Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
smooth_guy, we recently got a home phone from Rogers. We haven't really used it at all, but I don't see it being any different from Bell. Besides, I'm quite happy with the 15% discount that I get from Rogers.
If anything, I'd like to try out voip, but don't see it happening anytime soon. Btw... my aunt has Primus voip and her family is very happy with the quality and service that they are receiving.
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
Thanks for the reply you both. Can anyone explain how VoIP can replace home phone? Share some details please. Thanks in advance.
Sadiyah, I am considering Rogers Home phone seriously. Can you explain what do you mean you haven't used it yet? Do you have both Bell and Rogers? I thought Rogers is using the same telecom network that Bell laid down.
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
For VOIP you need broad band connection at home, like a DSL or Cable. As DSL is generally through the giant phone companies, it is better to go with Cable. (But then you can't have Dish ... Well you can but it will cost a few dollars more).
You can pick a VOIP network of your choice (Vonage, Packet 8, Lingo etc.) and sign up with them. They will send you a device that you hook up to the broad band modem (most probably your router) and then hook up a regular phone to that device. The phone will work just like any phone, where you receive & make phone calls.
Why VOIP? Cos it is cheaper. I pay $19.99 (about $21 after taxes) and have unlimited phone calls to US & Canada 24/7 and to all land line in Western Europe (24/7). Along with features like Caller ID, silent mode, answering machine, *69 and a lot more.
Here is the catch: Unlike regular land lines, if the power goes off your phone is not working either (as the modem, router & the VOIP device all work on electricity). Also, depending on what service you get and where you are, the 911 emergency might not be available or might not be as quick as the land lines. Also, to have multiple phone with VOIP, you will need to wire your house or find out how it was originally wired for phone and hack it. A little work that goes a long way.
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
smooth_guy, we got Rogers home phone over the weekend. All of us were very busy and didn't get to use it. I used it today and so did family, there is absolutely no difference in terms of the quality compared to Bell.
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
Before anyone goes with Rogers Home Phone you might want to read about what they did to me. I’m in the middle of a fight with them now to change back to bell.
For the details go to www.thesqueakywheel.com and put in search word Rogers.
The title is “Rogers home phone also sucks”.
If you still go with them good luck. I’m also a Rogers stockholder for 20 years or more and am getting nowhere. They simply can’t be trusted.:devil:
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
I am in Canada and have been using Vonage for the last 3 months. I am pretty satisifed. Its just SOMETIMES my friends complain that the voice quality diminshes. Other than that I pay 45 bucks which includes all the taxes. I get all the calling features along with UNLIMITED long distance calls to USA and Canada.
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
i had called up rogers home service to install a home phone. its been 2 weeks, and i've been goign through the same cycle..
....a technician comes (spends 2 hours diong nothing...leaves exactly when his window ends...and still gets paid)... calling rogers again and asking what is wrong...rogers telling me some unusual problem wiht my hookup/account/modem (god knows!)...rogers issuing a ticket to some engineer, promising my phone will work soon....so then i wait..and nothing!..again the same cycle repeats.....
its freakin crazy! do not sign up with rogers....i can see why installation is free...they dont know what they are doing!!!!
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
I've been using Rogers Home Phone for about a month or two now. It's been working fine and haven't experienced any problems or interruptions whatsoever. I got upset with them over something and they waived the $50 fee that is to be charged according to some government policy or law. My bill was supposed to be around $68 and I ended up paying $8 something.
I think my last phone bill may not be on the Rogers Discount Bundle and I plan on calling them up soon and having that fixed.
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
Smooth Guy:
The service itself is the exact same as Bell. It works fine with no problems. In fact the enhanced call forwarding is better than bell.
That said you will be tied in for a 2 year contract with no out unless you pay a $100.00 to $200.00 penalty. You will be locked in to a contract with Rogers that cannot be trusted to keep their side of the deal or keep their word. They will charge you a system access fee of $4.25 per month which bell dosen’t charge. (This is actually a extra profit charge). When you add that in it’s probably more expensive than Bell and a least you can cancel your Bell line anytime.
They may or may not give you the discounts they promise depending on their mood. You will spend a long time on hold listening to “we care about your call blah blah blah” if you have a problem.
In my case they want the $4.25 system access for Home phone plus the $6.95 system access for Fido phone and they are not giving me the discount they promised and is in their contract and their recorded phone conversations.
So you can sign up with them and take your chances if you think it’s worth it. Personally I’ve now sold my Rogers stock and would rather play russian roulette with 5 loaded shots in a six shot revolver.
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
ahmedjee bhaijaan, which VIOP carrier are you using? I'm using Vonage but I pay around $27+ after taxes etc. How is the quality/services of your carrier?
Todd, I got a free router from vonage when I signed up so there are normally no charges for router.
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
Roman, the biggest chunk of my phone bill is calls to Pakistan. With Vonage how do you call Pakistan? With my current SBC phone line, I pay 17 cents/min when calling through 1019898. This facility won't be available if I switch out of SBC.
So what rate do you get and how do you call Pak: Calling cards? Got a Vonage in Pak too (thats another $15-25/mo + high speed internet costs in Pak)? Or have you moved all Pak conversations to PC-to-PC (not feasible due to their slow connection speeds)?
Re: Home phone service: Bell Canada vs. Rogers vs. Primus
Faisal, I use Amantel.com. It's very convenient. Lets me allow register 4 different phone from where I can call and won't have to dial a pin + 10 speed dials which allows me to call the main 800 number and then 1-10 +# for various numbers I've registered in the speed dial.
I've not really calculated how much does it cost per minute basis but I think it's around 14-16 cents per min.