For those who use VOIP phones or Skype in place of landline...?

Question

What will you do if there is an emergency and need 911 assistance? Do you have any back up plan?

I'm shopping for VOIP phone but still hesitant because of the lack of 911 assistance. I like Skype and would like to try it as a home phone but want to know how others deal with this issue.

Also anyone use wifi phone for Skype? I wouldn't want to attach to my computer when I receive or call out. What is the reception or call quality? Thanks for any input.

Answer 1

There are dual phones for skype and regular phone service. Where you choose which phone service you want to use landline or Skype so you dont always have to have the computer on when you are using Skype. Skype advertises itself as an internet phone service that is not meant to replace your home phone.   I personally use it like a teen line so My mom in law can talk all day on our land line and i can still use the phone through Skype. other VOIPs have 911 but they tend to cost a little more. I suppose if you went with  Skype as your total phone service you'd have only a cell line then to make 911 calls with. So the question is how often do you dial 911 ? Can you go with out 911 service ?

    i have also used the wifi phone, it's neat when your riding someone elses WIFI service to talk on the phone but it's not as reliable. I also found most hotels have a log on that the Skype phone can't use to access the Free WIFI. i ended up getting a USB phone to plug it into my Laptop and then we can use that to make calls thru our Skype account.

  The WIFI phone is still neat as long as you can find where there are open wireless's to ride of of.

  On a funny note i see where to of my neighbors are feuding over WIFI service as one changed the name of his wireless network to "myneighborisaj*rkoff" !!!!!!!

Answer 2

As you know skype is a SIP service, not a true VoiP Provider, so if your computer is off, no calls...in or out!! So you gotta think about that!

A true VoIP provider goes thru the modem not the computer, so you can make calls even when your computer is off!

the town I live in is wired for E911....almost 97 % of ppl have high-speed internet...!

I have E911 on two of my VoIP provider, just in case...I use Packet8, but I have to pay 1.99 a month for E911 service....and I had tried it our 4 times, and it works....!

I also have 911 with my MagicJack which is free!

I have skype wifi on one of the desk-tops...no far, so good...!

since I work from home I try everything out, if it works, fine......if not I throw it out!!

so many ppl  on my street work from home, and we all talk and compare your VoIP providers....most of us use clearwire.com

so if there is a power outage if will not effect me, got a power backup and the Wi-max internet comes from the verizon tower cell-phone tower, so no power outage will affect my internet!

I also use a UPS for several computers in my house since I work from my house!!

http://www.directron.com/miscellaneous-u...

Answer 3

I'm amazed at the total lack of knowledge about VoIP (by top contributers) here on Answers... and the same people keep spouting the same erroneous information....

1 - Skype IS true VoIP

2 - Skype is NOT SIP (it is proprietary & undisclosed)

1 -  VoIP is VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol)..... it doesn't matter if you use PC or ATA adapter....once it jumps on the Internet, it's all the same....VoIP packets...

2 - SIP and H.323 are the two most common protocols used as VoIP protocol.  SIP is becoming the dominant "open" protocol.  Almost all consumer services that offer BYOD (bring your own device), are SIP-based VoIP.

It doesn't matter if you use SIP or H.323... you basically get the same service in the end... phone calls and video calls...

1- Skype can function over PC AND directly plugged into Modem/Router.  There are numerous Skype phone adapters that either plug into PC USB ports,..... OR.... plug directly into Router..... NO PC required.....

2- Skype uses proprietary protocol..... Skype has not publicly disclosed their protocol suite - it is proprietary & private for competative and security reasons.  Skype Encrypts all calls.... which separates them from the pack.... most SIP and H.323 based VoIP services do not encrypt their calls and thus are open to interception over public Internet routes.

Ok, now that that is out in the open, getting to your question:

--------------------------------------...

I had the same reservations you had about 911 and VoIP.

I wanted to pull the plug on Ma Bell, but had reservations about the 911 issues.

Skypes lack of 911 support is the main reason I use them only for long-distance calling and not primary "home phone".... which is how they intend it to be.

But, I live in Alberta, Canada and can't find a good "low cost" VoIP provider "with 911".  So here is what I did.

I subscribed to InPhonex VoIP service.  InPhonex is based in USA and provide "home phone replacement" capable VoIP service and 911.  I subscribed with them as my "primary" VoIP service because they also provide 911 service in Canada.... which many USA based services don't.

You can buy your VoIP ATA box from InPhonex or, BYOD (bring your own device) and configure it yourself...... which is what I do.

I use the Linksys PAP2T 2-line ATA and have 2 VoIP services simultaneously subscribed on it.  Inphonex on Line-1 and CallCentric on line 2.  Thus, I have two phone numbers with two different VoIP services and only using 1 VoIP ATA box (+modem and Router).

So, now I have InPhonex as my "primary" VoIP home phone service with 911, and CallCentric as my backup service and alternat long-distance VoIP carrier AND Skype on my PC.

To cover short-term power outages, my Modem, Router, VoIP ATA box, and cordless phones are powered by a battery-backed APC UPS power supply.  This is only for short-term power outages.

I cut the cord to Ma Bell and am now 100% VoIP based phone calling.

There is risk that VoIP may not work during power outage...and if you are having equipment technical problems.... and ALL VoIP providers with 911 will tell you that.

So, in the end, it's your call as to how comfortable you feel about always having 100% 911 access.  Many people have a cell phone for backup purposes.  I don't... but then I'm not like everyone else....

Answer 4

The total number of times I have called 911 (or its equivalent in other countries where I was living, 999 or 18) in the past 57 years is a total of .... zero.

That said, it's nice to be able to if you need it.

I use Skype, Freephonie and Wengophone, and have tried a few others.

Wifi phone quality is variable. Some correspondents have complained and called me back on my regular phone. Sometimes it's fine.

A couple of factors to bear in mind - I've kept my standard phone line as I need it for professional reasons. It's reliable.

My Internet connection does drop from time to time. Not too often, but it happens. When you need to call the emergency services, you don't want to have to wait for your ADSL box to reboot.

Also, just think of when you have other people staying who are not used to high tech phones. My mother-in-law would not know what to do. You need to have a system that she could use.

Answer 5

Just stick with standard phone service... all that other c**p is a joke.

Answer 6

If you are really interested in a voip phone, there is one supplier which has become the World Leader in the technology, their service far exceeds any of their competitors.

The service has been operating for a year now in the US, I am in the UK , and we will be getting it later this year.

My understanding of it is that it operates just like a normal phone but uses the internet to communicate, it can communicate with normal phones or other voip phones.

I was in Italy last year and was lucky enough to see a demonstration of the equipment, a video phone, and despite the European network not being up and running then, they were using the US network, the picture and sound quality to and from the US was excellent.

It was so good I have a link to the company on my business web site, can't give you the address here, but if you care to email me I will send you on the details.