Magic Jack? Vonage? Other net based voice services?

[flamin lib]

Mods, move if applicable!

Anybody here using these products? Thinking if going completely wireless--internet, TV and phone. If I kill the land line and get wireless internet I can plug into the net for voice as well as data.

Looking to the vast DU knowledge-base.

Gracias!

[WonderGrunion]

1. I just got Magic Jack last week.

Great sound quality but sometimes words get lost if both sides are talking at the same time.

[CatWoman]

2. I use Vonage

and I'm very happy with them.

Unlimited long distance and local - bill runs about $32 a month.

Only drawback is, if there's a power outage - no phone.

[Pab Sungenis]

12. I invested in a very good Uniterruptable Power Supply.

One that can keep my Vonage box and cable modem powered for about a half an hour in a blackout.

And for longer outages, Vonage can forward any calls to my cell phone.

[yodoobo]

15. I did the same, but it didn't help

It seems that neighborhood cable repeater from Time Warner is on the same circuit as my house.

So when my house loses power, cable is out too (even if the cable modem stays powered up)

[Schema Thing]

3. Magic Jack works great, and at an unbelievable price.

just curious, what wireless internet service is it mentioned in your op?

[flamin lib]

13. The ISP that started the thought process was AT&T but I've heard of

faster providers. Still investigating coverages, speeds and coats.

I'll take advice here too!

[MercutioATC]

4. Wireless internet as in satellite?

It's cheaper here to stick with the cable for TV and internet, but I've been without a landline for years now. Unless you're making a lot of international calls, a cell should take care of your needs.

[jannyk]

16. I think the OP is referring to 'Naked DSL' like I have. It's DSL

with no phone service. Officially called Bare Loop or Dry Loop DSL. Satellite sucks the big one - we have to have that at our cabin in Canada and it is marginally better than dial-up.

[MercutioATC]

17. That barely qualifies as broadband service.

I understand that it's cheaper than cable internet, but there's a big difference in speed.

As far as phone service, all I've ever needed is my cell. For those reluctant to live without a "home phone", adding a cellphone ($9.95/month with AT&T) and keeping it plugged in in the house for use in emergencies is still cheaper than having a landline.

[NJCher]

22. but...

Cell phones have lousy bandwidth allocations. Trying to communicate on them is very frustrating.

I tried to get along on a cell and was miserable with it. Then I got Magic Jack and that has solved my phone issues.

I lowered my cell plan to only 20 bucks a month so I am saving a lot. MagicJack comes out to something like 1.72 a month.

Cher

[virgogal]

5. My neighbors have had Vonage for a couple of years and love it.

[Lithos]

6. Packet 8

http://www.8x8.com

A little cheaper than Vonage.

L-

[BrklynLiberal]

10. Doesn't appear to be cheaper than Vonage. The $24.99 pkg only gives

Unlimited Calls to the US and Canada

Vonage gives you more for $24.99 than what 8x8 charges $39.99
Vonage also offers discount if you pay for a full year up front.

Here..check it out...

http://www.vonage.com/residential_calling_plans/vonage_world/?refer_id=WEBSR0706010001W1&lid=main_nav_calling_plans

Added benefits

Choose any area code from across the US
24/7 access to your billing information using your online account
Get quick access to local emergency services with Vonage's 911 Dialing feature
Telecommute? Travel a lot? The Vonage phone adapter is small and totally portable — you can use it anywhere there's a high-speed Internet connection

Requirements

You must have a high-speed Internet connection (cable or DSL)
You need a U.S. or Puerto Rico shipping address (sorry, no P.O. boxes)
Once you sign up, we will ship your startup package within five business days.
To start, simply connect your telephone, using the Vonage phone adapter, to your high-speed Internet connection.


Standard Features
Vonage Visual Voicemail »
Caller ID with Name »
Call Waiting »
Voicemail Plus »
Call Transfer »
Call Waiting with Caller ID »
Vonage Online Account »
Network Availability Number »
Enhanced Call Forwarding »
SimulRing »
3-Way Calling »
Caller ID Block »
Call Return »
Do Not Disturb »
Anonymous Call Block »
Repeat Dialing »
International & Directory Assistance Block »
Call Hunt »
Ring Lists »
Vonage Access »
Bandwidth Saver »
Click-2-Call »
211 Dialing »
311 Dialing »
Enhanced 411 »
511 Traveling Information »
711 Dialing »
811 Dialing »
1-700-WEATHER »
1-700-GREETINGS »
Refer-A-Friend »
Money Back Guarantee »
Move Your Number »
Number for Life ¤ »
In-Network Calls »
24/7 Support »


and no..I do not work for Vonage..or even own stock in the company.

[Lithos]

21. Packet 8 has those

And one important one - it supports FAX which I do use.

Also, generally don't spend my time calling overseas so the base package is still slightly cheaper for Packet 8 if I prepay. As for the dubious benefit of world calling, please note that both packages generally do not call cell phones. Cell phones are very ubiquitous in the world these days having provided the ability of people to generally leapfrog over the need to put in a copper infrastructure to support POTS. So it is more marketing spin than not. Most people I know who call India or China tend to use Skype or MagicJack

L-

[The Straight Story]

7. MJ Works well - just use a dedicated computer

Works better that way.

[BrklynLiberal]

8. I have been using Vonage for a few years...absolutely no probelm.

As was stated above...my base price is 24.99/mth + taxes etc...

I have unlimited calls virtually anywhere in the world...

Sound quality is perfect.

The only problem is that if I lose my cable internet/electricity, no phone. However. you can set up on option online
To forward all calls to your cell phone in the case of an outage.

I have no complaints.

The other advantage is that you can take the number with you anywhere you go once it is hooked up to Vonage.

I have friends who retired to Mexico, and took their NJ phone number with them.

And you get every single perk/benefit that you get with any other phone provider...voice mail, call forwarding, caller id on call waiting, etc..etc.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

9. Lingo here...

great service...a little cheaper than Vonage...can call unlimited to US/CAN/MEX/EUR...all the little goodies that are extra with the big telcos...good stuff!

sP

[jtrockville]

19. I've had Lingo for many years. No problems.

[shraby]

11. Charter internet phone here. No problems and they

offer a battery for the phone so if the power goes off the phone doesn't. The battery is a one time cost of 40 bucks. Unlimited calling. Not sure of the cost now cause we just had to renew our options on the lineup..but it was 19.95 per month.

[jannyk]

14. Magic Jack for the last 6 months - excellent! Before that Skype..

which was great a couple of years ago before eBay took over and ruined it.

[99 Percent Sure]

18. I have T-Mobile @ Home ...

$9.99 per month unlimited calls.

[Statistical]

20. Ooma = no montly fees for life.

Yup thats right. Now it is more expensive $250 for voip box but thats it no monthly fees ever.
I used vonage for a couple years but slowly it got more expensive with rate increases and more and more fees.
Started so long ago that when I started it was exactly $14.95 a month no fees, no taxes, no nothing.

So got tired on vonage and tried ooma. Figured if it is good for 8 months it is equal to same amount of monthly fees to vonage.

http://www.ooma.com/

Amazing and loving one more monthly bill gone forever.

They sell some premium services like visual voicemail (convert voicemail to text and email or sms it to you) but the "non premium" version is free for life.

magic jack also has no fees but requires a computer. This is a voip box just like vonage except without the monthly fee.