What are the advantages of using your service over my current line? The main advantage of using our service is SAVINGS. Compared to traditional phone lines, you can save up to 66% per month. Another big advantage is portability. With VoIP Hiway, you can get phone service, anywhere in the world as long as you have broadband internet access. This means, you can move anywhere, anytime you want. If you move a lot, you will no longer have to pay for expensive setup and moving charges. If you travel a lot, you will no longer have to pay long distance charges to call home.
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What are the differences between your phone service and my current phone line? Our phone service works virtually the same way as your phone current service. It has the same selection of call features and works with any a standard phone set. It is a lot cheaper than your current phone service and you will also save on long distance. Best of all, our phone service is PORTABLE, which means you can bring your phone line with you to anywhere you go. All you need is a High Speed Internet connection and you will be able to get phone service, anywhere in the world.
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Do I have to pay a deposit on the Phone Adapter? Yes, there is a $50 deposit which will be refunded to you provided that all components of your VoIP Hiway Phone Adapter device is returned in working and salable condition.
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What are your Long Distance Rates? Click here for a complete list of our long distance distance rates.
What type of High Speed Internet will work with VoIP Hiway? VoIP Hiway works with any high speed internet connection including Cable or ADSL.
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Can I use your service with a dial-up Internet connection? No. Our phone service requires an "ALWAYS -ON" Internet connection.
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Is it very complicated to install? Not at all. You simply connect your existing phone to your ADSL/cable modem using our adapter. Then plug in the device to a power socket and you're ready to go! It takes only a few minutes to setup.
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My Cable/DSL Provider offers a Lite service, will VoIP Hiway work with this type of broadband connection? Yes. Even though Lite, or entry level, broadband connections are slower than regular broadband service there is still enough speed to support a VoIP Hiway phone call without any sacrifice in quality.
However it is important to note that many Lite broadband connections may only allow one device to connect to the internet at a time. In such cases you will need a router (~$60 CAD) to allow multiple devices to connect to a Lite connection. Routers also provide firewall protection to your network from hackers and many viruses. Shaw Lite is an example of a broadband connection which only allows one device to connect.
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Will my phone line work if my computer is turned off? Voice Over IP (VoIP) telephone service does not rely on your computer to function. In fact, you don't even need a computer for your phone service to work.
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Will I be able to surf the Internet and use the phone at the same time? Absolutely. Your phone service is not related to your computer at all.
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Can I make 911 calls? Yes, basic 911 service is available. Please note there are some important differences between 911 dialing with VOIP and traditional phone lines. For details, please click here.
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Can the service work with my monitored home alarm system? A monitored home alarm system that connects back to the alarm company either by using your home telephone line, or by using a cellphone-type service. Please check with your alarm company which method is used by your home alarm. If you have an alarm system that uses your traditional telephone line, we do not recommend trying to modify your phone wiring yourself. The procedure for connecting your VOIP service to the alarm system can be complicated and varies heavily, depending on the wiring methods used in your home.
A professional electrician will usually be needed to make the modifications for such a setup. Note that any fees collected by such professionals are strictly yours to bear.
Although our VOIP service can work with some home alarm systems, we do not recommend it. If for any reason you lose your Internet connectivity - whether due to a power outage or problem with your Internet Service Provider, for example - the VOIP line may stop working, thus rendering your monitored alarm system ineffective. Given the difficulty and expense in re-wiring, we would suggest instead that you consider upgrading your alarm system to a cellphone-type. Thus your alarm system would be able to use the local Cellular network to make emergency calls when the alarm triggers. Most alarm companies now offer such upgrades for minimal fees, usually worked into the monthly rate itself.
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How long does it take to get my phone line activated? You will need to get our VoIP Hiway adapter, which we will send to you in about 24-48 hours after we receive your application. Shipping takes about 7 days, but you can pick up the adapter from our office and and start using your phone service right away. Please refer to the Contact Us page for office our location.
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Will my number be listed in the phone book? If you get a new number from us, it will not be listed in the phone book unless you request otherwise. Only business numbers can be listed. Residential numbers will not be listed unless your number was transferred to us and was previously listed before.
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What happens if I move? You simply unplug your phone & our adapter and plug it into your new home's high speed Internet line and you will get a dial tone immediately. Anyone who calls you at your number will get through to you at your new location. You do not need to configure anything. There is no need for any technician visits. There are no move fees.
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What happens if I travel? You simply bring your adapter along, plug it into your hotel's high speed Internet line and into your phone there. You will instantly get a dialtone. You can call anyone in home area code. Anyone in your home area code can reach you at your same home number. These calls are considered 'local' and there are no long distance charges.
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