Would you recommend Vonage ?

Would you recommend Vonage ?
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Subject Author Date
Would you recommend Vonage ? kimshapiro100 08-23-2006
Posted by John Gray on February 19, 2007, 8:04 pm
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> wholzem@hotmail.com says...
>> Andrew Rossmann wrote:
>> > chuck@backtalkradio.spammers.will.hung.by.the.neck.until.dead.backtalk
>> > ra dio.net wrote:
>> >> Get Skype instead. The overall costs are much
>> >> cheaper. You can get a Skype-in number for
>> >> only $12 every three months and can add an
>> >> unlimited calling plan to the USA and Canada
>> >> for only $30 more per year. That, overall, is
>> >> much cheaper than Vonage.
>> >
>> > But, Skype requires you have your computer on and running. I've also
>> > found it very sensitive to any bandwidth congestion.
>> >
>> > Vonage uses a separate adapter and normal phones. I've never noticed
>> > audio issues, even when my computer is transfering files.
>> >
>> > Skype is fine for computer-to-computer, but I wouldn't rely on it for
>> > everyday use.
>> >
>> > Both of these rely on the reliabilty of your ISP. I would still stick
>> > with a stripped down, basic landline service for home use. 911 is too
>> > important, and non-landline 911 is still iffy at best.
>>
>> In most areas, Vonage now has e911. That makes it less of an issue, but
>> yes, you are depending on your ISP being up when you need it. But
>> traditional landline phones can, and do, go down, too. Having a back-up
>> system is important either way.
>>
>> My back-up to Vonage is my cell phone rather than a basic POTS line. If
>> a tree falls, it could take out both my cable ISP service and a POTS
>> line. The odds of both ISP and cell phone service being out at the same
>> time are better for me than the odds of my cable and POTS line being
>> out at the same time.
>
> Just remember that the 911 situtation for cell phones is even worse than
> VOIP! Every time there is a federal guideline to reach a certain level,
> the companies complain and it gets pushed back.
>

I've tested both my TW DigitalPhone and my Verizon cell phones with my local
E911 number. I called during the day on a Monday morning when they were
least busy after verifying via a non-emergency number if it was ok to do so.
Both verified as being from my home address. As far as the cell phone, I
don't know exactly which method was used. I guess that it could either use
the billing address ( which would lead to bad emergency response if I were
somewhere else when calling ) or used the GPS setup from the phone.


NMFall 20%
Posted by f/fgeorge on February 19, 2007, 10:20 pm
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>
>I've tested both my TW DigitalPhone and my Verizon cell phones with my local
>E911 number. I called during the day on a Monday morning when they were
>least busy after verifying via a non-emergency number if it was ok to do so.
>Both verified as being from my home address. As far as the cell phone, I
>don't know exactly which method was used. I guess that it could either use
>the billing address ( which would lead to bad emergency response if I were
>somewhere else when calling ) or used the GPS setup from the phone.
After working for a fire dept for many years I can tell you that none
will complain if you call during slack hours and explain that you are
testing. If you do not say right away that you are testing they might
get upset. But ensuring the number works is good for them if you need
it, and they understand that.


Posted by Warren on February 20, 2007, 12:39 am
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f/fgeorge wrote:
>>I've tested both my TW DigitalPhone and my Verizon cell phones with my
>>local
>>E911 number. I called during the day on a Monday morning when they were
>>least busy after verifying via a non-emergency number if it was ok to do
>>so.
>>Both verified as being from my home address. As far as the cell phone,
>>I
>>don't know exactly which method was used. I guess that it could either
>>use
>>the billing address ( which would lead to bad emergency response if I
>>were
>>somewhere else when calling ) or used the GPS setup from the phone.
> After working for a fire dept for many years I can tell you that none
> will complain if you call during slack hours and explain that you are
> testing. If you do not say right away that you are testing they might
> get upset. But ensuring the number works is good for them if you need
> it, and they understand that.
>

Slack hours? You mean they don't adjust staffing according to expected
call load?

If they schedule their people right, they will have more people working
during the busy hours, and fewer people working during the slower hours,
and the workload per agent working will be similar. So while there might
be fewer calls at a certain time of the day, the workers on duty at that
time will be as busy as those working when more calls are coming in.

