Vonage Directed Share Program FAQs

    General Questions

  1. What is the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?
  2. What is the initial public offering?
  3. What is the prospectus?
    Eligibility Questions
  1. Am I eligible to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program? What do I need to do in order to participate? 
  2. I think I meet the eligibility criteria set forth above, but my registration on this website was rejected. What is the problem?
  3. Can a friend or relative of an eligible Vonage customer participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?
  4. Several family members use the same Vonage account. Who is eligible to participate?
  5. I am the Vonage account holder but someone else pays my Vonage bill for me. Am I eligible to participate?
    Account Information and W-9 Questions 
  1. What is a limited purpose brokerage account?
  2. I already have a brokerage account at Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown, a division of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. or UBS Financial Services Inc. Can I purchase Vonage common stock through that account?
  3. May I participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program through a qualified plan, such as a 401(k) or IRA?
  4. How do I open a limited purpose brokerage account so I can participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?
  5. Are limited purpose brokerage accounts the same at Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown, a division of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and UBS Financial Services Inc.?
  6. Can I open a limited purpose brokerage account jointly with my spouse?
  7. What happens if I do not fill out the W-9 form on this website?
    Conditional Offer Questions
  1. What is a conditional offer?
  2. Can I withdraw my conditional offer?
  3. Can I change my conditional offer?
  4. How will I find out if my conditional offer has been accepted?
  5. When do I become obligated to purchase Vonage common stock through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?
    Other Program Related Questions
  1. How many shares of Vonage common stock can I purchase through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?
  2. When can I sell the shares I purchase through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?
  3. How will I find out about updates relating to the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?
  4. I have completed all the required steps on this website. What happens now?
    Payment Questions
  1. How can I pay for my shares of Vonage common stock?
  2. What is the deadline for paying for my shares of Vonage common stock?
    Contact Questions
  1. Who can I contact with questions about the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?
  2. I am not sure if an investment in Vonage's common stock is right for me. Who can I contact to discuss my questions about investing?
    Allocation Questions
  1. Why was I allocated fewer than the number of shares I specified in my conditional offer?
  2. Why wasnt I allocated any shares?

  General Questions

What is the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?

Vonage is proposing to conduct an initial public offering of its common stock. In connection with the initial public offering, Vonage has requested that the underwriters reserve shares of common stock for sale to certain of its customers at the initial public offering price. The Vonage Customer Directed Share Program is the program through which the underwriters will make these shares available for purchase by eligible Vonage customers. The terms and conditions of the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program are set forth in detail on the Terms and Conditions page which can be accessed from the Main Menu of this website.

What is the initial public offering?

The initial public offering will be Vonages first offering of shares of its common stock for purchase by the public. The proposed initial public offering is described in the registration statement of Vonage Holdings Corp. that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the Securities and Exchange Commissions website at www.sec.gov. A copy of the prospectus currently on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which forms a part of the registration statement, is available by clicking on the Prospectus link on the bottom of each page of this website.

What is the prospectus?

The prospectus is a document that contains important information relating to an investment in Vonages common stock. Before making any decision to invest in Vonages common stock, you should understand and carefully consider all the information contained in the prospectus, especially the information set forth under the heading Risk Factors. A copy of the prospectus currently on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission is available by clicking on the Prospectus link on the bottom of each page of this website.

Eligibility Questions

Am I eligible to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program? What do I need to do in order to participate?

In order to be eligible to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program you must meet the following criteria:

  • You opened an account directly with Vonage America on or prior to December 15, 2005. You must have opened your account with Vonage America and not through a third-party wholesaler.
     
  • You maintained your Vonage account in good standing through February 1, 2006. You are not eligible if you cancelled your Vonage service or if your Vonage service was terminated before February 1, 2006, even if you subsequently reinstated your service.
     
  • You are a U.S. citizen.
     
  • You will be a U.S. resident as of the date of the consummation of Vonages initial public offering.
     
  • You have a valid U.S. social security number.
     
  • You are a natural person. No entities, such as companies or trusts, are eligible to participate.
     
  • You must be eligible to open a limited purpose brokerage account at Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown, a division of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. or UBS Financial Services Inc.

In order to purchase shares of Vonage common stock in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program, you also must complete the following steps on this website:

  1. Carefully review the prospectus relating to the initial public offering of Vonages common stock. You must indicate that you have had the opportunity to review the prospectus. A copy of the prospectus is available by clicking on the Prospectus link on the bottom of each page of this website. If the prospectus is amended, a new version of the prospectus will be posted on this website. You will need to review any amendments to the prospectus in order to continue to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program.
     
