Phones

Sure, you can get a land line phone from verizon and pay through the nose (plus have it not necessarily port with you when you change offices, causing mass confusion amongst your members). Why do that when you can use the internet as a phone service. Cheapest is Skype which has skypein phone numbers that you get to choose for $38/year. Full research done by one of our summer interns on VoIP is below. We currently use a combination of Vonage and Skype.

Basically, we pay $50/month for Vonage's unlimited service which gets us two phone numbers (our main line and our fax line). When we answer the phone, we then transfer it to someone's desk by using the skype in line (we actually have one skype in line for 8 computers and as long as you tell the person to pick up this seems to work pretty well).

If you are going to get vonage, let me know via email at elizabeth@undp-usa.org. They have a referal program that I can use (who knows you might get a better deal). We have had some problems with Vonage and clarity plus it required us to aquire phones.


Skype VoIP service: For SkypeOut you need the following: a sound card (full-duplex is best), microphone (built-in or external) and speakers or headset.
SkypeOut: This is meant for calling traditional mobile phones and landlines. With Skype Out you can make free calls within the US and Canada till the end of the year. To make international calls you need to buy Skype credits. (Credit will remain valid for 180 days after your last SkypeOut call.)
Not possible to make emergency calls.
SkypeIn: To use SkypeIn you have to buy the numbers. SkypeIn numbers are sold on a subscription basis: a 12 month subscription is $38 and 3 months is $12. It could be a problem for others to reach you on that number. Certain calling plans do not support SkypeIn numbers.

Vonage

Earthlink:
They are offering two packages:
· True Voice Basic:- $14.95/mo (for one line)
It offers 500 minutes (flat rate for both local and long distance). Separate competitive rates for intl. calls.
· True Voice Unlimited:- 24.95/mo (for one line)
Unlimited local and long-distance calls. Separate competitive rates for intl. calls.

Verizon
804-235-7157: William
William.g.moran@verizon.com
(No VoIP service for this area)
Analog phone line:
Can provide two/three phone lines and one fax line. We can retain our old numbers.
18.98 per line per month. This is the basic fee. In addition to this, additional charges ranging from $14 to $277, depending on the package you choose.
Additional equipment: None
Installation costs: wiring ($ 285)

Broadvoice: 212-202-0300
Can retain current numbers.
Can provide three phones and a fax line.
Calling plans: Unlimited Business. $29.95(per line)
Installation costs -$87.35



Broadvox Direct: 216-373-4600
Number portability available
Can provide two/three phone lines and one fax line.
Calling plan: Residential Unlimited $29.95 per month per line (unlimited local calls)
Equipment: Adaptors for the phone. One adaptor supports two phone lines. So we would need two adaptors. Each adaptor is $85.99
Shipping fee: $11.95
Installation charges: 29.95

Packet8: Justin; 877-868-1135 (Ext 850)
Numbers are portable.
They can provide three phone lines and one fax line.
30 day risk free.
$39.99 per phone line per month. (Unlimited local calls)
$9.99 per fax line (300 minutes. For additional minutes 3.5 cents per minute)
Installation costs (including first month charges): $507.24

Voice-Pulse: Martin; (732) 339-5100
They offer number portability.
We can have three phone lines and one fax line.
Calling plan: Business Unlimited (Unlimited local calls) $45.99 per line per month.
Additional equipment: 2 adaptors
Activation fee: $59.98 ($29.99 for each adaptor)

Lingo VoIP: 866-546-4603
Number portability is available
Unlimited Business Plan: One phone line (can add up to 5 virtual lines). One fax line free with this offer.
$49.95 monthly, the first month is free.
If you want to add another phone line you can combine the business unlimited with the unlimited home plan (which means an additional 21.95 per month)
Activation fee: $ 39.90 (includes adaptor, shipping, welcome kit)
30 day money back guarantee

Qwest: 877-719-0022 Kenya
The numbers are portable.
Can provide us with three phone lines and a fax line.
(Will mail/call with additional info)

Union Datacom: Neal Behgooy 214-431-5574 Direct
Numbers are portable.
Can provide us with three phone lines and a fax line.
Monthly plan-$39.95 (unlimited local and 1500 minutes for domestic long-distance)
If our current adaptors are from Vonage we will need to buy new ones.1 adaptor supports two lines and we would