ViaTalk Review
ViaTalk is a voice-over-IP (VoIP) provider based in New York state. ViaTalk provides a solid set of basic features to home and business customers.
Standard Features For All Accounts
There are a few features we have come to expect from a VoIP provider, and ViaTalk has them. They include voicemail, call forwarding, CallerID controls, call routing, local and long distance dialing, e911 support, and free in-network calling. Hardware for getting your phones connected to the internet is provided as part of the service, but must be returned if you terminate service.
Here is more on how ViaTalk implements a few of their features:
Voicemail – ViaTalk’s voicemail gives you the ability to check your voicemail messages from any phone, web browser or your email program. When you set up your voicemail for email checking, a .wav file can be sent to the address you specify in your Control Panel. You can also get notification on AIM, or through an SMS text message.
Call Forwarding – The call forwarding feature does more than just forward all calls. You can set it up to forward calls when there are network problems, or forward your number to another VoIP device anywhere in the world. This can allow you to temporarily hand-off your incoming calls to a colleague with an existing IP-based phone account.
Call Routing – Call routing handles incoming and outgoing calls based on criteria of your choosing. For example, you can use these features to block outbound calls to specific phone numbers or all overseas numbers. Outbound call routing also allows you to record calls made to specific numbers. Inbound routing lets you manage calls based on specified CallerID information.
Managing CallerID – ViaTalk gives you a great deal of control over how CallerID information is handled. Using Custom CallerID, you can modify the information displayed on your phone for any given phone number. Call Privacy enables you to turn off your CallerID information when you make outbound calls. You can alternately provide a list of phone numbers which will still see your information even though Call Privacy is enabled.
Anonymous calls, those with no CallerID information, can be handled in several ways at your discretion. Using Anonymous Call Routing, you can block them, send a busy signal, send them directly to voicemail, or authenticate, which asks them to type in a short series of numbers to verify they are not an automated caller.
Available Plans
You can choose between an unlimited residential service, a 1500 minute business plan or an unlimited business plan. All of these relate to calls made in the U.S. or Canada. ViaTalk lists the same features for both residential and business accounts. The only difference is business clients get a free fax line worth around 10 dollars a month. Residential accounts come with 60 minutes of overseas calls per month, but free international calling is not listed as a feature of the business plans.