Home Phone Service

[dlock13]

My sister and brother-in-law have a son who is about that age where his friends are going to start calling him (I think 7 or 8). They only have the 2 cell phones (sister and bro). They obviously don't want to give out their phone numbers to anyone and would rather just get a house phone because it's the reasonable and cheap/safe thing to do.

Now, what he wants is just a cheap and easy service. What do you think they should do? They have fast internet (15+ mb/s). They also have an iPhone 4 that could possibly be used as a VoIP phone (but I don't know how to do that).

What do you think they can do here or what would be the best service to get?

He was looking into AT&T home phone service for $10 a month but would rather have something free. Right now, they're thinking AT&T will probably be the easiest thing to do, but we're trying to figure out all angles of this situation.

So let me know your ideas! Thanks!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I know I grew up in the dark ages but, 7 or 8 year olds aren't likely to have any friends that aren't within walking/biking distance. Tell them to let the kid exercise his shoe leather.

 

[dlock13]

I know I grew up in the dark ages but, 7 or 8 year olds aren't likely to have any friends that aren't within walking/biking distance. Tell them to let the kid exercise his shoe leather.

This isn't OT. I'd prefer helpful responses.

 

[Dulanic]

Free phone service, just uses Google Voice.

OBi110

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

This isn't OT. I'd prefer helpful responses.

I'm sorry you don't find my honest opinion helpful. I wasn't trying to be a jerk.

 

[ImDonly1]

Free phone service, just uses Google Voice.

http://www.amazon.com/OBi110-Service...eywords=Obi110

This is what I was thinking.
Or setting up the google voice on a smartphone for WiFi use?

 

[Dulanic]

This is what I was thinking.
Or setting up the google voice on a smartphone for WiFi use?

I use that because it is most like a home phone. The other upside is it can forward to your cell so you never miss a call.

 

[zerogear]

Ooma is also nice, as it's free after initial purchase. (& Monthly tax)

 

[Ravynmagi]

Free phone service, just uses Google Voice.

OBi110

This is what I use also. Pretty easy, it walks you through setting up your Google Voice account. Works just like a regular phone. Only had to pay $50 for the hardware.

 

[dlock13]

This is what I use also. Pretty easy, it walks you through setting up your Google Voice account. Works just like a regular phone. Only had to pay $50 for the hardware.

So you'll have buy a handset with it as well? I don't know if they have one. What if they just set up Google Voice on their iPhone 4 that's not activated currently?

 

[railer]

This is what I use also. Pretty easy, it walks you through setting up your Google Voice account. Works just like a regular phone. Only had to pay $50 for the hardware.

So if you've got like 6 phones, can you run them all off of this thing, just like our current Roadrunner modem? I'm getting the urge to dump Time Warner completely...well except for RR.

 

[vshah]

So you'll have buy a handset with it as well? I don't know if they have one. What if they just set up Google Voice on their iPhone 4 that's not activated currently?

google voice on a cell phone still uses your plan minutes, unless you get it working via SIP. i don't know if there are SIP apps for the iphone. obihai is way, way simpler.

 

[Dulanic]

So if you've got like 6 phones, can you run them all off of this thing, just like our current Roadrunner modem? I'm getting the urge to dump Time Warner completely...well except for RR.

You technically could as long as your internal wiring is not connected to the outside. I just use a cordless set /w 3 phones.

 

[master7045]

I think Ooma would be great for your Sis & family. I used it for about a year, and after the initial hardware purchase it was only $3.97 for unlimited US calls. We just never used the service so I dropped it. [Insert sales pitch] If you're interested in it, I'm trying to sell my used one, which is listed in my FS thread.[End sales pitch] Just FYI, if you do buy a used one vs new, there is a re-activation fee which is $60 I think. If they aren't porting a number I don't think there are any other fees. They do have a pay service, but for the needs you listed, I don't think it's worth it.