Magicjack

[Rebel]

I'm not one to try these new gimmicks but after a falling out with AT@T I had to try something for a home phone. After seeing the Magicjack add a few times on TV I decided to pick one up at Wal-Mart and got to tell ya,,this thing is great,,just plug small unit in USB port..let it load program,,plug your phone in Magicjack and that's it. You got a dial tone. Of course you have to have high speed internet service and at this time, you'll get a new phone number but later this year you will be able to keep your old number. Cost is around 30 bucks at Wal-Mart and this includes unit and first year service, $19.95 each year after. Includes long distance, to USA and Canada and local calls,,has voicemail, Called ID and has number directory and free directory assistance. Also 24/7 chat with Magicjack tech. If you have a family memeber overseas,,you can mail them one and talk free. They must have high speed also. In US and Canada it isn't nessasary for person calling or person you call to have one but it is if person is overseas.

http://www.magicjack.com/2/?mid=307001&a=56039&s=15800

[Rileysowner]

I use skype. Free download, free calls to others who have skype. I purchased an adaptor that plugs into the USB port and lets me plug a phone in. Did a little creative wiring and now all the phones in the house are attached to it. This magicjack seems similar and a pretty good price.

[Rebel]

Sounds simular to me also but others who call you or who you call don't have to have one.

[Rileysowner]

One can get a Skype in number so people can phone you as well, but right now we have a line in provided by the church. We use Skype for our personal long distance. If things changed I would probably look into the Magicjack especially if I don't hear negative reviews of it.

[Rebel]

with Skype do you have caller ID, call waiting & 911, directory assistance ?

[Rileysowner]

No idea. I only use it for outgoing long distance calls.

[zombie{[six]}]

Skype does NOT support 911 services

[potskie]

Skype does NOT support 911 services

None of the VOIP services really do due to the way VOIP works.

Magicjack, Skype, Are VOIP services. Just Like Primus and Vonage.

Difference is Magicjack and skype are if you already have broad band. Where as Vonage and primus are large enough now to be able to provide Internet service as well so you don't to have one company for phone and one for interent. I'm looking at switching to Primus for everything....... The cost for phone , Internet , Cell phone is the same as just my phone bill with ma bell.

One positive for skype over magicjack is you can use it from any PC if need be. You can also get WiFi phones to use or if you have a WiFi cell phone BAM you know have a portable phone for your "land line".

Now if you want to get "hardcore" try a PBX . I.E. a setup with Asterisk. - I'm so going to because well it'll be AWESOME!

[NotDadsW41]

WiFi cell phones will be disappearing soon according to what I have read. The carriers are after the phone makers to make WiFi not allow VoIP services. It hasn't happened yet. But it's on the way.

[zombie{[six]}]

Now if you want to get "hardcore" try a PBX . I.E. a setup with Asterisk. - I'm so going to because well it'll be AWESOME!

We have PBX set up at my office. We run it on its own independent server using asterisk and FreePBX (opensource) management. On all of our computers we run a program called BRIA, so far its worked out pretty well. We tied 8 fax lines in with it also. As an IT, once it was all get set up and the majority of the bugs worked out its been very easy to deploy on new machines and to maintain.

[Rebel]

Man,,I don't have a clue about all these different systems but like my Magicjack. You can also take it with you when you're traveling. Also,,today I got an email at work saying I had a message on my voicemail at home. Clicked on attachment and listened to the message. I'll have two bills,,one for internet monthly and one from Magicjack each year. Finally got rid of AT&T.


Here's a review:

http://www.usnews.com/articles/business ... cjack.html