FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Will I need to purchase any additional equipment to use the service?
- What is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
- What are the system requirements for using my VoIP Phone?
- If I move to a new address, can I take my VoIP phone service with me?
- Can Starpower be used to call 911 emergency services?
- Can I keep my current phone number?
Will I need to purchase any additional equipment to use the
service?
All you need is a Broadband connection, a VoIP Phone adapter, and an analog phone.
The analog phone will connect to your VoIP Phone adapter, which will connect to your
Internet connection. You will only need additional equipment if you wish to use your
Internet connection for your VoIP Phone together with any other device sharing your
Internet (such as computers). In this case you will need a Router, which is a device
that is used for home networking and enables you to connect multiple devices to 'share'
your Cable/DSL connection. Routers can be purchased at most retail computer stores.
What is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
Voice over IP is voice communications transported via the Internet. The analog telephone
adapter converts your voice into packets of data that are routed over the Internet to
the person you want to call. VoIP works just like your regular phone. To make a call,
you simply pick up your phone and dial.
What are the system requirements for using my VoIP Phone?
When using your VoIP Phone Service, all that you need is:
- Broadband Internet (DSL, Cable, or LAN).
- Broadband Internet connection speed of 64 Kbps or higher.
- Router (with an available Ethernet Port).
- Telephone (any analog telephone, even a cordless one)
If I move to a new address, can I take my VoIP phone service with me?
You can take your VoIP phone service with you as long as you still have a high-speed
Internet connection, router and adapter.
Can Starpower be used to call 911 emergency services?
Starpower can be used to call the emergency number 911. Starpower will provide service
only in those areas of the United States where Starpower can direct the customer’s 911
call to the appropriate emergency response center in a manner consistent with the
applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, FCC rules and
requirements. The address associated with an E911 call on RCN's Starpower Service is
specific to Customer's original service location only. Movement of the Starpower Adapter
from the original service location to a new service location may result in a mistaken
identification of the E911 call as having come from the original service location. If
the customer has call forwarding, locate me, do not disturb, or other features programmed
and in use at the time they make a 911 call, and their 911 call is interrupted, the
emergency dispatcher may not be able to call back to the customer at the phone from which
they dialed the call. 911 will not function correctly if they move their Adapter to a
different location than the location they have currently registered. 911 calling will
only be routed correctly if the customer updates their service address in accordance with
the instructions on Starpower website. Until the customer updates their service address
and allow sufficient time for the update to be made in certain E911 records, RCN recommends
that the customer use alternative means of accessing 911. Furthermore, 911 dialing on
RCN's Starpower Service will not function in the event of a power failure or improper
network connection and/or function.
Can I keep my current phone number?
Yes. If a customer wants to transfer an existing local phone number for use in connection
with the Starpower Service, the following terms and conditions apply for the customer:
- The customer will need to authorize RCN Starpower to process the order for the service and to notify the local telephone company of the customer’s decision to switch their local services to the Starpower Service and to transfer the existing telephone number. Additionally, the customer must be authorized to take these actions;
- The customer must agree to install and activate their Starpower Adapter prior to the date on which the number switch becomes effective (“Port Effective Date”);
- The customer will be provided a temporary telephone number until the transfer is completed. Calls may be placed and received this temporary number until such time as the respective phone number is transferred; and
- RCN Starpower has the right to refuse to import a number if, in its sole discretion, it does not have the infrastructure to support the number.