And if they're not doing that in your 911 call center, they're throwing
money away when they're over-staffed, and/or endangering people when
they're under-staffed. And given the plethora of workforce management
software designed for busy call center environments, they shouldn't be
scheduling properly for their call volume.

Essentially, that means there really is no slack-time, and the advisories
not to just "test" 911 that are sent out in press releases by many 911
call centers mean something. And in some jurisdictions, even if you say
you're just testing, the assumption is that there really is a reason for
you to be calling, and your "test" call will result in a visit from a
police officer.

Of course your local policies may differ, and you might not get in trouble
for "testing" 911, but don't count on it. And certainly don't count on the
call center being over-staffed at any given time.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.

Maintain your landscape with Black & Decker:
http://www.holzemville.com/mall/blackanddecker





Posted by f/fgeorge on February 20, 2007, 5:58 pm
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wrote:

>f/fgeorge wrote:
>>>I've tested both my TW DigitalPhone and my Verizon cell phones with my
>>>local
>>>E911 number. I called during the day on a Monday morning when they were
>>>least busy after verifying via a non-emergency number if it was ok to do
>>>so.
>>>Both verified as being from my home address. As far as the cell phone,
>>>I
>>>don't know exactly which method was used. I guess that it could either
>>>use
>>>the billing address ( which would lead to bad emergency response if I
>>>were
>>>somewhere else when calling ) or used the GPS setup from the phone.
>> After working for a fire dept for many years I can tell you that none
>> will complain if you call during slack hours and explain that you are
>> testing. If you do not say right away that you are testing they might
>> get upset. But ensuring the number works is good for them if you need
>> it, and they understand that.
>>
>
>Slack hours? You mean they don't adjust staffing according to expected
>call load?
>
>If they schedule their people right, they will have more people working
>during the busy hours, and fewer people working during the slower hours,
>and the workload per agent working will be similar. So while there might
>be fewer calls at a certain time of the day, the workers on duty at that
>time will be as busy as those working when more calls are coming in.
>
>And if they're not doing that in your 911 call center, they're throwing
>money away when they're over-staffed, and/or endangering people when
>they're under-staffed. And given the plethora of workforce management
>software designed for busy call center environments, they shouldn't be
>scheduling properly for their call volume.
>
>Essentially, that means there really is no slack-time, and the advisories
>not to just "test" 911 that are sent out in press releases by many 911
>call centers mean something. And in some jurisdictions, even if you say
>you're just testing, the assumption is that there really is a reason for
>you to be calling, and your "test" call will result in a visit from a
>police officer.
>
>Of course your local policies may differ, and you might not get in trouble
>for "testing" 911, but don't count on it. And certainly don't count on the
>call center being over-staffed at any given time.

Don't know where you are from but how can you plan for a Hurricane or
Tornado or shooting with 5 victims that will needs 5 dispatchers not
counting the ones that are handling the normal call load? ALL call
centers I have ever been to have been staffed exactly the same every
shift day in day out. Some days you have slack time, some days you
could use 30 more people.


Posted by Warren on February 20, 2007, 6:32 pm
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f/fgeorge wrote:
> Don't know where you are from but how can you plan for a Hurricane or
> Tornado or shooting with 5 victims that will needs 5 dispatchers not
> counting the ones that are handling the normal call load? ALL call
> centers I have ever been to have been staffed exactly the same every
> shift day in day out. Some days you have slack time, some days you
> could use 30 more people.

Workforce management software can do an incredible job of right-staffing a
large call center. Combine it with good intraday management, and money
doesn't have to be wasted by staffing the way you describe. It's 2007, not
1985. And with the public demanding better use of tax dollars, a call
center that doesn't use workforce management software to reduce staffing
costs is just another item on the list of ways that government can make
better use of the money they already have.

If all the call centers you've been in staff that way, I suggest you need
to get out, and see more call centers. And the call centers you were in
need new managers.

Either way, it is irresponsible to suggest to anyone that they call 911
just to test it. Even if it is a poorly managed call center that uses an
outmoded staffing model that leads to excessively idle operators, you
should not call 911 unless you have a real emergency.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.

Maintain your landscape with Black & Decker:
http://www.holzemville.com/mall/blackanddecker





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