  2. Carefully review each of the risk factors set forth on this website. You must indicate that you have had the opportunity to review each of the risk factors in order to remain eligible to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program.
     
  3. Use this website to open a limited purpose brokerage account at either Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown, a division of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. or UBS Financial Services Inc. More information about the terms of the accounts offered by each financial institution and the account-opening process is included elsewhere on this website.
     
  4. Submit a conditional offer to purchase a number of shares of Vonage common stock by the time and date stated elsewhere on this website.
     
  5. Check this website on a regular basis. Important notices about your participant account and the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program will be given to you through this website. If you fail to read these notices and take appropriate action, you may lose your ability to purchase shares of Vonage common stock through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. For example, if the initial public offering price is set above or below the expected range, or if the expected initial public offering price range is changed, your conditional offer will become invalid and you will need to enter a new conditional offer in order to continue to participate. Your conditional offer also may become invalid in certain other circumstances. If your conditional offer becomes invalid, you will be notified through information posted on this website.

I think I meet the eligibility criteria set forth above, but my registration on this website was rejected. What is the problem?

If you are having trouble registering, please try the following tips:

  • Vonage Account Number: To find your Vonage account number, please log into your Vonage web account, located at www.vonage.com. Once you log on, you will see your 10-digit Vonage account number in the top right corner of the screen.
     
  • Zip Code in the Credit Card Billing Address: You must enter the zip code on record with Vonage as part of your billing address as of February 1, 2006. If you have changed your billing address since February 1, 2006, you must use the previous zip code.
     
  • E-Mail: You must enter the e-mail address at which the Vonage account holder was receiving Vonage e-mails as of February 1, 2006. This e-mail address is the address to which Vonage sent an e-mail notifying you of the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. This e-mail address does not need to be valid as of todays date, and you will have an opportunity to update this e-mail address later.

Can a friend or relative of an eligible Vonage customer participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?

No. Only eligible Vonage customers may purchase shares of Vonage common stock through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. Eligibility to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program is not transferable in any circumstances.

Several family members use the same Vonage account. Who is eligible to participate?

Each Vonage America account is paid for with a U.S. credit card. The person whose name is associated with that credit card (that is, the billing party for the Vonage America account) is the only person who may be eligible to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. Other account users are not eligible. Eligibility to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program is not transferable in any circumstances.

I am the Vonage account holder but someone else pays my Vonage bill for me. Am I eligible to participate?

No. Only the person who is on record as the billing party for your account may be eligible to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. Eligibility to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program is not transferable in any circumstances.

Account Information and W-9 Questions

What is a limited purpose brokerage account?

A limited purpose brokerage account opened through this website is a brokerage account that can be used only to purchase, hold, sell or transfer the shares of Vonage common stock that are allocated to you for purchase in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. A limited purpose brokerage account opened through this website cannot be used to purchase or hold any other shares of Vonage common stock or any other securities.

The terms and conditions of limited purpose brokerage accounts at Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown, a division of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and UBS Financial Services Inc. may be different. Details about the terms and conditions of limited purpose brokerage accounts at each institution are available on the Limited Purpose Brokerage Account Form page which can be accessed from the Main Menu of this website.

I already have a brokerage account at Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown, a division of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. or UBS Financial Services Inc. Can I purchase Vonage common stock through that account?

No. You will not be permitted to use your existing brokerage accounts to purchase shares allocated to you through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. You will be permitted to purchase shares of Vonage common stock allocated to you in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program only through a limited purpose brokerage account at one of those financial institutions. Even if you already have a brokerage account at one of those financial institutions, you must open a new limited purpose brokerage account through this website.

After you have purchased shares using the limited purpose brokerage account you open through this website, you may be able to transfer those shares into your existing brokerage accounts. Instructions for transferring your shares to another brokerage account can be found in the terms and conditions of your limited purpose brokerage account, which are posted elsewhere on this website.

May I participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program through a qualified plan, such as a 401(k) or IRA?

No. You will be permitted to purchase shares of Vonage common stock allocated to you in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program only through a limited purpose brokerage account opened through this website at either Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown, a division of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. or UBS Financial Services Inc.

How do I open a limited purpose brokerage account so I can participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?

You will be prompted to select the financial institution at which you would like to open your limited purpose brokerage account elsewhere on this website. After you select a financial institution, you will be presented with an account-opening questionnaire. You must provide all of the information requested on the questionnaire. The financial institution you select also may require additional information from you in order to open a limited purpose brokerage account for you. In certain circumstances, you may be ineligible to open a limited purpose brokerage account even if you complete the account-opening questionnaire.

