  baineschile2600 ways to livePremium
join:2008-05-10
Sterling Heights, MI | Why Why anyone still has VOIP when home phone bundles are available with cable/fiber; and the abundance of cellular options still confundles me. | |
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 | | | Re: Why said by baineschile:Why anyone still has VOIP when home phone bundles are available with cable/fiber; and the abundance of cellular options still confundles me. You mean why does anyone have Vonage... I have CallCentric VOIP and it costs me $3.45 per month plus 2c/min for calls.
I have other providers such as Future Nine and CallWithUs for making international calls too. | |
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| | | | Re: Why Yeah, I used to have CallCentric and I had constant problems. Had to cancel it. | |
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|  unknvoipRIP goosePremium
join:2006-07-25
Rochester, NY
kudos:1
 ·ViaTalk
| said by baineschile:Why anyone still has VOIP when home phone bundles are available with cable/fiber; and the abundance of cellular options still confundles me. Yes, why pay under $20/mo for something when you can pay about $40 for less? | |
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| | | | Re: Why said by unknvoip:said by baineschile:Why anyone still has VOIP when home phone bundles are available with cable/fiber; and the abundance of cellular options still confundles me. Yes, why pay under $20/mo for something when you can pay about $40 for less? My cable provider I've heard charges $60 to install phone service. Compare that to Vonage which is $25 to start up. Is that cheap?
I can get a VOIP account setup with callcentric or future nine for free. No startup costs.
I can use skype for unlimited outgoing calls for $3/month, no startup costs.
Cable phone service just seems expensive to me. | |
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| | |  en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Re: Why I use Skype - the $3 month works well for outgoing, and saves most of my minutes.
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Canada = Hollywood North | |
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| | | | said by unknvoip:said by baineschile:Why anyone still has VOIP when home phone bundles are available with cable/fiber; and the abundance of cellular options still confundles me. Yes, why pay under $20/mo for something when you can pay about $40 for less? Wait, you pay $20/month? I pay ~$30/3 months for skype (unlimited US calling + real number)  .
And I have the converter box so that I can use a regular phone (including cordless).
Sure you have to keep your computer on, but do you really need to be called at 3AM? Most VoIP don't guarantee e911 services either. But, in today's society most people have a cell phone (I know someone will come along and say "I don't have one"). | |
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| | |  sivranBack to Opera againPremium
join:2003-09-15
Arlington, TX
kudos:1 | Re: Why I imagine some are like me--not willing to trust their phone service to their ISP.
My landline's had 100% uptime. My ISP can't say that. | |
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| | | | | | Re: Why said by sivran:I imagine some are like me--not willing to trust their phone service to their ISP. My landline's had 100% uptime. My ISP can't say that. I had Verizon phone service (landline) in 2002. About a month after it was installed, it went out for a day and a half.
100% uptime my ass. | |
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| | | | | | said by sivran:I imagine some are like me--not willing to trust their phone service to their ISP. My landline's had 100% uptime. My ISP can't say that. That is because most ISPs doesn't give you an SLA (residential anyways). If you think either your landline or ISP will be up 100% (or any other service); you are just a fool. There was always be maintenance ect.
Both (AT&T DSL and Comcast Business HSI) of my internet connections have both been up I would say at least 90% (both have had outages but not for any extended amount of time).
You may not talk on the phone that often, but for some ~$10/month for unlimited US calling is a steal. | |
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| | | | | sivranBack to Opera againPremium
join:2003-09-15
Arlington, TX
kudos:1 Reviews:
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| Re: Why Where did I ever say I expected my ISP to have 100% uptime?
I said that's the level of service I get from my telco. To be completely fair though I guess I should say it's been 100% as far as I know. If it's been down, I never knew about it.
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I used to think I was a democrat. Then I thought I was a republican. Lately though, I'm just cynical, and distrust all politicians equally. Just call me one of those disillusioned voters. | |
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|  N3OGHYo Soy Col. "Bat" GuanoPremium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
kudos:1 | "Regulatory, Compliance and Intellectual Property Fee"
What a crock. If I'm paying for a service, aren't I all ready paying for their "intellectual property".
Once again, Vonage. BOO HOO BOOHOOHOO.
HOO HOO, Tell 'em Fred!
LINGER LONGER!
