Got Local If You Want It: Vonage "Ames" At Iowans

If you're based in Des Moines, Ames, Mason City, or several other Iowa cities, you'll be able to obtain a local phone number from Vonage.

Yesterday, Vonage announced that it would be offering local IP phone numbers to Iowans in the 515 and 641 Area Codes.

That's a break fromwhat some of their competitors are doing. For example,when I recently signed up for a test of a rival service,most of my options were for area codes thousands of miles away.

Of course I know that VoIP transcendsstate boundaries, but there is the perception of locality that canmake the transition easier for those users on the fence.At this stage, "easy" is good.

Then, there is the counterargument. Let's just say I am a small town business, but one with a regional or national customer base. If I am able to place a big-city area code on my letterhead, does thatevoke a certain cosmopolitan ring? (pun not intended).

I'd like to see some posts that talk about whether you think a local number is all that important.