Anyone have any experience with a VOIP service? Vonage? OOMA? Phone Power?

[progressoid]

We still have a land line (I know, I know) and we're looking to switch to something a little less expensive.

Any recommendations for or against a provider??

[Ron Obvious]

1. We've had Vonage for years

It works as advertised. No complaints. As a side benefit, you can take the adapter with you anywhere in the world and have your local US number just work.

[progressoid]

4. What's it cost?

Looks like the cheapest plan they have is 12.99/month.

[Ron Obvious]

5. I'm not entirely sure

Somewhere in the ballpark of $20 a month, I think. We auto-pay annually on the credit card, and I don't keep a close eye on it. International calling to most countries is completely free if that matters to you.

Most people's broadband is now fast enough that VOIP works perfectly.

[progressoid]

10. Thanks, that's still better than what I'm paying now.

[begin_within]

2. I'm pretty happy with MagicJack

I paid $29.95 for one year of service. There were a couple of fees for activation and transfer of my number from AT&T, so the total was something like $80. But no more bills for a year! At least for phone. I still have AT&T for Internet, and of course VOIP requires an internet connection. (On edit: I checked and they've raised it to $35 for a year).

Test part of MagicJack is the free app you can download, and it has basically turned my iPod Touch and my iPad into phones. I can make and receive calls on them, and check my voice mail (all assuming that I am within range of wi-fi). So I can stop at a Starbucks or McDonalds and check voice mail and even make and receive calls, just as if I had a phone. The sound quality of the calls does vary, depending on the strength and speed of the wi-fi connection.

And, even if you're dialing a number in your own area code, you have to dial all 10 digits. A minor inconvenience. So depending on your wi-fi, it's not as good as having a dedicated phone, but there's no monthly bill, and that means a lot to me.

[progressoid]

3. I've heard good and bad about MagicJack.

I know someone that works at Radio Shack. He said about half of them sold get returned.

But I LIKE the idea of $35 a year!!

[Sherman A1]

6. I use it through the computer

and am not overly happy with it.

It was the original 19.99 per year. It is worth just about that and no more. Drops calls, loses connections, but for the price it is just okay.

[KT2000]

16. not good for multiple computer users

in the home. Cannot understand a word my friend says on her phone if others in her household are using their computers. Very irritating and we end up concluding the call and wait until we get together in person.

[Lars39]

7. We use Net Talk Duo...really happy with it.

Might eventually go to Ooma, but sound quality, service, features, and upfront cost is great with Net Talk Duo, so I don 't know if we ever will.

[progressoid]

11. I just heard Ooma advertised on NPR.

It seems to get a little better reviews than Net Talk. Will have to do some more research tonight.

[Lars39]

12. It does have better reviews, although you pay more upfront for the device.

We haven't had any issues to motivate us to Ooma yet, though.
Heck, even bought the in laws one.

[ReverendDeuce]

8. I've been reselling voip.ms to a few clients for years...

Really, really nice service and excellent rates for an all-in-one provider (voicemail, custom IVR, CNAM and E911 service, etc)! Their portal is FANTASTIC!

Works great for residential service. I think their flat rate is $4.95 with like unlimited outbound and 60 hours of inbound.

[progressoid]

9. Is it a difficult set up?

Their website seems to assume I know a lot about VoIP. Since I'm a novice at this am I going to pull out what is left of my hair trying to set it up?

[ReverendDeuce]

14. Oh... it's definitely for someone who knows their way around a computer.

I don't mean that as an insult. You're right, you should know a bit about what you're doing before heading into voip.ms. It's a great service, but it's not a plug-and-play solution like MagicJack and the others.

[progressoid]

15. Oh, I'm not insulted.

I'm smart enough to know how dumb I am.
I've changed the oil a couple times on our computers, but I'm just a tinkerer. Also, I'm not sure everyone else in the house will want to deal with it if something goes wrong .

[NewJeffCT]

13. We use italkbb

we originally got it primarily so my wife could call China without any charges. The website is in Chinese, but they have an English language option. It's generally been pretty good, but I had trouble when we had outages a couple of times & my wife wasn't available to talk to customer service.

[JCMach1]

17. Vonage is essentially plug and play, then use your regular phone... I Think they even offer as low

as $9 these days...

They are the best for International Calls if you have relatives, or need to call overseas frequently.

[AwakeAtLast]

18. We used to have Packet8

We liked it, but our internet provider at the time was horrible. We are now on a bundle from Comcast (I know). Unfortunately that is the best option we have here. If we found a better internet provider we would probably go back to Packet8.