Are you looking for the cheapest home phone rates?

Question

I got really tired of paying AT&T $80-$100 every month, so I did some research. Vonage has a plan that is only 14.95 plus tax(about $20). They don't advertise it, you have to ask. You get local and long distance and all of their features and 500 minutes a month. I never use all my minutes 'cause I have a cell phone too. I just wanted to share this with everyone. Also the phone works great, I have had it for over a year and no problems.

Answer 1

The posting above me is correct. I currently have two magic jacks and they are excellent. It will cut your phone bill dramatically each year. Try them you wont be disappointed.

Answer 2

great!!!! I got an even cheaper one....19.905 for the whole year!!!

http://www.magicjack.com/site/index.html

you gotta buy that gizmo for 39.95 for the first year....then only 19.95 per year...and you also get free E911 with it....and yes it works too...I've tried it!!

just click on the link.....there website is very user-friendly.....I just ordered the MJ.....plug it into your USB port>>>>just use any old cheap phone and make calls....I love it!!! the installation was much easier then my other VoIP phones....! You also get free voice -mail via wave.file to your emails....lots of my friends who are in school use it to call home...its small enough to take it with you while traveling.....I'm going next Sunday to Europe and take it with me to call my family back home with an USA area-code, so its much more convenient then skype....

Answer 3

I have an unlimited plan with all the features through another company.  They are very reliable.  I heard to many complaints about Vonage.  I went to a company that donates a percentage of everyone's bills every month (at no extra charge to me) to help out handicap, mentally challenged. and youth programs.  Does Vonage do anything like that?  Why do they charge the 39. fee?  This other company didn't do that.

Answer 4

When making VoIP service comparisons, we shouldn't be comparing apples to oranges.  

The marketing schemes for VoIP services are so diverse, it is almost impossible to make side-by-side comparisons and call one better or worse than the other.  The marketing is designed to make it difficult to accurately compare one to the other.  There are many factors to consider - not just price.

For example Vonage is marketed as a home phone replacement VoIP service with 911 and phone numbers available most everywhere in USA/Canada.   Vonage uses an ATA box (no computer required).  

For a valid comparison, I would offer InPhonex.com as a good competitor, with "unlimited" USA/Canada incoming/outgoing calls for $24.95/month + a phone number in "Any area codes" of USA/Canada/UK.  InPhonex can supply your ATA box (or softphone) or bring your own device (unlike Vonage's locked boxes).  To save more, I subscribe to InPhonex LiteLine for only $7.95/month with "unlimited incoming" calls, a phone number, and 911.  Then, I only pay 2.5 cent/min for all outgoing calls to anywhere in USA/Canada.  

To save even more, CallCentric.com offers "unlimited" incoming and outgoing calling to USA/Canada for only $19.95/month + phone number in "Any area codes" in USA/Canada + 911 calling in USA.  With CallCentric you bring your own ATA device (BYOD).  I use Linksys PAP2T-NA configured for both InPhonex and CallCentric (subscribes to 2 services simultaneously).  No computer required, no contracts, no committments, pay-as-you-go.  But, I don't do a lot of long distance calling, so I only subscribe to CallCentrics "Pay-Per-Minute" Incoming Phone Number for only $1.95/month + 1.98 cent/min outgoing (anywhere in USA/Canada) and 1.5 cent/min incoming calls .  911 available in USA.

Skype and MagicJack are a different kind of fruit.  Both require a computer.  Neither provide phone numbers in "All" area codes of USA/Canada - only in the "Major Cities" in USA. Neither offers area phone numbers in Canada (where I live).  Whereas, Vonage, InPhonex, CallCentric do offer area code numbers in Canada (Vonage is much more expensive though).  To receive your phone calls, both Skpe and MagicJack require your "Computer" to be on 24/7 to receive calls as such.  

MagicJack only works plugged into PC USB port - not stand-alone.  Skype "now" has its own ATA box with cordless phone (Linksys CIT-400) that does not require a PC to be on to use - MagicJack cannot do this.  MagicJack currently does not work with Apple PC's (Mac's).

Skype and MagicJack are really a good VoIP "long distance calling" replacement services - but not home phone replacement services.  And, yes MagicJack is "currently" a better deal than Skype.  And MagicJack has 911 (just be sure the computer is on before calling 911).