A month or so ago, we started using a service called Vonage. We pay a monthly fee (either $15 or $25/month, depending on which package you choose) and that allows for unlimited long distance calls within the US and Canada. Our primary number is in Rockford, but we also added a Vancouver number for an extra $5, so now people in Vancouver can make a local call to reach us.

How does it work? If you want to know all the details, you can check out the website, but basically it sends and receives calls through the internet (using Voice over Internet Protocol aka VoIP). If you have a high-speed internet connection (typically cable or dsl), you just plug a small box (that they send you free of charge) into your internet connection and then you plug a normal telephone into the box and it’s all ready to go.

One of the most useful features for us has been the online control panel and the ability to use call-forwarding. Since we aren’t moved into our new house yet, we have all the calls automatically forwarded to our cell phone. Through the control panel, you can set it to ring at one number for a certain period of time and if there’s no answer, it will forward to a second number. This has allowed us to give out our home phone number before we’re even moved into the house. The phone works fine for local calls, too, so the extent of our phone bill will be $25/month, including all long distance and local charges.

It’s been about a month now since we started using it and we’ve been very happy with the service. The quality is exceptional and you really can’t tell any difference from a normal phone line.

If you’re interested in signing up, (there’s no ongoing commitment – so it’s easy to try) let us know so we can send you an email that will get you a free month. Also, if you have any questions about it, let us know. We love sharing about cool new things that we find.