As I said, Packet8 gets my vote as the best of this bunch tested. But remember this is only a taste of the variety of VoIP plans and providers out there. New plans, providers and pricing are appearing constantly. So if you've been waiting to try entrusting some (if not all) of your phone calls to the Internet, wait no more.
Table 1: VoIP Service Info
| AT&T CallVantage | iConnectHere | Vonage | Packet8 | |
| Monthly Rate | $19.99 - $49.99 |
$15.99 - $59.99 |
$14.99 - $49.99 |
$19.95 - $39.95 |
| Activation Fee | $29.99 | $29.99 | $29.99 | $29.99 |
| Term | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Termination Fee | None, unless equipment is not returned within 15 days of cancellation | $20.00-$39.99 depending on plan |
$39.99, plus pro-rated unused portion of monthly bill | $59 |
| Money Back Guarantee |
No charge within first 30 days if equipment returned within 15 days of request, varies afterward | Monthly and activation fees refunded within 30 days of activation and less than 50 minutes of usage | Activation and monthly fees refunded within 14 days if service ordered online and less than 250 minutes used | 30 days No refund if equipment not returned |
| Encrypted connection | No | No | No | No |
| Softphone included | No | Yes. No extra charge | Yes, but $9.95/mo. extra | No |
| Fax | Yes, but disables voicemail & call waiting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number portability |
Yes | No, but being planned | Yes, in most cases | Yes |
| Local # Availability |
Very Good | Limited | Excellent | Excellent |
| Special Features | Phone Book allows import from Outlook, Outlook Express, Palm OS | Call Forking | Click To Call, Call Hunt | Distinctive Ringing, VideoPhone, Virtual PBX ($39.95 extra) |
|
Note: Unless noted, all services
include Caller ID, voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding & 3-way
calling
|
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