Best Voip Provider?

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cpalmer2k

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Just curious what VoIP providers everyone uses or recommends to residential customers. In our area cell phone coverage is limited, so VoIP is attractive.

I just got a call from someone this week wanting a line for their house. They just recently bought a new cable modem & router though (both are top of the line), so they really don't want to go with Vonage and their router/adapter combo.

Are there any other cheaper alternatives? I know Linksys makes a standalone adapter that would interface with their current router, but having never dealt with this issue before I'm unfamiliar with other service providers and am leery of picking one based on blind web reviews. I'd like to hear some first hand accounts since I know many of you use various services.
 
OK

I will tell you from experience that both the ooma and magic jack work very well. However the the OOMA is more expensive but it has almost 0 maintenance. The interface is actually a website and its has tons of options. Magic Jack is cheaper and very straightforward in price ($40 device + 1 year of service, 20 a year afterward) but you need to know about QOS have a PC and program the PC to maintain itself (reboots, patches, firewall etc) So if you ask me its OOMA all the way. Likewise the MJ is wimpy on advanced features. The only people who should be installing magic jacks are techs using it for themselves. ;)

A little more about ooma.

1. Great call quality.
2. The IP to voice converter is an answering machine also.
3. $200 bucks from amazon only 3.00 a month for FCC tax. No yearly cost.
4. Several feature packages (advanced call ID blocker etc) (bulk international minutes)
5. The box doubles as a router of sorts. So you go cable/dsl box. To ooma box, to your router or PC. This eliminates the need to be a QOS, NAT wizard because the box subnet is before the router/PC. I can reboot my router and not lose a call for this reason!!!! (the fact that you have two subnets may increase security of the home network)

My main selling point was you buy the box and no bills. Vonage wants to bill me monthly. I said forget that. Plus this household calls Mexico and the rates for that are cheap. 1000 minutes 70 countries for 10 bucks.

Cheapest place to get it is Amazon.com no tax free shipping 200.00 flat.

On a side note. My wise guy uncle said if the power goes out you don't have a phone.... Well, you can install a UPS to the Ooma box, cable modem, and wireless phone and in theory you should still be able to make calls. This is how many cable company's offer digital telephone because the modems themselves have a battery pack.

Be sure to use DECT 6.0 phones. To send a fax dial *99 to turn off data compression.

http://www.amazon.com/Ooma-Telo-Fre..._1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1281846647&sr=1-1-catcorr

I hope I filled you head with good ideas.

Goodluck.
 
I used Vonage for 3 or 4 years and the only reason I cut it off was because I found that me and my wife would use our cell phones all the time. The Vonage line would never get used or answered for that mater. All it was was a fancy voice mail and that didn't even get checked half of the time. However it came with a standalone box that connected to my existing router and the phone plug was hooked to a wall jack making all the wall jacks in my house work on Vonage, I of course disconnected to line in the box outside though. The price and quality where great. There was never any problems and the service was flawless. I can't say enough good things about it.
 
Down fall of VOIP is if your customer has a Alarm System they cant use VOIP.

I have recommend for business clients to get 8x8, for home users I stick with Vonage.
 
OOMA looks like an interesting concept, even at their Premier rates of $9/month its much cheaper than Vonage. I might give them a try myself, didn't know they existed.
 
I didn't know they existed until a few months ago. I was in a magic jack forum getting help and noticed several posters saying they gave up on vonage and magic jack and went with this thing. I'm very satisfied.

There is something about Vonage I don't like. Perhaps its the monthly bill and the packages seem weird and unbalanced between the rate. Its like they want you to get the $25 plan. It's a word of mouth product right now.

http://www.ooma.com/
 
$9/mo is great but the $11/mo savings would take you 2 years to recoup your initial costs.

We're with Vonage, paying $20/mo with more bells and whistles than we can use. Our plan gives us 500 min/mo and we've never used it all.
 
Corbin said:
Down fall of VOIP is if your customer has a Alarm System they cant use VOIP.

I have recommend for business clients to get 8x8, for home users I stick with Vonage.
Click to expand...

That's not true. There are a few older alarm systems that aren't compatible, but almost all of them are now. The trick is to connect the VOIP to a home run. You need a direct line from the modem to a point before the alarm panel, usually the NID. Then the alarm panel doesn't usually know the difference. If you just jumper off the nearest outlet, you'll likely have problems with the alarm system.

I've installed cable VOIP for years in many homes with alarm systems.
 
NeutronTech said:
That's not true. There are a few older alarm systems that aren't compatible, but almost all of them are now. The trick is to connect the VOIP to a home run. You need a direct line from the modem to a point before the alarm panel, usually the NID. Then the alarm panel doesn't usually know the difference. If you just jumper off the nearest outlet, you'll likely have problems with the alarm system.

I've installed cable VOIP for years in many homes with alarm systems.
Click to expand...

From my understand the power that alarms use for back up when your power is killed is what the phone line it self provides. So unless your internet is provided via phone line, then your in terms screwed. I could be wrong its been a while since I had to install any VOIP with someone who has a alarm system.
 
Corbin said:
From my understand the power that alarms use for back up when your power is killed is what the phone line it self provides. So unless your internet is provided via phone line, then your in terms screwed. I could be wrong its been a while since I had to install any VOIP with someone who has a alarm system.
Click to expand...

