Magic Jack

[MikePA]

You might want to give this option a try. It only cost you the price of the device. I have been using it for years now. Google ended support for this device but they are now "officially supported" by google. Anyway: after your initial setup you have no recurring cost. I posted a detailed thread about it here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/related-topics/285488-great-voip-telephone-service-update.html
I detailed what you need to do to port your existing phone #, although it is a bit easier if you use a random google number.
Good luck, Dave

I use an Obihai (202 model) with Google Voice, too. I also have a 'real' IP phone that connects directly to the Internet. The other boxes, called ATAs, allow the connecting of a traditional phone to the Internet. Each have their advantage and both are cheaper than a landline.

 

[k0ua]

I used an Avaya IP phone that directly connected to an existing ethernet port on my network and registered itself to a PBX in Tulsa OK. (I am in Branson MO.). The only trouble I ever had with it in 9 months of operation was when I lost internet connection from the Cable provider. I operated the phone from 8 to 10 hours per day near constant use. If you have a good internet connection, IP phones can be very reliable.

 

[Soundguy]

BTW, another option I use for my elderly mother is straight talk. I set her up with their cell based unit for $75 dollars for the unit and $17 a month. She does not have a reliable internet connection and this has performed great with free long distance and e911.
Dave

i switched our work to straight talk hotspots ( verizon ) vs sprint broadband. we are saving 60-75% of the cost, and get better service, faster, more devices connected ( no dsl/cable in our area ).

 

[caver]

I've been using MJ for years on broadband cable. You have to keep computer on for it to work although they have a newer one that goes directly to your cable modem.

 

[ultrarunner]

I’ve kept the folks ATT landline going for the occasional call from a relative or friend… they had the number since 1960’s.

At $90 per month with virtually no calls placed my thought is to transfer the number to Magic Jack and keep the number alive.

Any thoughts pro or con…

Some places I go have no phone service but do have internet so I’m guessing all I need to do is take the Jack with me?

 

[LittleBill21]

I’ve kept the folks ATT landline going for the occasional call from a relative or friend… they had the number since 1960’s.

At $90 per month with virtually no calls placed my thought is to transfer the number to Magic Jack and keep the number alive.

Any thoughts pro or con…

Some places I go have no phone service but do have internet so I’m guessing all I need to do is take the Jack with me?

congrats on resurfacing a 11 year old thread.

why you pay 90 a month is ridiculous.

old people make a big deal out of changing numbers, my mother went through 3 different numbers due to switching voip providers.

she hemmed and hawed about how it would takes weeks years months to have everyone know the new number.

since 99% of people use cell phones now, and just store the number, its irrelevant

after hearing about it for 3 months, we switched. she called everyone, it took 30 minutes for everyone to switch the number....

 

[Chewwy]

Lots of scam calls on VOIP. The calling number is easy to spoof. My cell phone provider blocks most of them based an scam reports. I generally don’t answer calls from numbers I don’t know. The few that get thru to my voice mail never leave a message.

 

[LittleBill21]

Lots of scam calls on VOIP. The calling number is easy to spoof. My cell phone provider blocks most of them based an scam reports. I generally don’t answer calls from numbers I don’t know. The few that get thru to my voice mail never leave a message.

prolly 90% of all calls are voip based now scam blockers are based per number, not technology. I have used voip for over 20 years at this point

 

[Chewwy]

I’ve kept the folks ATT landline going for the occasional call from a relative or friend… they had the number since 1960’s.

At $90 per month with virtually no calls placed my thought is to transfer the number to Magic Jack and keep the number alive.

Any thoughts pro or con…

Some places I go have no phone service but do have internet so I’m guessing all I need to do is take the Jack with me?

An alternative to the AT&T landline could be cell service. You can keep the same phone number and it is much less than $90/month. (Ours is $25/month.) They can also connect plug it into the homes phone line network so wired extension phones plugged in to that network will work.

 

[Chewwy]

prolly 90% of all calls are voip based now scam blockers are based per number, not technology. I have used voip for over 20 years at this point

Your are correct. It is based on reports regarding that number. Not perfect but better than nothing. After getting blocked, they either give up or spoof a different number.

If I could block all VOIP numbers, I would.

 

[LittleBill21]

Your are correct. It is based on reports regarding that number. Not perfect but better than nothing. After getting blocked, they either give up or spoof a different number.

If I could block all VOIP numbers, I would.

if you did that you might as well just drop your service.

 

[Oaktree]

if you did that you might as well just drop your service.

Yeah. Most "landline" phones via your ISP are VOIP, as are 100% of cell calls. Not many copper pair-to-CO lines left except in a few really rural areas.

 

[ultrarunner]

Your are correct. It is based on reports regarding that number. Not perfect but better than nothing. After getting blocked, they either give up or spoof a different number.

If I could block all VOIP numbers, I would.

Except for legacy fax’s and UL Fire the entire hospital is VOIP

10k monthly phone cost now $1800 including dedicated ATT fiber

 

[ultrarunner]

Yeah. Most "landline" phones via your ISP are VOIP, as are 100% of cell calls. Not many copper pair-to-CO lines left except in a few really rural areas.

Hospital is 2 blocks to Central Office… DSL was fantastic and a $20 month add on… never once ever went down but alas no more.

I live in another city and same central office..

 

[Cycledude]

One of my friends used Magic Jack for quite awhile, sometimes it worked great but a lot of times it didn’t, eventually he quit using it. He passed away in January otherwise I would have liked to discuss it with him again.

 

[ultrarunner]

I think it’s the least expensive way to keep the phone alive… cell reception is the pits both at the folks place, my home and Washington place… for some reason it’s a common theme for me.

With both parents deceased call me sentimental… lots of calls the first 6 months or so… not so many now… last week heard from a distant cousin of dads saying he just heard of moms passing…

When you have the same phone number 60+ years not sure who all might call… it also gets calls on a property that I would like to sell but not yet listed… just folks doing owner search.

 

[ponytug]

There is also Ooma.

All the best, Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

There is also Ooma.

All the best, Peter

Thanks for the tip.

I will need to see if I can port over my existing number.

Magic Jack reviews show some issues but I think it also has the lowest annual cost to keep a phone number active…

Open to all suggestions.

 

[Topzide]

I've had Ooma since 2014. As long as you have good internet speeds(not satellite). I have 2 numbers, the one I ported over and another. Brought the unit, monthly taxes $8 - 10 and $130 a year for both lines. That yearly fee gives me more features. Calls can be answered on my cellphone, block list and different levels of spam blocking. I high recommended Ooma. Can also add security features on the premium calling package.

 

[Oaktree]

There is also Ooma.

Vonage is still around too. They offer both residential and business service.