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| reply to Matt
Re: Don't understand What really sets this apart from many (but probably not all) of the other VoIP services is that it's really tied in with a CLEC - YMAX Communications. This is the primary mechanism that can keep the costs to the consumer low, and still make the company a profit - the call termination fees paid by other providers for calls terminating at YMAX/magicJack.
As for 'tethering the service to a PC' - that's another part of the cost savings. The device itself is a TigerNet part, and has been around for a while. The cost is probably under $5 (purely a guess on my part) - whereas an external network device like other VoIP services use would cost significantly more.
I think the fact is that this service is NOT for everybody. I couldn't recommend it as a primary telephone service - simply for all of the downsides of being tied to a computer that has to be running 24/7. And with a primary platform of Windows - historically unreliable in consumer platforms - you're really asking for trouble.
As soon as a more local number becomes available that I can transfer to (my current MJ number is in Maryland, and I'm in New York), I'll be turning off a 2nd POTS line that I use for a home office and FAX - saving about $40/month. Basically, the ROI is covered in one month....
If you have a cell phone and use that as a primary service, the MJ is a good investment as a backup. If you've got a teenage daughter who talks incessantly, this is a no brainer. She gets her own number, won't eat up cell minutes, and can talk free as long as she wants - a win/win/win.
Also note that some folks are tying this in with other SIP/PAP devices so that it's not dependent on a computer - albeit with mixed success - see the threads in the VOIP Tech Chat forum...
Overall, I like the service, when I've needed to make calls it has been up and available, and the call quality is great (although I do recommend the TigerNet Echo Cancelling utility). If they continue to make improvements as promised, it will be a great service - and at $40, I could care less if they went under in 6 months....although I don't think they will because of the business model with YMAX. |
