Should pick Linksys SPA2102 over SPA1001 IP box

iTalkBB charges an additional $15 deposit for Linksys SPA 2102 adaptor while no extra charge for SPA 1001 one. However, it has been reported that some users experiencing call/quality problem with iTalkBB had the problem fixed after upgrading to SPA2102, especially for those with low bandwidth Internet connections. So if you had any doubt about your ISP, pick Linksys SPA2102. It can make quite a difference.

Vonage ready to lower price (to comparable to iTalkBB)

The leading voip provider in the United States, Vonage, is planning to roll out a new service plan, costing $14.99+tax & fees/mo with unlimited domestic calls. This has not gone public yet, but if you are a current Vonage subscriber, you can still get it by


(1) calling customer service # 866-243-4357
(2) following the prompt to account management, and
(3) mentioning that you want to cancel service but would stay for a $14.99 plan (since others are getting it)


Many people had successfully switched to the $14.99 plan on the first shoot. So good luck trying.

It is great to see that Vonage has to lower the price due to competitions from companies like iTalkBB. The $14.99 plan comes with one year service contract. With tax & fees, it comes to around $19.xx per month, in comparison to iTalkBB's counterpart, $19.99/month (tax/fees included) residential unlimited plan. Or with $2 more, you can get the $299/14-months (averaging $21.36/month) global unlimited plan from iTalkBB, in which you get unlimited international calls to 20+ countries. Furthermore, Vonage does not have any of the advance features that iTalkBB offers. For example, in iTalkBB you get one local US number and a free China number so that people in China won't pay long distance charge to reach you. There isn't such thing in Vonage.


Final words: while you are considering switching to the $14.99 Vonage plan, you may also want to take a look at iTalkBB. You can use iTalkBB promotion code 953110 to get $10 off at sign up (here), or read more discussions, reviews and comparison in this blog.

iTalkBB customer service

The customer service line of iTalkBB (1-877-482-5503) operates 24/7 in both English and Chinese. To me, the time flexibility is definitely an advantage: you can deal with the problem at the time of your convenience, as opposed to making time in the middle of your busy day to handle it. I personally didn't have much experience in using iTalkBB's help line. However, reading some of the user reviews on various forums and blogs, I got a mixed feeling for its customer service, as some saying it is good while others complaining about it not being very helpful. Since the evaluation of customer service is typically subjective and varies case by case, I don't want to claim one way or another (you are welcome to leave your review or feedback in the post comments). But I want to do my part in making things better, if you happen to be the unfortunate one. Here is how:

When you sign up with iTalkBB with promotion code "953110" ($10 off), you may leave a comment to the post or send an email to iTalkBB.deal@gmail.com, stating your name, the plan your subscribed and iTalkBB number if known. If you encounter a service problem and find the customer service unhelpful, you may send an email to iTalkBB.deal@gmail.com (describing the problem) and I shall try my best to communicate to iTalkBB (through the dealer service channel) to get problem solved. Let's see how it works.

iTalkBB promotion code 953110

Today, an email notifying the change of China DID number (covered in a previous post here) has been sent out to iTalkBB users. In the mean time the iTalkBB Moon Festival Referral Promotion is also progressing in full swing. Use iTalkBB promotion code 953110+899xxxxxxx (referrer ID) to get another $10 off and free shipping.

iTalkBB's new China phone number

Last month, I described the alternative China DID number in one of the posts. Now an inside news says this will replace the existing iTalkBB number (17971001....) for good. In this month, the new dial-in number: "4007128899" will replace the old one. You shall tell your family or friends in China about this change so that they won't have any trouble in reaching you. Or it may be a good time to cut someone off by not telling them your new number :-)

Anyway, to use the new dial-in number, simply dial "4007128899" from a phone in China, either a land line or a cellphone. Following the voice prompt, dial in the ten-digits iTalkBB number "899xxxxxxx", then the "#" key. The 179 number and the 400 number will be both active for a short peroid time (a couple of weeks maybe), and after that the 179 number will only be playing an announcement recording notifying the replacement number. The final cut-off of the 179 number will be really soon too (in a month or so).

