We will be moving to Sasebo in about a month and a half, what kind of home phone service do you all recommend? We've been looking at Vonage, since you can take it anywhere and we can have a U.S. number. Will Vonage work?

I have Lingo and it works fine. I had it BEFORE I moved to Japan. I would bet Vonage would work good too. I also have MagicJack that I hooked up AFTER I move here. The two disadvantages to MagicJack is (1) it is connected via USB to your computer, so if the computer is turned off so is your phone and (2)currently you cannot move an exsisting phone number to MagicJack (I created a new US based number (FL area code)). The quality of the calls on MagicJack has been clearer than my Lingo calls. The biggest advantage of MagicJack is that it is way cheaper than Vontage and Lingo- currently $19.95/year. I don't know the initial costs (something like $50), but it includes the first year free. Very easy to hook up. Lingo has risen in costs every year since I got it (3 years now)- and is currently at about $30/month. Once MagicJack adds the feature so I can move an existing number I will drop Lingo for good. I hope that helps a little.

All of the VOIP phone services (Vonage, MagicJack, etc) all work perfectly fine over here. We had Vonage stateside prior to transferring out here, and we just plugged everything back up and its back in business. So, yes, your Vonage will be good to go over here in Japan...

i have had vonage for 4 years over here and i love it. the only time i have had an issue with it is when there is a really bad lighting/thunderstorm and the interent is acting up or the wonderful typhoons. other then that never a problem. i pay like 29 a month for it and get my moneys worth!

Another great phone service is SKYPE, you can pay 30.00 and get a real phone number and skypeout or skype in, it means anyone can call you and you can call anyone. You can do this on your computer with a microphone and speakers, many are built in or you can buy a skype phone, cordless/wifi. I am one that has vonage/skype and magic jack. Vonage is the most like a real phone but I down scaled it to the 500 minute plan. I let folks call us on that line and I use Skype for calling out. IT is 3.00 a month. The magic Jack I have had the most problems with and if I unplug it or shut the computer down I have to run their fix it program to get it going again. If I had it all to do over again for the money I would just get a skype cordless phone....

I have Skype, but only the free video chat on my computer. It is free to use as long as you call other computers that have Skype installed. I had Windows Live at one time, but Skype works way better in my opinion. I haven't had any problems with MagicJack so far, but I have found nothing in regards to the internet is perfect. The bottom line is that comms with the states while in Japan will not be a problem. It's the local phone service that will eat your lunch!!

I would definitely recommend Vonage over all the competitors.

I have tried Magic Jack, and I dont like it because you have to keep the computer on, and if its not, you will not receive any calls.

Skype I used for about 3 years living overseas. I used to think it was great, but the quality at times was static, and I never had the adapter (which most people use now) which allows you to hook it up to a regular phone. I used to use a mic and ear piece attached to my PC. Maybe that was another reason for the static, but I did use it quite often. I didnt pay for the monthly plans or anything, which made it cost effective. You just use up your minutes and when you run out, you get more.

Vonage, I have been using for 3 years now. I absolutely love it. My family and friends love it back home also. Not only do I have a statesid #, but I have it redirect to my Japanese cell phone, when I am not at home. (however, when a call is transferred, you do have to pay for the re-direct (you do, not the caller), that is around $.11 a minute or something around those prices, for the call if you do decide to pick up the call. I like this feature, because, lets say it was an emergency, or someone back home really wanted to talk with you. They either would have to dial your Japan long 00181 number which they probably would screw up 3-4 times before they get it to ring, or they could just dial a (local #) from my home town state. I dont worry about the small costs involved, with being at the hip for 24 hour coverage if someone needed to get in touch with me. I have had the calls pick up from my mom, or my sister, and I just tell them, I would be home in about 2 or 3 hours, and I will call them back. Instead of them just getting an answering machine, they got me because the call got forwarded. I really like this feature.

2nd feature I love about vonage: Read me text for the messages left on my voicemail. Not only does the voice mall send me a text translation of the voicemail, if I receive one, but it also sends me the download of the voicemail in email, and I can even listen to it from my blackberry when I am not home. So if I miss a call, when I come outside, I have an email waiting for me, with the translation to read or just download the voice version. Just fabulous how technology is getting better and better..

