Now unlimited calls to YOU if you have Vonage.

So, one reason why you go with VoIP services like Vonage is that they offer unlimited calling plans for cheap.  And so, plenty of other VoIP Internet Calling services have popped up like SunRocket, which just recently offered an unlimited plan for $8.71/month.  So why pay Vonage $24.99+tax for the same thing?  That’s what Vonage is worried about!!!

But now, Vonage has come up with at least one differentiator that I find might actually be worth something to the customer vs. marketing speak: local access numbers for people to call YOU.  That’s right, not for you to call someone else.

Here’s how it works.

Before, if you lived on the East Coast, and your brother lived on the West Coast, you could sign-up for a “viritual” number through Vonage for $5 extra/month.  This would allow you to have a (310) 555-XXXX number in L.A. that would still ring your (212) 555-XXXX Vonage line.  The benefit would be that James, your relative wouldn’t have to pay long-distance charges to call you each time.  The (310) number would be local call for him, and you get unlimited incoming calls on your Vonage line, so you guys could chat unlimited for free (kind of — remember that you’re stuck with $60/year for that “virtual” number).  Great for kids off to college, grandparents, even separate company offices, consulting partners, etc.  But all those extra $5/month can add up to connect your big family/network.

Want to shed that $5/month or $60/year?  Read on…

Vonage just launched “V-Access” numbers.  Basically, they have tons of local numbers set-up that covers most of the country (and 6 other countries too) so that it’s a local call for them (your relatives, frequent callers).  They just call the V-access local number in their area (for example, there are 13 different local access numbers for Santa Monica, CA) and then punch in your Vonage phone number and you’re connected. 

Voila — same thing as the $5/month virtual number service, but without the $60/year cost to you.  In addition, you can offer it on the fly to anyone else that you need to talk with at length, or if they are traveling, etc.