The "4007128899" number is expected to provide better coverage and better quality, which is good. But personally, I think iTalkBB should allow a longer time for the transition to happen.

In case the "400" number doesn't work, here are a couple of backup solutions:

(a) 4 dial-in number in Beijing: 13439377355,13439377356,13439377357,13439377358 (dial 0 first if from a land line outside Beijing); wait for it to ring and disconnect automatically; within a few seconds you will receive an incoming call (so that you don't have to pay a long distance cost) asking for the destination iTalkBB number; enter the "899xxxxxxx" number followed by the "#" key to connect.
(b) send text message "HH" to the above 4 dial-in number; within a few seconds you will receive an incoming call; the rest are the same.

If you feel you have gained useful information from this blog, you may want to bookmark this blog and check back later for more updates. If you have decided to sign up with iTalkBB, click here and use italkbb promotion code "953110" to knock $10 off.

iTalkBB PK Lingo

In the arena of affordable Internet phone service providers, Lingo is definitely a strong player. Being a subsidiary of Primus Telecom Group Inc., a Fortune 1000 global communications company with operations in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, Lingo offers very competitive deals to consumers in the United States and Canada.

Let's now see how does iTalkBB compare to Lingo by their most popular VoIP packages --- Chatter Box from Lingo versus Global Unlimited Plan from iTalkBB:

Price: iTalkBB is Cheaper

*Lingo Chatter Box: $21.95/month with first month free; plus tax and fees $4.09/month
*iTalkBB Global Unlimited: $24.99/month or $299/14-month with tax and fees included

Lingo $290.53/12 month versus iTalkBB $299/14 months

Features: iTalkBB is slightly better

Both includes: Port in existing number; Voicemail; Caller ID; Call Forwarding; 3-way Calling; 911 Emergency support; Call waiting; fax support
* In addition, Lingo offers toll free number for $4.95 a month; additional US/Canada number for $4.95 a month; additional International number for $10 a month;
* In addition, iTalkBB binds a second China phone number to your phone free of charge; offers 200 free iTalkFreedom minutes to two cellphones for annual plan subscribers; supports voicemail to be sent to email address as attachment; promotional online (Chinese) video-on-demand through iTalkBB partner

Hidden Cost: iTalkBB is slightly higher

Lingo charges $29.95 activation fee; promotional $0 for equipment; $9.95 shipping; $39.95 early termination fee; unspecified amount for non-returned equipment charge.
iTalkBB charges $0 activation fee for annual plan or $29.99 activation fee for monthly plan; $0-$15 equipment deposit; promotional $0 shipping; $69.99 early termination fee; $59.99 for non-returned equipment.

International Coverage (free call): iTalkBB is better

Both have coverage (as listed on their website) in US, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City
Lingo also offers free call to Finland
iTalkBB also offers free call to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Chile, Greece, Japan, Malaysia

Conclusion: it is reassuring to know that iTalkBB is at least as competitive as Lingo. Using promotion Code (953110) to get additional $10 discount from iTalkBB makes it an even better deal. No more waiting: Sign up here.

a few must-knows for iTalkBB new users

Having covered a broad range of topics related to the VoIP provider -- iTalkBB, I believe some sort of summary may be helpful, especially to people who may be interested in signing up its service.

* Promotions:
$19.99 off new-user-promotion (limited time)
Prevailing promotion

* Comparisons to other voip providers:
To Vonage, AT&T, Verizon, Sunrocket
To Packet8
To Vopcon

* Plan information:
Popular residential plans
Cheap second line option
International calls
videopark service

* Bewares:
need-to-know for 30 day trial period
strict cancellation policy
my wish list
no sim-ring

* Instructions on setup/specific features:
Transfer existing number to iTalkBB
Voip box setup
secrete China dial in number
3-way call
call forwarding
voice mail and voice email
wiring suggestion

* Reviews:
Why did I choose iTalkBB
Other people's review
Another review site