Broadvoice Reviewer's Comments

Rounding out the top three is a service that has the potential to one day sweep the #1 spot. “TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award” winner, BroadVoice is one of the few services that only offers unlimited minute plans. The Unlimited World plan includes calls to the U.S., Canada and 19 additional countries for less than $20 per month.

The only thing edging BroadVoice out of a higher spot is their feature’s set. Although BroadVoice includes all the features you’d expect to see in a comprehensive VOIP service, including free directory assistance, BroadVoice’s features do not seem to go above and beyond like the #2 service, ViaTalk.

Service Plan and Fees :  

BroadVoice Unlimited World Plan includes unlimited calls to 21 countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland and more. They also include reasonable and competitive per minute rates to countries outside your calling plan.

BroadVoice charges a $39.95 activation fee and a $39.95 cancellation fee if you discontinue service after your 30-day trial. Like most VOIP services, this fee is waived if you’ve been a subscriber for at least one year.

Additional plan options include an unlimited in-state plan for $9.95, an expanded Unlimited World Plus plan that includes calling to 35 countries for $25.95 and a business plan option at $29.95. BroadVoice is the only service we reviewed that also included a Video Phone option. For $34.95 a month BroadVoice supplies you with a video phone called the Ojo. However, the video can only be displayed if the person on the other end also has a video phone.

Features:  

BroadVoice includes 19 standard features and seven advanced features in all of its calling packages including E911, Call Forwarding, Caller ID with Name, Call Transfer, Call Waiting Simultaneous Ring and more. They even include free 411 Directory Assistance (the #1 service, Vonage , does not.)

This service includes all the features you’d expect to seen in a comprehensive phone service; however, we felt some of the services, like the #2 ViaTalk, went just a bit above and beyond the usual features, leaving BroadVoice to receive a slightly less than perfect score.

Ease of Installation/Setup:  

Like all VOIP services, BroadVoice requires a high-speed Internet connection like cable or DSL. BroadVoice will include an adapter or you can choose to use your own (one that you’ve bought at a store.) BroadVoice will not work with an adapter that has been locked by another provider like Vonage or Comcast.

Help/Support:  

BroadVoice’s support page includes an installation and troubleshooting section and FAQs for new comers, general questions and billing. You can also contact BroadVoice by phone and email. Our emails were responded to and answered by the following day with a quick and curious answer.

However, we would have like to see BroadVoice include a knowledgebase or some kind of search function to their FAQs for easier question answering.

Summary:  

Broadvoice missed second place by the skin of it’s teeth; however, if you are looking for a VOIP service with more calling areas opposed to fancy features don’t count this service out.