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Petty people are disproportionally corrupted by petty power | |
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| | FisamoPremium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC | Re: Why Yeah, that one really made me laugh. I should pay an un-fee for them to defend their patents (or to defend themselves against allegations of infringement of others' patents)? That one belongs in the same class as the 'landscape maintenance for HQ' un-fee.  | |
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| | | N3OGHYo Soy Col. "Bat" GuanoPremium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
kudos:1 | Re: Why No shit.
Or, instead of blowing sunshine up my skirt, call it a "CEO likes good Scotch" fee.
Hey, I like good scotch as much as the next guy, so at least I could commiserate....
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Petty people are disproportionally corrupted by petty power | |
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| |  hambone42Peace, through superior firepowerPremium
join:2002-02-02
Manassas, VA | If I'm going to be paying an "Intellectual Property Fee", the least they can do is unlock my PAP2 for me on my way out the door once I've covered their subsidy.
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Sarcasm is the Body's Natural Defense Against Stupidity | |
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1 edit | There should be a law against this, as it allows companies like Vonage to deceptively advertise a low price when it is not. What's not to stop Vonage from advertising that their price is only 99 cents per month, and then when the bill arrives a customer sees all these added nonsense fees (regulatory recovery fee, cost of doing business fee, energy cost recovery fee, fixing the plumbing in the building fee, etc.)??? This has got to stop. | |
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| | | | Re: There should be a law against this. said by burgerwars:There should be a law against this, as it allows companies like Vonage to deceptively advertise a low price when it is not. What's not to stop Vonage from advertising that their price is only 99 cents per month, and then when the bill arrives a customer sees all these added nonsense fees (regulatory recovery fee, cost of doing business fee, energy cost recovery fee, fixing the plumbing in the building fee, etc.)??? This has got to stop. Put a few of the crooks thinking these unfees in jail, along with their lobbyists and every asshole that defends such practices here and it will stop. | |
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| | | | ahhh. just like the 99 cent item on ebay that carries a $39.99 shipping fee.
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I walk upon this Earth by the power of my own two legs. | |
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1 edit | Re: There should be a law against this. said by jeff17:ahhh. just like the 99 cent item on ebay that carries a $39.99 shipping fee. You notice ...
Vonage survives as long as there are non-technical users looking to lower their phone bills. | |
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| | | |  dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | Re: There should be a law against this. said by vp71inet:said by jeff17:ahhh. just like the 99 cent item on ebay that carries a $39.99 shipping fee. You notice ... Vonage survives as long as there are non-technical users looking to lower their phone bills. vonage hasn't shown a profit since they started up.
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee | |
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| | | Because cable bundles still want >$30 a month outside of the promotional pricing, which is ridiculous.
While cellular has its advantages, it still is pretty pricey to hang out on long calls with any sort of frequency. A price plan that permits you and those in your family to do so raises the bill at least $20, if not $40 or $60, which puts you right back to the >$30 a month payment. | |
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1 edit | said by baineschile:Why anyone still has VOIP when home phone bundles are available with cable/fiber; and the abundance of cellular options still confundles me. You are confused about a lot of things. Let me help you: it is cheaper and offers better service than cable's Voip. I have had Vonage for quite a while, still this non-fees raise irritates me. | |
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| | | | Re: Why You may call their legal department 732 231 6705 and leave a message. I will write a letter to Congress regarding this unfees shit that has to stop. Maybe a class action lawsuit will start, Vonage could be a unlucky one to start with. | |
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|  NOCManMacChatterPremium
join:2004-09-30
Colorado Springs, CO | said by baineschile:Why anyone still has VOIP when home phone bundles are available with cable/fiber; and the abundance of cellular options still confundles me. Verizon 60 month no long distance
Comcast was 50 same issue
Both had no call waiting caller id etc either. All that was extra.
Vonage 30, unlimited LD, all features.. I move it moves with me, unplug it, it autoforwards to my cellular and I can also have my voicemails mailed to me etc. | |
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|  cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:5
 ·Frontier FiOS
| said by baineschile:Why anyone still has VOIP when home phone bundles are available with cable/fiber; and the abundance of cellular options still confundles me. Because my home phone bundled price adds about $40/month to my Verizon bill after you account for all the taxes. | |
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1 edit | because ooma charges me 11.75 a year and comcast was 32 dollars per month for a dam phone i hardly use.
