Review by jharsen Location: Tuckahoe, Westchester, NY, USA Cost: $34 per month Install: about 25 days no hidden taxes or surcharges, incredible customer service, decent security MUST be OptOnline user, occasional line echo, requires $50 battery backup to keep phone in blackout superb value, VOIP service when bundled w/optonline cheaper than one rate plans

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

To be elligible for Optimum Voice you must be an Optimum Online Broadband ISP customer. For the first 6 months that service is $29.95 and thereafter $44.95 for cable subscribers. The rate for Optimum Voice is $34.95 -- no hidden taxes, surcharges or anything else for unlimited local, U.S. and Canadian calls. Prior to our switch we were purchasing an "all access" plan from another phone company, and bundled DSL with it. Our rate was $49.95 a month, plus a whopping $37 in hidden fees. We added DSL for $34.95 a month and they dropped the all access price to $39.95. Our phone bill was still a "flat" rate of over $70.00.

Once I investigated O.V and found that the rate had no hidden fees AND 911 service, we calculated that we could get our broadband free, even after the rate went up to $45 a month, since the $35 for O.V. still kept the bill around $80.

Being mildly handicapped, 911 service is a neccessity in my home. Optimum Voice has such capability, unlike other VIOP providers locally in Westchester. For a few dollars we purchased a small battery backup that we have plugged the cordless phone into - it provides us with about 10 hours of phone use if an electric outage should occur (The representatives can also install one for $65 I believe). I also have a cell phone for emergencies, so this issue was less important than the immediate 911 recognition of location should there be a life threatening emergency.

If you can connect your cable to your television without assistance, you can connect the VIOP modem, but they still come out to ensure everything is perfect. We have connectivity at every phone jack to the modem, and making phone calls seem to have no effect on download/upload speed tests we've performed at the same time.

The install was quick, efficient and the technician even referred us to YOUR site, which he bookmarked for us. I could not have asked for a smoother transition from a "bell" or "wannabell" than I received from Optimum Voice. The phone number we had was not portable, but that was such a small price to pay in retrospect. In stark contrast, when I called to cancell the "wannabell" phone and DSL services, the agent tried to frighten me with visions of fire and attack that 911 operators could not identify by phone number. I assured her that in fact O.V. has such capability and tried to remain pleasant.

Then she threatened to charge us several hundred dollars if their modem was not returned in perfect condition in the original packaging, with all the accompanying paperwork, etc. I gladly complied and Fed EX picked up the box within a week. I was grateful that the company had convinced me that in fact I made the ONLY intelligent choice by switching to VOIP. Occasionally there will be an echo momentarily but I am more than happy to deal with an occasional line echo rather than static, electrical interference and snippy customer service.

I HAVE recommended this service to my mother and father as well as good friends and family. I am astounded at the quality and value for the dollar.

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Review by RRNYC Location: Bellmore, Nassau, NY, USA Cost: $34 per month Install: about 3 days Call Quality is as good or better the my other Phone. $34.95 If power goes out so does my phone. Quality was GREAT and thats with two people online at the same time.

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

They came to install OV three days after I ordered it. The install took about 10min and it sounds great. I even started gaming online with XBOX live at the same time I was on the phone and it sounded great. The only down side I see now is that if the power goes out so does the phone and I have an alarm system and it won't be able to call out if the power goes out. I may get the "cell option" so I don't need the phone line or maybe a ups just for the cable modem. But other then that its great!!!!

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Review by NeilDSL Location: East Meadow, Nassau, NY, USA Cost: $34 per month Install: about 10 days good for the money and clarity once a while have bad connections (static) its ok for the money...could add more functionality

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

have optimum voice for the 5 months and works fine, good for $34.95 and the clarity if good, however on many occassions as soon as i pick up the receiver there is lots of static...have advised tech support, cant seem to figure what is going on...they said that as I use the broadband connection and the phone at the same time..it sometimes happens...could add additional functionality.
Call Hunt
Personalized Voicemail
Call Transfer
Caller ID Block (*67)
Repeat Dialing
Network Availability Number
overall it is good for the money

sunny8294 Shqipe join:2001-03-15 Localhost ;) sunny8294 Member 2004-Jan-29 11:55 pm thats cool but... OV is good but I think Packet8 or 8x8 is even better because they have unlimited calling+great international calling rates for $20.55/month with all the features. Please don't think that I work for Packet8 or anything like that:). Just an opinion. They have a month of free trial so wouldn't hurt to check them out. 2004-Jan-29 11:55 pm: · hey mods ·
	lestat99 join:2000-08-04 Piscataway, NJ lestat99 Member 2004-Feb-3 7:27 pm Re: thats cool but... The fact that Optimum Voice does allow for International calling is a deal killer for many. 2004-Feb-3 7:27 pm: · hey mods ·
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Review by comp Location: Moriches, Suffolk, NY, USA Cost: $35 per month Cheap and Excellent Call Quality none You can not beat it for the money

Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money:

I have has Optimum Voice for over 14 months now and love it. It is very cheap and I have had no problems with it at all. I can call anyone and not worry about where i am dialing and how much it is gonna cost me. I really enjoy the fact that the bill never changes from month to month.

I use it as my primary line and will never go back.

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