5. Verizon VoiceWing

If I were an existing Verizon DSL subscriber, VoiceWing would have cost me $29.95 a month. But since I rely on Comcast for my broadband Internet connection, Verizon quoted me a $34.95 monthly fee. Nothing wrong with proven and loyal subscribers getting a break here and there, so the extra $5 is fair enough. At the time I signed up, a $29.95 activation fee was waived.

Once I reached the first of four sign-up pages, I completed a series of check boxes and menus that informed me a VoiceWing number was available for Beaverton, Oregon - a local call - and just over the hill from my home town (Portland, Oregon). I passed on the opportunity to get a second VoIP number for $9.95. I entered a user I.D. and a Password, but was instructed to choose a password with both letters and at least one number. I sometimes fail to remember such combinations, so I recorded it in a password file I keep on my PC.

Figure 3: Verizon Voicewing Plan Features
(click image to enlarge)

During the registration process, I was reminded of one of VoIPs faults - most services, such as VoiceWing, do not easily handle Emergency 911 calls. That's because unlike a fixed land line, VoIP calls from a specific IP address do not necessarily mean the call has been placed from the corresponding physical address.

VoiceWing's Personal Manager Software allows you to enter your home address, which will be associated with your home phone number. However, if I were to access my VoiceWing account from my laptop while I was traveling, an emergency responder would have no clue where I was calling from.

By the way, Verizon had the distinction of being the only carrier of the group reviewed that reveals its Terms and Conditions only after you start the sign-up process and establish a username and password. Shame!