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calling a illegal alien undocumented is like calling a drug dealer a undocumented pharmacist | |
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| | | cos its cheap  | |
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| | | Well let's see, Sprint gives me only mobile to mobile free, my cable company wants $40 for my bundle, ATT wants $25 for a basic line. Hmm, why would I pay $14 when I could pay more?
Here's a better question: Why don't you think before you post!! | |
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cahiattPremium
join:2001-03-21
Smyrna, GA | Fantastic... Get away from the telco unfees to get stuck with more telco like unfees....
I just dumped Broadvice for the same reason after being with them since about 2005. Too many junk fees. I would have remained a customer if they just raised the price instead of trying to hide the price increase as a fee. | |
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| dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | Re: Fantastic... said by cahiatt:Get away from the telco unfees to get stuck with more telco like unfees. this is exactly why people went voip originally.
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee | |
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| |  Use free Google Voice in US
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NCAA® March Madness on Demand® | |
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See 9 replies to this post |
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Phatty
join:2000-05-10
Valley Park, MO | Customer since 2004 left a few months ago.... I left Vonage late last year because of their continual tweaking of prices.. I just don't use my phone that much so I dropped from the 500minute plan, to the 100 minute plan, only to have fees get adjusted a short time later so that I was paying about as much as I once had for the 500 minute plan.
Oh well, I switched to Voipo and haven't regretted it... | |
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|  alxjm1
join:2003-12-05
Maitland, FL
4 edits | Re: Customer since 2004 left a few months ago.... BTW, after the year on Voipo, whats the monthly charge turn into?
I have used Vonage since 2004 with 2 seperate lines and NEVER ever had any quality issues with them. I did have a bad cable line in the 1st year (Brighthouse Networks) and after months of crappy line dropping and many calls and techs, they finally changed the actuall cable line to the pole AND setup an AMP.
I just dropped Vonage cause I too got tired of watching my price slowly creep up every 6 months with some silly fee or something like that.
Also last year, I did tell them I was going to a competitor (Voipo) and they actually price matched it, so I got each line for $15 a month for a whole year (Had the Unlimited plan @ $24.99 Plus tax and fees, which brought it up to about $35 each line). Again of course, after the year was up, I didnt bother with Vonage since there are other competitors with more features for about the same price or less. ( I would love to block specific numbers, which Vonage DOES NOT OFFER)
I am currently using a MagicJack and Google Voice, but I hate having the thought of keeping my computer on, but will remain as such till I make a decision on what other VOIP service I use.
Any suggestions anyone? | |
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| | Phatty
join:2000-05-10
Valley Park, MO | Re: Customer since 2004 left a few months ago.... Voipo to date allows the customers to renew at the same price they signed up for... Of course this policy could change, but I don't see that happening any time soon. So at any point I can prepay for a year and extend my services for $135.00/year that includes the normal bogus fees.
I will say that Vonage has a more polished user interface, and more polished service. I haven't had any major issues or complaints with Voipo but do experience the occasional hiccup, or someone saying they went straight to voicemail, but on a second call it goes right through.. Again not very often, just occasionally, but any slight issues like this should be nothing compared to the crap you are dealing with for Magic Jack. | |
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 rloconeHonor Our Heros, Our Armed ForcesPremium
join:2002-04-10
Kokomo, IN |  I still use Vonage
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| Phatty
join:2000-05-10
Valley Park, MO | Re: I still use Vonage I'm fairly sure that just about any cable company includes the Phone adapter so your not stuck paying a rental fee or anything for their services to work.
As far as not wanting to deal with the hassles of transferring your number I can say my transfer from Vonage went smooth and required nothing on my part other than emailing a copy of my Vonage bill to the provider I was switching to as proof that it was my number. Oh and I think Vonage intentionally made the number transfer date after my next billing cycle had started so that they could get one more month of service out of me.
