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12-18-2013, 08:42 PM | Topic Starter |
Wasted away again...
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Landline Alternatives
I really want to get rid of our landline altogether, but cell service in my house isn't always reliable. I need to have something in place for emergencies. However, I'm currently paying over $40 per month for my phone service with UVerse.
So I'm looking into alternatives such as Magic Jack, Vonage or Ooma. Anyone have any experience with any of these? I'd like to keep my existing number, so Magic Jack is likely out. I don't know a soul who has used any of these, so I'm really clueless and want to make sure I'm not dropping any coin on something I'll regret. Thanks in advance... EDIT: I see now that it is possible to move your existing number to Magic Jack. I'm most interested in this one now if that's the case. Last edited by Dartgod; 12-18-2013 at 08:53 PM.. |
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12-18-2013, 11:02 PM | #2 |
MVP
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Depending on your cell provider you might look into a microcell/network extender to resolve your spotty cell phone reception in your house and ditch the landline.
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12-20-2013, 07:40 PM | #3 |
'Tis my eye!
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12-19-2013, 09:03 AM | #4 |
Captain Kick Ass
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Ooma - end thread!
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12-20-2013, 07:32 PM | #5 |
Fight, build, win!
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OBI costs nothing except for equipment. I had Ooma for 3 years till the box died it was ok but you paid taxs. OBI is same you use your own phone equipment and internet connection. You cam port you number.
http://www.obihai.com/ http://www.amazon.com/OBi110-Service.../dp/B0045RMEPI |
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12-20-2013, 07:36 PM | #6 |
"Think BOOM!"
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I have NetTalk Duo and love it. I think they transfer numbers. However, make sure your upstream bandwidth is 1 Mbps or better otherwise the wife will go bat shit crazy.
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12-20-2013, 07:40 PM | #7 |
'Tis my eye!
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12-20-2013, 07:49 PM | #8 |
"Think BOOM!"
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OMG, THIS NEW PHONE THING SUCKS MONKEY ASSHOLES!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GOT RID OF QWEST FOR THIS POS!!! I THOUGHT YOU WERE TECHNICAL AND STUFF!?
* Donger ditches QWEST DSL with 768 up to Comcast * HEY, IT'S SOOOO MUCH BETTER NOW! I GUESS THEY FIXED SOMETHING OR SOMETHING?
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I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you? |
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12-21-2013, 12:23 PM | #9 | |
Wasted away again...
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Quote:
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12-21-2013, 12:53 PM | #10 |
Kind of a mod
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As long as you don't have a ton of other stuff eating up your bandwidth while you're making calls (torrents, etc.), you'll be in good shape.
As for the original question, my parents have had Vonage for about 5 years. There's a very slight delay (which will be the case with most VOIP providers), but aside from that, it's been great. They even reversed it into their existing phone wiring, so all the phones in the house connect to it. Only caveat with any of these is that they won't work if the power's out. Not a huge deal, but be aware of it. |
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12-21-2013, 02:53 PM | #11 |
Supporter
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12-20-2013, 07:52 PM | #12 |
'Tis my eye!
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I've run VoIP on a 768K connection but you have to know how to setup your router otherwise it's going to shit the bed.
For most people, it's infinitely easier to just say "get plenty of upstream bandwidth". |
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12-20-2013, 07:58 PM | #13 |
"Think BOOM!"
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I had the VOIP MAC set to take what it needed through QoS, but it wasn't enough apparently.
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I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you? |
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12-20-2013, 08:06 PM | #14 |
'Tis my eye!
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Well, on a small pipe, you can run into fragmentation issues at layer 2. Technically to run VoIP well over a smaller connection, you have to split the frames up and interleave them into the other data so that stuff goes out in a predictable manner.
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12-21-2013, 12:55 PM | #15 |
"Think BOOM!"
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Don't get all OSI'y on me, geek.
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I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you? |
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