[Pops]

We pay around $100/month for 1 phone line with unlimited long distance and 1 bare bones.

We are trying out the MagicJack VoIP on our relatively slow wireless connection and it seems marginally OK, clear with some dropouts - mostly on our end it seems.

The plan would be to go with one bare bones land line for incoming calls (the no. everyone knows) and local and back up, and use the VoiP for all outgoing long distance.

Net savings around $80/month.

My question for anyone on this system is reliability and billing (fine print issues).

Any input?

[AAA]

No, I have only seen the commercials on tv. Sorry.

However most all of my friends use Skype for long distance and international calls and it is free. But you and the person you are calling need to have a computer and internet connection.

Also we don't have long distance calling on our landline because it is cheaper to get a cell phone that has free long distance calling.

[midnight-gamer]

I have used Verizons voip service for years, but I have been looking for alternatives now that it is to be discontinued. Besides MagiJack, I am considering Ooma, which differs from MagiJack in that there is a one time charge to purchase the device, then service is free thereafter.
I would suggest a decent DSL connection as a minimum for functionality and keep in mind that there are several different DSL mediums with variable data transmission abilities. My DSL, Voice over IP phone had a problem with incoming calls not ringing and I hope this won't be a issue with all VOIP companies.
I'll keep you updated when I switch next month.

http://www.ooma.com/

[Pops]

We only get about 700k down and 350k up. We use Skye to talk to the kids though.

Due to our location relative to the nearest site, cell is out of the question unless you are standing on the roof and an amplified repeater from a roof antenna is out.

[midnight-gamer]

"We only get about 700k down and 350k up"

It sounds like you have ADSL with the "A" standing for asymmetric. It has the faster download and slower upload like you said and is the most common DSL type, I think. Speeds vary between 384 Kbps to more than 6 Mbps downstream.

[Ferretlover]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', 'D')ue to our location relative to the nearest site, cell is out of the question unless you are standing on the roof and an amplified repeater from a roof antenna is out.

[Pops]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('midnight-gamer', 'I')t sounds like you have ADSL with the "A" standing for asymmetric. It has the faster download and slower upload like you said and is the most common DSL type, I think. Speeds vary between 384 Kbps to more than 6 Mbps downstream.

[Pops]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', 'G')ot a picture of this, Pops?

[midnight-gamer]

"My questions are mostly with the network and business practice of MagicJack"

Setting up the configurations could be a pain in the ass if you don't know what your doing. I can't say much about the company other than it has good reviews so far.

[Pops]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('midnight-gamer', 'S')etting up the configurations could be a pain in the ass if you don't know what your doing. I can't say much about the company other than it has good reviews so far.

[Livewire713]

Ive had Magicjack for about 2 months now. I have cable internet through comcast. Magicjack works great, just plug it in and it installs itself, software is stored in the memory of the unit. It did a software update once installed. After that just filled in my info and that was it. After 60 days I was billed $49 and thats good for the first year. The only downside is you have to have your computer on but this wasnt a big issue for us. We were using vonage, which is a good service but still cost us over $30 a month.

[Pops]

Thanks Livewire, that's the kind of thing I was looking for...

[lateStarter]

I'll let you know. Supposedly, (according to my mother), my sister is so convinced about this product that she is sending it to all of us. I only have a wireless connection at the moment (and EDGE at that!) so I'm skeptical.My current connection won't even support Skype adequately. When I get it, I'll fire up Wireshark to figure out what Codec they are using. If it works, I won't complain...

[davep]

Pops, if you need to keep your computer on, it may be worth investing in an eee pc or similar with solid state drives. Apparently the maximum energy usage is 11W, which is significantly lower than a desktop, and lower than normal laptops. They're also relativel inexpensive. You may need to go for the xp model (which is slightly more expensive). Check their Linux support.

[Pops]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('davep', 'P')ops, if you need to keep your computer on, it may be worth investing in an eee pc or similar with solid state drives.

[frankthetank]

I use Skype. I just have unlimited calling OUT. Its around $2.50 a month. I think the quality is very good even with a slow internet connection. We also use prepaid cellphones.

[Leanan]

I have an Ooma. No landline, no cell phone. (I hate phones.)

It was $200 for the device. (Got it at Buy.com, and used a coupon code. It was cheaper than at Amazon, even without free shipping.) No charge after that, unless you want to buy some of their premium services (a second line, etc.)

I considered a Magic Jack, which is much cheaper but has subscription fees. But with a Magic Jack, you have to have your computer on all the time. That's not necessary with an Ooma. The sound quality on Ooma is better, too (though still not as good as a regular line).

The drawbacks...for both, if the company goes out of business, you're screwed. Given the current economic environment, that's not a trivial consideration.

And unlike a regular phone line, if the power goes out, your phone service goes out, too. With the Ooma, you could hook up the Ooma device and your modem to a UPS. You'd have to hook up the computer, too, with Magic Jack.

I have ADSL, and the Ooma works well enough. I do occasionally get some static, but I don't use the phone often so it doesn't bother me. Ooma seems to be pretty good at making voice work even over limited bandwidth.

My phone/Internet bill went from $67 to $25 a month since I switched to Ooma.

[kpeavey]

that stuff gives me a wicked hangover.

[Pops]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('kpeavey', 't')hat stuff gives me a wicked hangover.

[JoeW]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Leanan', 'I') have an Ooma. No landline, no cell phone. (I hate phones.)

It was $200 for the device. (Got it at Buy.com, and used a coupon code. It was cheaper than at Amazon, even without free shipping.) No charge after that, unless you want to buy some of their premium services (a second line, etc.)