Vonage Vs. Qwest

Vonage calling plans are only available for landline phone numbers. Most available Vonage plans offer unlimited local and domestic calls; however, some less expensive plans have restricted local and domestic call minutes. Vonage also offers several international calling plans, as well as phone packages for small businesses. All Qwest home phone services include unlimited local calling. Packages can be tailored to include expanded services like reduced-cost long-distance calling and features such as caller identification and voice mail.

Qwest cell phone service is offered in partnership with Verizon, and features unlimited calls to any phone on the Verizon network. Qwest offers phone service for both landlines and cell phones, and these packages can be bundled or purchased separately. You do not have to purchase a cell phone plan if you purchase a home phone plan from Qwest, but if you want to take advantage of Qwest's cell phone plan, you must bundle it with a Qwest home phone plan. Cell phones are not covered on a Vonage phone adapter, and Vonage does not offer any plans specific to cell phones.

Unlike traditional phone lines, which are routed through telephone lines that are either buried under ground or strung from telephone poles, Vonage runs on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which uses high-speed Internet to direct phone calls. To use a Vonage phone plan, you must purchase a Vonage adapter that connects to your high-speed Internet line. The adapter supports two cordless or existing cord phones at once, and additional phone or fax lines can be purchased for an additional fee. Qwest offers phone plans that are carried by traditional landlines and VoIP plans. You need to purchase an adapter from Qwest if you choose an Internet-based phone service.

While all Vonage calling plans require high-speed Internet access to work, Vonage itself does not offer any Internet packages. High-speed internet will have to be secured from another provider. Qwest offers many Internet packages, and most Internet packages can be purchased, either independent of phone packages or bundled together for a discounted rate. Internet costs are based directly on the speed of connection, and Qwest offers high-speed and digital subscriber line (DSL) Internet that transfers at rates from the slower 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps) to an extremely fast 40 Mbps. The faster the internet transfer rate, the higher the cost.