I understand your reasoning a bit, as I stuck it out with Vonage probably a lot longer than I should have as I too had the service since 2004. | |
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| | It just keeps getting better... "unlimited 411 calls, for all four of you who still use 411 instead of Google when at home looking for information"
Karl, you slay thee with your sarcasm.... | |
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Reviews:
·NetTalk
| Other Inexpensive Options Free Option:
1. Google Voice + Gizmo5 or IPKall, IPComms, Sipgate, VoxOx + Siporcery
Inexpensive Paid Options:
1. MagicTalkBox BYOD(bring your own device) for $59.95 year with a one time $6.95 set up fee
2. netTalk TK6000 for $99.95 for life time service
3. magicJack for $40.00 which includes the device and the 1st year of service. Service can be renewed for $20.00 a year there after. | |
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| | | Re: Other Inexpensive Options said by macman4hire:Free Option:1. Google Voice + Gizmo5 or IPKall, IPComms, Sipgate, VoxOx + Siporcery Inexpensive Paid Options:1. MagicTalkBox BYOD(bring your own device) for $59.95 year with a one time $6.95 set up fee 2. netTalk TK6000 for $99.95 for life time service 3. magicJack for $40.00 which includes the device and the 1st year of service. Service can be renewed for $20.00 a year there after. Don't forget Skype for $3/mo. Use your cellphone for incoming calls. | |
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| | Reviews:
·Optimum Online
·Verizon FiOS
| Re: Other Inexpensive Options said by fifty nine:said by macman4hire:Free Option:1. Google Voice + Gizmo5 or IPKall, IPComms, Sipgate, VoxOx + Siporcery Inexpensive Paid Options:1. MagicTalkBox BYOD(bring your own device) for $59.95 year with a one time $6.95 set up fee 2. netTalk TK6000 for $99.95 for life time service 3. magicJack for $40.00 which includes the device and the 1st year of service. Service can be renewed for $20.00 a year there after. Don't forget Skype for $3/mo. Use your cellphone for incoming calls. Don't forget Ooma-- one time $180(lowest I've seen them for recently) - $250. After first year about $12/yr in reglatory fees. I suppose the nettalk is comparable to ooma, just in a smaller box since it seems to have both USB and ETHERNET connection options? No doubt another company will come along and make one of these lifetime prepaid device options-- if google doesn't beat 'em to it! | |
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 MJimLayAKA FlexBaudPremium
join:2004-10-06
Pensacola, FL
kudos:2 | I liked Vonage but... I had Vonage for several years and enjoyed the service and never had any problems. However, I am glad I no longer have the service. I thought it was expensive before! I now just use my cell phone for everything. | |
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 Gandalf1315Freelance Philosopher
join:2001-05-23
Indianapolis, IN | This is the end for me. This price hike will now push my "unlimited" service to $35 a month. For my family Vonage is a back up to our cell phones, I simply cant justify $35 a month (or $27 a month after fees for the 500 plan) for a back up phone service.
I have been looking at Magic Jack for a while now, guess it is time to stop looking and start using.
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No man's life, liberty or fortune is safe while our legislature is in session.--- Benjamin Franklin | |
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|  NY TelPremium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
kudos:3
·AT&T CallVantage
| Re: This is the end for me. said by Gandalf1315:This price hike will now push my "unlimited" service to $35 a month. For my family Vonage is a back up to our cell phones, I simply cant justify $35 a month (or $27 a month after fees for the 500 plan) for a back up phone service. I have been looking at Magic Jack for a while now, guess it is time to stop looking and start using. Can't you get a triple play from your cable company like we do here in NY?
29.95 a month for all 3 services | |
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 Subaru1-3-2-4Premium
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT | Goog 411 Why would one use 411 is beyond me.. at work they still use 411 but I think it's free for them?
Nevertheless Google 411 is pretty quick and easy | |
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 DrZEUS
join:2004-01-13
Mississauga, ON | all 4 of you this made me LOL:
With the hike they're apparently including unlimited 411 calls, for all four of you who still use 411 instead of Google
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| | I'm sure a few of ya will get a good laugh outta this... | |
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andyrossPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-04
Schaumburg, IL | Those fees were only $0.99 a year ago I checked my previous bills, and they raised those two fees from $0.99 to $1.49 last July. That's a 100% increase in less than a year.
After the fees, taxes, and local stuff is added, my $24.99 is $36.01, and will $37.01 (probably a few more pennies, as there is probably a tax on the fees) next month. Luckily for me (so far), is that I work from home, and they pay for the Vonage and my HSI.
