Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

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Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby neptune » 08/15/2012

Hi folks,

I currently have service with Vonage and thinking about making the switch. Doing some research and trying to get an understanding of features included with FPL. The website doesn't list a whole lot, just voicemail, caller ID, and follow me.

Does anyone know if the following features (or similar) are available with FPL? I currently have them on my Vonage service.

Call Waiting with Caller ID
Network Availability Number (during internet service outage, calls automatically forwarded to another number)
3-Way Calling
Call Transfer (transfer calls to another phone while you're on the call)


Thanks very much!
neptune
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby dibsmft » 08/15/2012

First thing to notice is that FPL is a much lower cost service than Vonage and provides a different service. If you live in an area with good service from FPL (ie. not the Atlantic provinces) or if you frequently call any of the large cities with good FPL coverage then FPL may be a good buy for you. Any calls that you make to numbers not in the FPL free list have to be paid for and carry a connection charge. The features offered by Fongo (for FPL) are fairly complete but do lack some that people seem to want. Caller ID has some snags as Fongo does not do number look ups to get the caller name. Other users on this forum can probably give you more help on the available features.
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby FONGO_steve » 08/15/2012

In terms of the features:

Call Waiting with Caller ID - this is supported, pending that the phone being used also supports call waiting while on a call. Our ATA does support this.

Network Availability Number - we support call forwarding. If your ATA is disconnected for any reason (internet down, power outage, etc) then your call will always progress to the next stage. That might be call forwarding if you have it setup, or just voicemail. Default would be forward then voicemail if unanswered on the forward destination.

Three Way Calling - fully supported (I use this one myself on occasion)

Call Transfer - also supported. I believe the most common way of doing this is similar to initiating a three way call, but then you hang up your phone and the other two parties remain connected.
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby neptune » 08/16/2012

Thanks Steve. Couple of follow-up questions:

Voicemail: Does FPL send email with the voicemail audio file attached?

FONGO_steve wrote:Network Availability Number - we support call forwarding. If your ATA is disconnected for any reason (internet down, power outage, etc) then your call will always progress to the next stage. That might be call forwarding if you have it setup, or just voicemail. Default would be forward then voicemail if unanswered on the forward destination.


Ok. But its not the same as what Vonage does (they also offer call forwarding). Basically, this feature is only enabled when their network loses connectivity with customer's ATA. Their system automatically routes all calls to the alternate number. When connection is restored, this feature is disabled and calls are sent to the home number.
This is separate from the 'always on' call forwarding. eg: I don't want all home calls to be forwarded to my cell phone; only when there's a problem with the home line.
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby dibsmft » 08/16/2012

neptune wrote:Thanks Steve. Couple of follow-up questions:

Voicemail: Does FPL send email with the voicemail audio file attached?
Ok. But its not the same as what Vonage does (they also offer call forwarding). Basically, this feature is only enabled when their network loses connectivity with customer's ATA. Their system automatically routes all calls to the alternate number. When connection is restored, this feature is disabled and calls are sent to the home number.
This is separate from the 'always on' call forwarding. eg: I don't want all home calls to be forwarded to my cell phone; only when there's a problem with the home line.


Yes, FPL can be set to forward voicemail to email (but, at present DellVoice does not offer this).

I think one option is to forward calls to another number on no answer and if that is the case I suppose it might do for you. I have no regular land line phone but I do have power back up (solar with 12 volt battery) that will run the modem and phone for hours on a power failure (very rare here but I have used it in a 2 day failure). If DSL fails then I do have a cell phone but I cannot remember the last time that DSL failed (I think the last time was when there was a fire in the exchange!).
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby Bloodsong » 08/16/2012

neptune wrote:Thanks Steve. Couple of follow-up questions:

Voicemail: Does FPL send email with the voicemail audio file attached?

FONGO_steve wrote:Network Availability Number - we support call forwarding. If your ATA is disconnected for any reason (internet down, power outage, etc) then your call will always progress to the next stage. That might be call forwarding if you have it setup, or just voicemail. Default would be forward then voicemail if unanswered on the forward destination.


Ok. But its not the same as what Vonage does (they also offer call forwarding). Basically, this feature is only enabled when their network loses connectivity with customer's ATA. Their system automatically routes all calls to the alternate number. When connection is restored, this feature is disabled and calls are sent to the home number.
This is separate from the 'always on' call forwarding. eg: I don't want all home calls to be forwarded to my cell phone; only when there's a problem with the home line.


In FPL it's actually called "Follow Me" and it can be set-up as an always on or a conditional forward. Presently the only condition supported is a failure to answer the primary line. If the Primary line is down it skips to the first in the Follow me List.

FPL also supports Simulntaneous Ring feature for multiple numbers.
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby neptune » 08/16/2012

Bloodsong wrote:In FPL it's actually called "Follow Me" and it can be set-up as an always on or a conditional forward. Presently the only condition supported is a failure to answer the primary line. If the Primary line is down it skips to the first in the Follow me List.

FPL also supports Simulntaneous Ring feature for multiple numbers.


Right I understand that part. But doesn't look like its the same feature as Network Availability Number. Because if the network connection is up, then I would want the home call to go to voicemail if not answered. Only time when it should be forwarded to another number (cell phone) is if FPL network can't 'see' my home ATA. Don't think thats possible based on these discussions so far.

Anyway, its not a deal breaker, but would be a great thing to have.
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby tbrummell » 08/16/2012

neptune wrote:
Don't think thats possible based on these discussions so far.


No, that is not possible with FPL at this time. Voip.ms does this. If your account is not registered you can have an alternate destination, such as a cell. Not something FPL does as they can't ensure they get their connect fee this way. If the call goes straight to vmail, they get their connect fee.
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby Bloodsong » 08/17/2012

Shall we start a feature request topic in the other sub forum for a new condition on the follow me?
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby neptune » 08/17/2012

Bloodsong wrote:Shall we start a feature request topic in the other sub forum for a new condition on the follow me?


That would be fantastic! :D
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby FONGO_steve » 08/17/2012

Bloodsong wrote:Shall we start a feature request topic in the other sub forum for a new condition on the follow me?


I've made note of it :) Right now our current system doesn't support this type of follow-me (on lost registration), but it's definitely something we won't loose sight of in case it could be accommodated in the future.
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Re: Feature comparison: Vonage vs FPL

Postby neptune » 08/17/2012

Wow that's great to hear! Wonderful customer service :)
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