VOIP / Google Voice - Who do you use?

[Kelemvor]

So I've been with ViaTalk ever since the SunRocket fiasco many years ago. I have no complaints over service but am trying to see if there are better (read cheaper) options out there.

So, who do you use for VOIP and what do you pay?

Viatlak is something like $189/year and sometimes you can talk them into giving you an extra year, or at least 6 months, for free. Not sure what other companies are out there these days so just looking for recommendations.

Also looking into the option of Google Voice, but I don't know how that really works yet...

Guy at work also use Google Voice and then has MagicJack at home for if he reaaaly needs a land line for some reason.

Thanks.

 

[Zeze]

Do homeowners with family still use land line? I haven't touched a land line in ages.

My parents still have their land line, I never call it.

 

[Kelemvor]

Since I have limited minutes on my Virgin Mobile account, we do still have a land line. Am debating to see if we really need it or not... Might do the Google Voice thing. Can I set Google Voice to only forward to certain numbers at certain times so my cell phone doesn't go off when I'm at work?

 

[Anubis]

dont use it

cell only

 

[EvilYoda]

I had set my parents on the epic fail that was Sunrocket too - they're on Ooma, but only as of 2 weeks ago. So far it's been great and despite it costing a little more than some competition, the features are great and its simplicity is why I wanted it for them.

 

[sdifox]

freephoneline.ca

gave them 100 bux to give me an ata with pre configured profile.

done for life

if I need LD, I just add some money online. put 5 bux in since Jan and it is still there.

 

[Scouzer]

I use VOIP.ms. They are the least expensive option that I've found at least. CS is OK but it's definitely a techie service--you need to provide your own equipment and spend forever configuring it.

 

[arch113]

ooma- little over $3 per month for taxes, otherwise its free with purchase of the equipment.

 

[ponyo]

I use grandfathered Ooma. 4-5 years I think. I don't remember the last time I had a landline phone bill. $0 everything, not even taxes. . I bought Obihai for my sister. $0 for her as well at least til end of this year. With Obihai, it's best to get separate new Google Voice number just for the device.

 

[Lemon law]

I use gmail and it cost zero dollar a month. Just download the app, plug in any USB phone handset, and make free phone calls to anywhere in the US and Canada.

 

[lupi]

@home, about $100 a year for unlimited US calling.

 

[dr150]

Ooma.

Local calls free.

I use a calling card for international calls. 1 cent to Europe FTW! :thumbsup:

 

[Texashiker]

My wife and I use Vonage

 

[Kelemvor]

I'm looking at Google Voice and it actually looks pretty neat.

Would have to port the home number to a throw away mobile line and then port it to google voice.
Can use an app to get free calls through Google Chat (GrooveIP) so wouldn't use any minutes except for incoming.
No need for international anything.

Hmmm.

 

[MontyAC]

Long distance on Google Voice is great. Free for calls in the USA and Canada. Our calls to the UK is only 2 cents per minute.

 

[MajorMullet]

We used Vonage for years but switched to Ooma about 6 months ago. Works great, no complaints at all.

 

[kalrith]

I've been using MagicJack for a couple years and like it. As long as I'm not bandwidth starved (i.e. downloading a bunch of stuff), then it works well. I paid $75 for 5 years of service about a year ago.

 

[Ryun]

I've used BroadVoice, which is decent if you don't know what you're doing. It's ~$18 / month after taxes and fees (I got the $10 local plan); free local calling; $0.03 / min for long distance; $60 to rent a ATA - though they never asked for it back when I dropped them.

My girlfriend have been using our cellphones more often so I switched to Voip.ms. I bought a $50 Linksys ATA adapter and set it up myself. I pay $0.01 / min to call anywhere in the US. My bill is like $5 / month.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I used packet8 for a while....then sunrocket....then packet8 again.

Dropped that when I moved and have used a combination of a hacked PAP2 adapter with Google Voice and a IPKrall and some other stuff for a free number......and cell phones.

I'm looking at paying the telco again for a real land line for security and reliability. It just depends on what they charge and how much of a hassel it is. I only want a land line to call 911 out....maybe for faxing, a security system, etc...

One thing I don't miss is the telemarketers and survey SOBs. I haven't had to deal with those in years.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Ooma at home landline. Got in before taxes were required, so it's free for life after buying my $170 box.

Use Google Voice for international calling from my mobile. Got tired of the phone cards... and the poor quality of phone card lines.

 

[Kelemvor]

I used packet8 for a while....then sunrocket....then packet8 again.

Dropped that when I moved and have used a combination of a hacked PAP2 adapter with Google Voice and a IPKrall and some other stuff for a free number......and cell phones.

I'm looking at paying the telco again for a real land line for security and reliability. It just depends on what they charge and how much of a hassel it is. I only want a land line to call 911 out....maybe for faxing, a security system, etc...

One thing I don't miss is the telemarketers and survey SOBs. I haven't had to deal with those in years.

I think I still have my old Sunrocket Gizmo thing around somewhere. Can that be configured to make calls through Google Voice using a regular phone? That'd be cool if it can.

 

[vi edit]

Ooma for two years and very happy. Also on the old hub system with no fees. One of the better $100 tech toys I've invested in. Quality has been very good and consistent.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I've been using Skype for the last 3 years, and I have been pleased with the service, but I am tired of their adapters/phones so I am switching to voip.ms. Based on our usage patterns, I expect it will cost ~$6/month, roughly the same as Skype, but with e911. As a bonus, long distance to the UK will actually be a little cheaper with voip.ms.

For business, I've been happy with Intalk for 3 years now, but I'm planning to switch away from Intalk to voip.ms in the near future as well, which will drop the monthly bill from ~$25/month to ~$15/month.

As for Google Voice, it's been ok for what little we've used, but don't plan on it to be very reliable. There are lots of complaints of dropped calls and total outages, and they also don't do e911.

If you need a phone adapter, I highly recommend the Obihai 100 or 110. Web-based configuration/administration is dead simple and they work great.

 

[boochi]

Obi110 with Google Voice

 

[ultimatebob]

I found that my Comcast cable bill would actually be $10 lower a month if I added their VoIP package to my cable bill, so I now I have that. I don't actually USE it, but it's there if I need it.