Are limited purpose brokerage accounts the same at Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown, a division of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and UBS Financial Services Inc.?

The terms and conditions of limited purpose brokerage accounts at each financial institution may be different. Details about the terms and conditions of accounts at each financial institution are available elsewhere on this website.

Can I open a limited purpose brokerage account jointly with my spouse?

No. However, after you have purchased shares using the limited purpose brokerage account you open through this website, you will be able to transfer those shares into another brokerage account, such as a joint account you have with your spouse. Please contact your financial institution for more information.

What happens if I do not fill out the W-9 form on this website?

If you do not complete the W-9 form on this website, your financial institution will be required to withhold taxes in an amount equal to 28% of the proceeds from any shares you purchase through this program and sell through your limited purpose brokerage account.

Conditional Offer Questions

What is a conditional offer?

A conditional offer is an offer by you to purchase up to the number of shares of Vonage common stock you specify at any price within the expected initial public offering price range set forth on this website.

If you submit a conditional offer, you may withdraw your conditional offer at any time until we post an acceptance notification to this website, which will not occur until after the registration statement has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the initial public offering price of Vonages common stock has been determined. The posting of the acceptance notification will constitute the underwriters acceptance of your conditional offer. Once your conditional offer has been accepted, you will become obligated to purchase the number of shares you have been allocated at the initial public offering price. If the conditional offers placed by eligible Vonage customers exceed the number of shares that have been reserved for sale through this program, you may be allocated fewer than the number of shares you have conditionally offered to purchase, or no shares at all.

You must check this website regularly for any notices or announcements relating to your conditional offer and the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. If the expected initial public offering price range is changed, or if the initial public offering price is set above or below the final price range, your original conditional offer will become invalid and you will need to enter a new conditional offer in order to continue to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. Your conditional offer also may become invalid in certain other circumstances.

Can I withdraw my conditional offer?

You may withdraw your conditional offer at any time until we post an acceptance notification to this website, which will not occur until after the registration statement has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the initial public offering price of Vonages common stock has been determined.

Can I change my conditional offer?

Once you have entered a conditional offer, you may change your conditional offer only by withdrawing the conditional offer you entered and submitting a new conditional offer. Please note that while you can withdraw your conditional offer at any time until an acceptance notification is posted to this website, you may enter new conditional offers only until the deadline posted on the main menu.

How will I find out if my conditional offer has been accepted?

After the registration statement relating to Vonages initial public offering has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the initial public offering price of Vonages common stock has been set, an acceptance notification will be posted to this website if your conditional offer has been accepted and you have been allocated shares to purchase in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. The acceptance notification may be posted in as little as one hour after the initial public offering price is determined and posted on this website.

When do I become obligated to purchase Vonage common stock through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?

After the registration statement relating to Vonages initial public offering has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the initial public offering price of Vonages common stock has been set, acceptance notifications will be posted to this website. The posting of an acceptance notification will constitute the underwriters acceptance of your conditional offer. The acceptance notification may be posted in as little as one hour after the initial public offering price is determined and posted on this website. Once your conditional offer has been accepted, you will become obligated to purchase the number of shares you have been allocated at the initial public offering price.

You must check this website regularly for any notices or announcements relating to your conditional offer and the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. If the expected initial public offering price range is changed, or if the initial public offering price is set above or below the final price range, your conditional offer will become invalid and you will need to re-enter your conditional offer or enter a new conditional offer in order to continue to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. Your conditional offer also may become invalid in certain circumstances.

Other Program Related Questions

How many shares of Vonage common stock can I purchase through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?

If you choose to participate, you must make a conditional offer to purchase at least 100 and no more than 5,000 shares of Vonage common stock through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. You should only place a conditional offer for the number of shares for which you are willing and able to pay. If the conditional offers placed by eligible Vonage customers exceed the number of shares that have been reserved for sale through this program, you may be allocated fewer than the number of shares you have conditionally offered to purchase, or no shares at all.

If you have entered a valid conditional offer as of the date on which the initial public offering price for Vonages common stock is set, you will be notified through this website of the number of shares you have been allocated to purchase, if any. The notification of the number of shares you have been allocated to purchase will be posted to this website on the date the initial public offering price is determined.

When can I sell the shares I purchase through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?

