Q:   How does Vonage work?   Do I have to hook the phone up to a hard wired computer?  Will the phone work using a computer with wi-fi?

A: Vonage actually works independently of your computer, and you don’t use your computer to talk on the phone.  You also don’t connect your Vonage phone to your computer.  The Vonage phone service is completely separate from your computer.  Vonage will mail you their phone adapter, and then you just need to plug both your router/modem and a touch tone phone into this adapter.  After that you just pick up the phone and dial like you always would (but now you’re saving more money!).

Check out the how Vonage works section for more information and a diagram of the setup.  The instructions you’ll get in the mail from Vonage are fully illustrated and very easy to follow, so there isn’t a complicated setup.

Regarding wi-fi, the Vonage adapter will need to be physically hooked up to your router, and doesn’t work wirelessly.  However, you can use a cordless phone with Vonage, which will allow you to move around with ease.

Q:  Can we keep our current phone number with Vonage?

A: Yes, you can!  During the Vonage World (and Vonage Lite) signup process you’ll be asked if you want to transfer your phone number over to Vonage.  If so, Vonage will initiate a number transfer for you.  The number transfer usually takes about 10 business days, and Vonage will issue a temporary number in the interim so you can start using Vonage right away.

You should keep your existing phone service and phone number until the transfer is final.  During the number transfer process, calls made by non-Vonage customers to the number being transferred will ring on your non-Vonage phone line.  After your number transfer has completed, all calls will go directly to your Vonage phone line.  If you’re curious and want to know what the status of the transfer is, you can easily check via the Vonage Online account you’ll receive once you’re a Vonage customer.

Q:  Can Vonage used anywhere on the Globe?  We will be going to different countries and want to use Vonage wherever we go.

A: Vonage World can be used anywhere there is a high speed internet connection and a touch tone phone.  All you need to do is take the small and portable Vonage Phone Adapter with you, connect it to the modem/router and phone, and you’re good to go.  And, if you’re traveling to one of the 60+ countries included in the Vonage World unlimited calling plan you’ll call for free!  I love to tell people about this added benefit because it means you can save a ton of money when you travel.

Q:  My son is going to China this summer, and will be in Beijing and Zhengzhou during his trip. Do you have a plan that will work for him?

A: Vonage World will work great for your son’s trip to China and will save him a lot of money to boot.  Part of the Vonage World plan is the portable phone adapter, which allows users to travel the globe and still enjoy Vonage World savings.  All he will need at each location he visits is a high speed internet connection and a touch tone phone to make calls.   Then he can just plug the phone and the modem/router into the phone adapter and start making calls (don’t worry, Vonage mails you illustrated and thorough instructions to do this, but it’s pretty easy).

Because the Vonage World plan includes China, he can make unlimited calls to the US for free.  He can also call land lines and mobile phones in China for free!

Q:  Can I check my voicemail from my phone, or do I have to go into my account and check it that way?

A: It’s easy to check your voicemail with Vonage, and they give you several different options. You can access your messages:

1.  Directly from your Vonage phone by dialing ” *123 “, entering your PIN and then listening to the instructions.

2.  From any phone (Vonage or non-Vonage) by dialing the Vonage number you want to check, then pressing ” * ” when the voicemail picks up and then entering your PIN.

3.  Online via your Vonage Online account, which is free with every Vonage World subscription.

You can even have your voicemail emailed or texted directly to you with Vonage’s Visual Voicemail.  You can easily set this up in your Vonage Online account, and it’s a really nifty and  time-saving feature that I love.