I think most alarms have a back up battery in case of failure or attempt to cut them off.
 
Yeah, most have battery backups. A lot are coming with cellular backups now too in case the phone goes out or the line gets cut. The VOIP uses a lot less voltage than POTS so, yeah it's not going to be enough to power the alarm should power go out. Of course the phone's going to be out anyways unless the modem and VOIP are on a UPS. Unless you get it through the cable company and get a battery backup EMTA so you won't need the modem for it then.
 
NWPhotog said:
I think most alarms have a back up battery in case of failure or attempt to cut them off.
Click to expand...

Ok i had my foot in my mouth and didn't finish, it also needs to remain connected to the provider, in-case power did get killed and their was a emergency, the provider can contact the correct emergency personal.

Thus needing Phone Lines since they provide their own power and they don't run off the power grid, Power goes out the backup battery will stay Alarmed but wouldn't have no way of protection.

With Voip you use your ISP connection, and who needs your Power line, If power goes out your internet goes out, then your completely alone.

Hence why in movies they redirect the phone control when they cut power to break in, alarm wont sound for phone line being cut, and if it did alarm it would go off to the limbo.

Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
All parties are correct, I know instances where people use Alarm systems with Voip and they do work if configured correctly. However as everybody has pointed out if the power goes out, or the net goes down then the phone call can't be made obviously. In our area hardly anyone has a monitored alarm system, so it isn't as big of an issue. In other areas customers definitely would need to be made aware of that though when switching.
 
I saw an OOMA display at Costco last week that said you can port your current number (for a fee), Has anyone done this?
 
stevenamills said:
I saw an OOMA display at Costco last week that said you can port your current number (for a fee), Has anyone done this?
Click to expand...

I ported my number but not for free.... You need to buy a premier package it is 9.99 a month or $120 for a year. The package is quite attractive and perhaps I should have done it that way. There are three or 4 ways to get a free port and they change all the time.

I ported my number for $40 dollars. I just want free long distance and no contract. Without International we pay 3.40 FCC tax a month and that is it!!!

To the Vonage lovers. You have to have a 1 year contract and you will always pay a bill to Vonage +FCC tax.

With OOMA can also sell my hardware on ebay. Also you can buy used hardware on ebay and pay a 60 dollar re-activation fee. You buy the thing for $90 and activate it for $60 you just saved quite a few dollars. (The price has changed so do your research)

EDIT: STEVENAMILLS Correction: you said for a fee.... I read it as free when I posted. LOL Yes I ported it, takes about 3 weeks and you can use your normal line and ooma together your received calls will come in through the old line and you can call using your ooma immediately. The ID will even show your old number!
 
Last edited:
hondablaster said:
OK

I will tell you from experience that both the ooma and magic jack work very well. However the the OOMA is more expensive but it has almost 0 maintenance. The interface is actually a website and its has tons of options. Magic Jack is cheaper and very straightforward in price ($40 device + 1 year of service, 20 a year afterward) but you need to know about QOS have a PC and program the PC to maintain itself (reboots, patches, firewall etc) So if you ask me its OOMA all the way. Likewise the MJ is wimpy on advanced features. The only people who should be installing magic jacks are techs using it for themselves. ;)

A little more about ooma.

1. Great call quality.
2. The IP to voice converter is an answering machine also.
3. $200 bucks from amazon only 3.00 a month for FCC tax. No yearly cost.
4. Several feature packages (advanced call ID blocker etc) (bulk international minutes)
5. The box doubles as a router of sorts. So you go cable/dsl box. To ooma box, to your router or PC. This eliminates the need to be a QOS, NAT wizard because the box subnet is before the router/PC. I can reboot my router and not lose a call for this reason!!!! (the fact that you have two subnets may increase security of the home network)

My main selling point was you buy the box and no bills. Vonage wants to bill me monthly. I said forget that. Plus this household calls Mexico and the rates for that are cheap. 1000 minutes 70 countries for 10 bucks.

Cheapest place to get it is Amazon.com no tax free shipping 200.00 flat.

On a side note. My wise guy uncle said if the power goes out you don't have a phone.... Well, you can install a UPS to the Ooma box, cable modem, and wireless phone and in theory you should still be able to make calls. This is how many cable company's offer digital telephone because the modems themselves have a battery pack.

Be sure to use DECT 6.0 phones. To send a fax dial *99 to turn off data compression.

http://www.amazon.com/Ooma-Telo-Fre..._1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1281846647&sr=1-1-catcorr

I hope I filled you head with good ideas.

Goodluck.
Click to expand...

I don't know if you filled the OP's head with good ideas, but you certainly filled mine! I'm tired of paying through the nose for long distance to the baby bells -- looks like its time for a change. Thanks!
 
Feraxks said:
I don't know if you filled the OP's head with good ideas, but you certainly filled mine! I'm tired of paying through the nose for long distance to the baby bells -- looks like its time for a change. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Oh he definitely did, I'm investing in an Ooma box myself in the very near future. I've been looking for a solution other than going to just my cell phone, I love the features they offer on the Premier package. I've got a buddy who has Vonage, and his call quality is always horrible when we talk on the phone. That's one reason I've avoided Voip until now.
 
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