That's It! New Phone Service Needed!!

[Carbo]

I presently have Comcast Digital Phone Service for my primary home line and a second line for a fax machine. Two and a half weeks ago both lines suddenly went dead. A repairman came out the next day, fiddled around a bit and said he couldn't real detect the problem. He switched out a box on the side of my house, service returned, and all was fine. Until today. . .when the identical problem has just occured again. It's frustrating, to say the least. Especially when I run a business out of the house and these lines are needed. Another call to Comcast just now got me a tired employee who apologized, and set up a repair ticket scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, no office phone or fax.
I also utilize Comcast as my ISP, and for HDTV. My internet and the TV are rarely an issue. Even if they were, they are pretty much the only way to go in my location, (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), so I'd be SOL anyway.
But with phone service I have to assume there are options for the consumer. I know about VOIP, but that is tied into my internet connection if I'm not mistaken. And that leaves me Comcast dependent still. BellSouth, maybe? Anyone else?

 

[zanieladie]

I have Comcast internet and tv - but have always been afraid to get any telephone service through the internet for that reason. If cable goes out, then you have no phone. Right?

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: zanieladie
I have Comcast internet and tv - but have always been afraid to get any telephone service through the internet for that reason. If cable goes out, then you have no phone. Right?

Not necessarily. I have had all three go out simultaneously, and independent of one another. Damned if I understand this. And last year after Wilma, Comcast's facilities were clobbered. We had nothing, including no phone service. Meanwhile, my neighbors with BellSouth had no service interruption.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: Carbo

Originally posted by: zanieladie
I have Comcast internet and tv - but have always been afraid to get any telephone service through the internet for that reason. If cable goes out, then you have no phone. Right?

Not necessarily. I have had all three go out simultaneously, and independent of one another. Damned if I understand this. And last year after Wilma, Comcast's facilities were clobbered. We had nothing, including no phone service. Meanwhile, my neighbors with BellSouth had no service interruption.

Then get BellSouth. Comcast's VoIP service seems too expensive anyway.