Description Amount
Premium Unlimited Plan (25/Feb-24/Mar) $24.99
Regulatory and Compliance Fee $1.49
Emergency 911 Service Fee $1.49
Federal Program Fee $2.66
State Communications Service Tax $2.14
Local Communications Service Tax $1.84
Local E911 Fee $1.25
State Telecom Infrastructure Maintenance Fee $0.15
Total Amount $36.01
And for those saying just use Google for 411: Not everybody leaves their computers on 24 hours a day, or are using a phone next to a computer. | |
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| | | Re: Those fees were only $0.99 a year ago said by andyross:And for those saying just use Google for 411: Not everybody leaves their computers on 24 hours a day, or are using a phone next to a computer. You don't understand. Google offers a dialup 411 service for free - including the connection to a domestic number. No computer access required. 1-800-GOOG411 | |
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 chong67
join:2001-11-18
Jonesboro, GA | I use Skype I use Skype for $3 a month.
I set it up on my laptop where I use the bluetooth and I talk wireless on my BT headphone.
I see who call me and I call them back on Skype. Easy as that. | |
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| | Give Ooma a try.. I switched from Vonage to Ooma 1 1/2 years ago and am very happy that I did. Call quality/service is fantastic you can't beat the price.
Many of those large VoIP companies have evolved and turned into the thing we all hated and the reason why we originally switched from local traditional carriers in the first place. TO SAVE MONEY. I think they forgot that somewhere along the line..
- Mark | |
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| | Magic Jack I'll be getting this soon as I want something cheap, can use a normal phone, and something that I will not need to buy extra hardware for. | |
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| andyrossPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-04
Schaumburg, IL | Re: Magic Jack said by OldschoolDSL:I'll be getting this soon as I want something cheap, can use a normal phone, and something that I will not need to buy extra hardware for. To use Magic Jack, you need a computer. It must be turned on, and NOT in sleep or standby. | |
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| | Phatty
join:2000-05-10
Valley Park, MO | Re: Magic Jack Not to mention it logs/monitors everything for advertisers, and according to a review I just read it also doesn't have an official uninstaller that removes everything if you decide to stop using it.
You get what you pay for, and Magic Jack is crap.... | |
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| | | dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | Re: Magic Jack said by Phatty:You get what you pay for, and Magic Jack is crap. Their underhanded tactics suck too.
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee | |
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| | | If anyone knows of an alternative, which will allow me to use a normal phone and not have to rush out to buy expensive hardware... I'm game! | |
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| | lms
join:2002-07-21
Los Angeles, CA | Re: Magic Jack Well, what is exspensive? An ATA with one port for the telephone and one for the router is $34.00 new when I looked online. | |
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| | voip From what I see with VOIP, there is no montly fee for outgoing call and the rate is usually 1cents a minute for metered call.
Then its 1$ a month per phone number + 1cents a minutes for metered call.
The big expanse for me was the equipment 50$ for the cisco IPA and 40$ for the motorola DECT6 dual handset (paid a premium for its great speaker phone quality).
Since I only call europe a few hours a month and in the us I mostly call 1-800 numbers (free over voip) for long, long work meetings.
My bill rarely goes over 3$ a month.
I was thinking on ordering a second line (The cisco box support 2 lines) for fax, but it seem like a waste of money.
Vonage make sense if you have a large family that is constantly on the phone, or have no idea how to setup voip equipment and dont want to learn.
Someone gave me an unlocked cell phone (Still very slick), but I cant find any 'by the minutes plan' thats not a complete ripoff  | |
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1 edit | I suggest Ooma You can get a telo for $180 - 200. Then your first year is free (make sure to opt out of premium if you don't want it or there will be a small charge per month -- under $12 or so). Then your second and each subsequent year is something ridiculously low like $12 per year. It's hard to beat.
Paying the cable company $50 a month for VoIP is for fools. Vonage only sounds slightly better. | |
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| | Not sorry I left last year Vonage is a dying company!! These increased fees have no doubt sealed their fate. I was tired of paying 30%+ on top of the monthly rate just in fees. I switched to CDV last April, and paid much less than I did with Vonage overall. We have since cancelled our landline altogether (other than using Magic Jack as a backup). | |
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Reviews:
·Charter
| I'm sticking with Vonage. Well, I'm still happy with Vonage.
This does raise my monthly cost from $25 to $26, but it is still cheaper than the other local phone companies here.
AT&T charges $40+ and includes NO features.
Charter charges $40 and does include decent features.
Vonage costs almost half and offers *more* features than both.
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»xenomorph.net/ | |
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