You may place an order to sell the shares you purchase in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program as soon as the trading of Vonage common stock begins on the New York Stock Exchange. Even if you place an order to sell your shares, you will remain obligated to pay in full for the shares you have been allocated through this program. No proceeds from your sale of those shares will be available to you until the financial institution at which you opened your limited purpose brokerage account has received your full payment for the shares and funds have settled.

Please contact your financial institution for more information.

How will I find out about updates relating to the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?

Information relating to the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program and your participant account will be provided to you through this website. Although we may send e-mails to your registered e-mail address, you should assume that we will not contact you other than through this website. No information about the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program or your participant account will be provided through Vonages website or your Vonage account website.

You must check this website regularly for notices about your participant account, updated instructions for participating in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program and other announcements. If you fail to read these notices and take appropriate action, you may lose your ability to purchase shares of Vonage common stock through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program.

I have completed all the required steps on this website. What happens now?

You must continue to check this website on a regular basis. Important notices about your participant account and the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program will be given to you through this website. If you fail to read these notices and take appropriate action, you may lose your ability to purchase shares of Vonage common stock through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program.

Once your conditional offer has been accepted, you will need to make full payment for the shares of Vonage common stock you have been allocated to purchase. You will only be able to pay by personal check or wire transfer. You will not be permitted to pay by credit card, debit card, money order or a check from someone other than yourself. Your payment must be received by the financial institution with which you opened your limited purpose brokerage account within three business days after Vonage's common stock begins to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Payment instructions will be posted to this website once the initial public offering price has been determined. No payment will be accepted at this time.

While no payment will be accepted at this time, please note that you will become obligated to pay for all shares you are allocated. Your payment will be required to be received within three business days after Vonage's common stock begins to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. You should only place a conditional offer for the number of shares for which you are willing and able to pay.

Payment Questions

How can I pay for my shares of Vonage common stock?

No payment will be accepted at this time. Payment instructions will be posted to this website once the initial public offering price has been determined. You will be able to pay for your shares only by personal check or wire transfer. You will not be able to pay by credit card, debit card, money order or a check from someone other than yourself.

While no payment will be accepted at this time, please note that you will become obligated to pay for all shares you are allocated. Your payment will be required to be received within three business days after Vonage's common stock begins to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. You should only place a conditional offer for the number of shares for which you are willing and able to pay.

What is the deadline for paying for my shares of Vonage common stock?

If you are allocated shares to purchase through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program, full payment for those shares must be received by the third business day after Vonage's common stock begins to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Payment instructions will be posted to this website at that time.

Contact Questions

Who can I contact with questions about the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program?

Please refer to the prospectus relating to Vonages initial public offering or the other sections of this website for additional information relating to the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program.

If you have questions regarding your limited purpose brokerage account at Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown, a division of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. or UBS Financial Services Inc., you can contact the representatives listed at the bottom of this page.

You should not contact Vonage with questions about participating in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. You should not contact your financial institution or any of the underwriters with questions concerning the merits of investing in the Vonage common stock.

I am not sure if an investment in Vonages common stock is right for me. Who can I contact to discuss my questions about investing?

Any decision to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program must be made by you, based on your own independent judgment and after carefully reviewing all information contained in the prospectus relating to Vonages initial public offering. A copy of the prospectus currently on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission is available by clicking on the Prospectus link on the bottom of each page of this website.

You may wish to speak with an independent financial or tax advisor before making any decision to purchase Vonage common stock. Neither Vonage nor any of the underwriters are recommending that you purchase Vonage common stock in this program, and they cannot advise you on whether or not to make such an investment.

Allocation Questions

Why was I allocated fewer than the number of shares I specified in my conditional offer?

You were allocated fewer shares than you conditionally offered to purchase because the conditional offers placed by eligible Vonage customers exceeded the number of shares that were reserved for sale through the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program. More information about the allocation methodology employed by Vonage is available elsewhere on this website.

Why wasnt I allocated any shares?

You have not been allocated shares for purchase in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program for one or more of the following reasons:

  • If you failed to complete any of the required steps on this website, such as submitting a conditional offer or opening a limited purpose brokerage account, you failed to remain eligible to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program.
  • If you did not meet the eligibility criteria for opening a limited purpose brokerage account at the financial institution you selected, you were not eligible to participate in the Vonage Customer Directed Share Program.
  • Even if you completed all of the required steps on this website and met the eligibility criteria for opening a limited purpose brokerage account at the financial institution you selected, you may not have been allocated shares because the conditional offers placed by eligible Vonage customers exceeded the number of shares reserved for sale through this program.