EmailBest Reviewed
VoIP
- Best voice quality and reliability Cable-company VoIP *Est. $40
- Most VoIP features Vonage *Est. $25
- Hardware VoIP with no monthly fee Ooma *Est. $215
- Free VoIP software Skype *Est. $0
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- Good pricing, call quality
- Works with any broadband provider, not just AT&T
- Has 911 service for all
- Fewer features than Vonage
The most credible ratings of VoIP services give high marks to AT&T CallVantage, though usually there is not a huge difference between first place and last place. AT&T CallVantage is the default choice here for Internet phone calls, based on widespread availability, usability with any broadband service (you don't need AT&T's), features and good pricing. However, CallVantage is being phased out by AT&T and new enrollments are not being accepted.
We found the best coverage at ConsumerReports.org, where nine VoIP and VoIP-like services are ranked in a chart with more traditional phone service as part of a broader report on bundling your Internet, TV and telephone services with one provider. Unfortunately, you'll need a subscription to see the rankings. PCMag.com surveys readers about the quality of tech support (2008) and overall satisfaction (2006). Users rate VoIP services on a slew of factors at DSLReports.com. Some services get little feedback, some get a lot. We found about 150 there on AT&T CallVantage.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
This report concerns bundled services, but the subscribers-only ratings chart breaks the services into separate categories and several VoIP and VoIP-type services are ranked among the standard and cable phone services. AT&T CallVantage is among them.
Review: Internet, TV, Phone: Bundling Can Cut Bills, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Feb. 2008
This annual service and reliability survey focuses on tech support, and AT&T CallVantage ranks third among six mainstream VoIP services. Overall scores are very close, though, ranging from 7.5 to 8.3.
Review: The Best (and Worst) Tech Support in America: VoIP, Sascha Segan and Eric Griffith, July 29, 2008
This dated customer-satisfaction poll of PC Magazine readers puts AT&T CallVantage in second place, barely beaten by Cablevision Optimum Voice. AT&T CallVantage does top Optimum in sound quality and non-technical support.
Review: Readers' Choice: VoIP Survey, Editors of PCMag.com, Sept. 20, 2006
AT&T CallVantage gets a Gold award based on its very high ratio of good user reviews compared with bad. Its highest scores are for call quality; its lowest for tech support.
Review: AT&T CallVantage Reviews, Editors of and Contributors to DSLReports.com
5. CNET
This report is a relic - an update of one from 2004 - but some of the more than 60 user reviews are a lot more recent and overall a bit less complimentary than CNET's rating of "very good." Complaints mostly concern customer service and call quality.
Review: AT&T CallVantage, Neil Randall, Updated March 22, 2005
Unfortunately, this customer-satisfaction survey mixes VoIP with traditional long-distance services, so it's not specific enough to rank higher here. AT&T doesn't win any region, but fares no worse than average in any.
Review: 2008 Residential Regional Telephone Customer Satisfaction Study, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, Sept. 10, 2008
VoIP Runners Up:
6 picks including: Calling-Plans.com, My Rate Plan…
3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
