $40 bucks a month it really didn't seem worth it to me. You do get unlimited free calling through out the U.S. but they still charge 8 cents a minute to call Colombia. I only pay 3.95 a month for my calling plan and I still only pay 13 cents a minute to call Colombia anytime.

But if you really can set the phone up in a foreigh country and call the U.S. and much as you want for $40 a month that would be great. Let us know how it works out with the international calling.

[Ralph]

... in response to Re: Broadband in LA? Good phone option, posted by Calipro on Dec 7, 2003

I plan on keeping the phone in the DR. That way it is a local call for me to call my novia. heck on nights and weekends it is FREE! I'll post my experiences once I actually hook it up down there. It should work as it uses a broadband connection. The fact that you can plug the phone in to any broadband connection leads me to believe they are using Mac addresses rather than Ip address, so it should not be a problem!

[John O]

... in response to Re: Broadband in LA? Good phone option, posted by Calipro on Dec 7, 2003

How reliable is the service calling to Colombia? I've had many problems in the last few months using 10-10 prefixes.

Thanks.

[Calipro]

... in response to What's your calling plan?, posted by John O on Dec 7, 2003

My calling plan is NETONE INTERNATIONAL. It is 13 cents a minute to call Colombia anytime including cell phones, plus it is only 4 cents a minute for long distance calls within the U.S. The plan cost is $3.95 a month. I think there are other plans cheaper or more expensive. The higher the monthy fee the cheaper the per minute rate.

I just got my phone bill today and there is a web site listed: WWW.NETONEINT.COM.

The connection is good most of the time except on Colombian holidays then it is tuff to even get through.