As you are probably aware, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband internet connection instead of a traditional fixed-line phone service provider, or POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service).
There are lots of services and devices that enable you to take advantage of the cost savings that this technology puts in your pocket . I will examine three of the highest profile : Vonage, magicJack, and Ooma Telo.
Vonage is the most established of the three. It gives you everything you could want in a home phone , and more.
Their most popular calling plan gives you unlimited calls in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico; low international rates to 60 countries; and a variety of convenient benefits like voice mail, three-way calling, caller ID, existing number portability, the ability to take your number with you in the event that you move, and many other features.
Vonage's one big disadvantage is the monthly bills . Their popular "Vonage World" calling plan costs $25.99 per month. That's reasonable compared to a fixed-line phone, but then again , the main point of getting VoIP is the lower cost . From that perspective , $25.99 a month seems a little steep . Vonage also has business phone plans that are slightly pricier , but still seem like they might save the average office a lot of money. It seems to me that Vonage is a good way to go for an office , but not the best choice as a residential phone service provider.
While Vonage has a lot in common with a traditional telephone service, magicJack is a whole new kettle of fish . The Magic Jack itself is a telephone jack that you plug into a USB port on your computer. Then all you have to do is set it up by following the prompts that will pop up on your computer screen. After that is done , you can plug your standard RJ-11 phone jack-equipped telephone into the magicJack and start calling .
The nicest aspect of the magicJack is its affordability . The initial investment in this gadget is just $39.95, which includes the $20.00 purchase price and the first year's service charge. After that, there is an annual service charge of $19.95. That's right : $19.95 per year.
The other great thing about the magicJack is its portability . At 113 x 55.56 x 13.65 mm ( 4.45 x 2.19 x 0.54 inches), It can easily be put in your pocket. You can use it for making unlimited calls in the United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada from anywhere that you have access to a broadband internet connection--even if you're abroad . Say for example you take a trip to Italy. You'd still have to pay Magic Jack's international rates to call anybody there (currently $0.02 per minute to a fixed line phone, and $0.28 to a mobile), but you could call home for free.
One diadvantage is that it does not offer portability of your current land line phone number. Which means that you can't transfer your home phone number to the magicJack. However , you can choose from a list of area codes and telephone numbers when you first set it up, and receive calls at that number wherever you are in the world.
A more annoying negative for the average customer is the fact that you can't turn off the magicJack's advertisements. The following is from the terms of service agreement:
You also understand and agree that use of the magicJack device and Software will include advertisements. Advertisements will be served through the magicPage™ Software or the magicJack softphone - the software/softphone attempts to serve local advertisements and classifieds using a completely automated process that enables us to effectively target dynamically changing content. Our computers may analyze the phone numbers you call and your registration information in order to improve the relevance of the ads. We do not provide any personal information to our advertisers or third parties.
That sounds kind of annoying , but I suppose it's similar to a bad smell: with the passage of time , you hardly even notice it. But that's not the biggest negative point of the magicJack. The biggest disadvantage , from the point of view of its being a replacement for a regular land line, is that it only works when your computer is on .
As our final product review , let's look at the Ooma Telo. From the aspect of being a replacement for a traditional home phone, the Ooma Telo offers the best of both worlds .
Like Vonage, it works independently from your computer, so it doesn't matter if your computer is on or off, or even if you have a computer. It's also more or less stationary. That's an advantage for somebody with young children. These days , most people rely on their cell phones most of the time, but with young children in the house, it can be reassuring to have a phone accessible to anyone who may be looking after them, like parents or a baby sitter.
Like magicJack, Ooma Telo does not charge monthly phone bills . Actually , there are no phone bills at all. Once you buy the Ooma Telo box, you are only charged $11.75 a year for taxes and regulatory fees.
The Ooma Telo is very sleek, modern looking and includes an answering machine that uses capacitive sensing technology, so the buttons respond to the slightest touch .
One disadvantage is that it lacks portability . Of course you can take it with you in the event that you move , but it's not a device that you would lug about with you on a daily basis .
The disadvantage of the Ooma Telo is the initial investment . It is from $200.00 to $250.00. That's not exactly a king's ransom , but it will put a bigger dent in you bank account than the 40 bucks for a magicJack. On the other hand , in comparison to Vonage, it would pay for itself in a short amount of time .
To reiterate the main points , Vonage is a convenient system that offers a seamless switch from a land line to VoIP (with the caveat that number portability is not available for some land line numbers) and a list of features that make it a whole lot more convenient than your land line phone service ever could be . Unfortunately, it's one of the most expensive VoIP providers.
MagicJack is eminently affordable , but is not up to snuff as a replacement for a POTS : it doesn't provide existing number portability and doesn't work except when your computer is on .
The Ooma Telo offers the best of both worlds. Like Vonage it provides a seamless transition from a land line to VoIP (with the same caveat about existing number portability) and like the magicJack, when you say "hello" to this VoIP provider, you can say "goodbye" to your monthly telephone bills. For more info and the best prices on the Ooma Telo, check out Ooma Telo.Net at http://www.oomatelo.net