3rd reason I love vonage: The first year, like someone said you pay around $19.99 (unlimited service).. Then I got smart. I called them up, and told them that I didnt use the unlimited enough to justify paying $19.99 a month and to lower my plan down to the 500 minutes for $14.99 because even 500 minutes (8 1/2 hours was long enough - per month) for me.. I dont talk on the phone all that often, but I do like having the service available if I need to use it. So the lady on the phone went back and forth with me, about plans, and blah blah blah.. I just told her no, its okay, I am not that interested.. Then she mentioned an option I didnt know about.
Paying the entire year off at 1 time. She gave me the entire year at $17.00 a month, + she included 2 additional months of service for free at the end of the 1 year. So 14 months of service for $17.00 a month. That was my 2nd year with them. The 3rd year, when it was running out, I called them up, and they LET ME KEEP the previous years plan once again. So I only pay $17.00 a month for unlimited service. Not bad, and still I dont really need the unlimited, its just nice to have and not worry about things. Its cheaper than 1 phone card you could buy at the exchange for minutes (like wayyyyy back in the day I use to do talking to my family/friends back home)..

Anyhow, hope this info helps those that have vonage, and make you realize to pick up the phone, and start to save some money talking to the rep. Ask about paying it off for 1 full year, and ask you want a discount if you do this. They want you to remain a customer, so they will be quick do oblige.

Hmm.. Interesting little fact about paying for a full year of Vonage at once, for pretty much half the cost per month. I will have to look into that...

Wow, thank you all for your input, especially you Adam, I think you answered evey question I could have had!

No problem. I definitely think vonage is in a league of their own. They even have usb adapters so your vonage can come with you when you travel or on your laptop. I have been meaning to get it, just haven't had the time. Its cheap only like $20 or $30.. It will use your account from vonage so basically unlimited everywhere you go in the world.
www.japanbases.com

I have MagicJack and it has worked perfectly for my purposes. If my computer is not on (or it's not plugged in) I get voicemail sent to my E-mail. I don't want people calling me in the middle of night anyway .  I like that it's a USB adapter so I can use it anywhere my laptop can get internet, and, it's only $20 a year! Call quality has been great so far.

Does anyone know if ooma (http://www.ooma.com/) works at Yokota? I have been searching around but most of the stuff I see is related to Vonage.

Any info is great!
Mike

Am I able to bring a cordless phone with me or does it have to be corded? i looked up the Uniden phones and it looks like they would work pretty good over there, but I want to be sure before going to get them. Do they have a GHZ requirement like cell phones do? Is there a phone that works best with Vonage or does it not matter? Adam what cell phone service do you have that allows you to forward calls to your japan-phone? Thanks!

Am I able to bring a cordless phone with me or does it have to be corded? i looked up the Uniden phones and it looks like they would work pretty good over there, but I want to be sure before going to get them. Do they have a GHZ requirement like cell phones do? Is there a phone that works best with Vonage or does it not matter?

There are rules in japan about cell phone GHZ usage. I think people use whatever they want though. The bases dont really cell cordless phones anymore. They started to, but I think they stopped. I would bring my cordless if I was use. I have been meaning to buy a new one only and have it shipped..

Adam what cell phone service do you have that allows you to forward calls to your japan-phone?

They all will work with the transfer.
Basically in vonage, it just allows you to enter in a phone number, so you enter in the 81-# which is basically your cell phone after so many rings. It really doesnt matter what carrier you go through, you just need to set it up in Vonage.
the only thing to remember, is you will have to pay the long distance transfer from the vonage to japanese cell phones, which is around 0.10 a min. But who cares! Its all about emergency anyway. If you dont pick up, you dont get charged..

Vonage!!!

I've been using Vonage for about five years now. I've taken it on deployments to P.I. Qatar, Misawa, Okinawa, Spain, Italy... I have a virtual number in two different countries, so family and friends can call me and it's only a local call to them. I' also forward calls to my cell phone. And I get voice mails delivered to my yahoo email which I check on my iphone. If I don't take the call then they leave a message then I decide if it's important. If I have to call back soon and I'm not home I use fring and skype together to call from my Iphone.

Chupa, I do the same. Good write up. I use my blackberry though to check things. Vonage is great. Pay for upfront as much as u can to save $.
www.japanbases.com

MagicJack is awesome I talk a lot with my friend in the states and also my family in Puerto Rico and you can't beat the $19.95 per year unlimited calls to US Canada & Puerto Rico, yes $19.95 per year. But like other Japanbases members mentioned yes there are other service like skype and vonage.

So if I order a Magic Jack, can I requrest a certain number? I would love to convert my current cell phone number over to a magic jack device. I know I can do this with Vonage but the price is over 10 times from expensive....

Angie

Can you get vonage if you're already here And as a new customer?

To get vonage here you need to have it sent to someone in the states then the can send it to you. I also chose my numner in my mom's area so she can call me free any time.

To ALock92, you can not request an exact number. But they will give you options, local or near local to wherever you call a lot. You can pick a certain area code and it will give you city options in that area code and numbers you can choose.