VOIP replacing landline--experiences

Parent Cafe
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<p>Have recently read about people who have replaced their landlines with VOIP systems connected with their internet. Some have been VERY happy (especially with eliminating the monthly landline phone bill) while others have been quite unhappy & switched back to landlines. I am just polling to test the waters on this issue. Hubby is inclined to keep the landline (the price of landline + DSL is only $56+). We don’t use our landline phone a ton but I do use it sometimes. We also sometimes do some faxing on it.</p>

<p>We do sometimes have problems with our DSL–connection goes down and gets slow at times, especially when the kids are downloading or doing a lot of graphics.</p>

<p>Costco has some VOIP set up you can purchase as an alternative to Skype.</p>

<p>Thanks for your thoughts on the matter.</p>

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<p>HImom, my company has a lot of people who work from home. They recently switched from regular phone lines to VOIP. Everyone seems to love it… they say their phone calls are much clearer now. They all have two way cable though rather then DSL, so I am not sure if that makes a difference or not.</p>

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<p>I bought a Vonage # somewhere in the 2001-2004 years and it has been great for me as I can have a local number even when I work in different locations, both states and even countries!</p>

<p>One of the best features for me is “simul-ring” the phone always rings BOTH the plugged in phone and my cell. Since I come and go a lot, I never miss a call, but since me home cell service is sketchy, I can answer on the good phone at home.</p>

4

<p>I have had Voip phone for 6-8 yrs first with ATT and now with Vonage ( ATT discontinued their VOIP service) I have always been very satisfied and it was a great savings over the land line we had. I also have used a fax with these too. I have high speed internet so not sure how DLS would be.</p>

5

<p>see the other thread on OOMA. We have one from Costco and love it. I generally forget it’s VOIP The connections are clear and no delays. We had a Magic Jack and it was a piece of cr@p - static and tough getting calls to connect.</p>

6

<p>Spent the weekend setting up a new laptop computer that I am giving as an Xmas gift. Decided to add an HD webcam to the package to see if Lake Jr. could figure out how to make internet video phone calls. Well, I tried it out. Logitech Vid HD. So far, so good.</p>

7

<p>Also have had bad experiences with Magic Jack. Sound quality is poor and it won’t complete calls to some conference calls systems.</p>

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<p>VOIP itself can be good or not so good. If you’re doing it for a business phone that’s fine, but it won’t work when the internet or the power is out and won’t give your location if you are calling in a 911 emergency. I think it’s a safety issue to not have a landline in a home.</p>

9

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<p>Not true anymore. I have Vonage and when you call 911 it does give location. I believe all VOIP systems do this. </p>

<p>I do agree that if you lose internet you lose phone service. </p>

<p>We have had Vonage for about 7 years now and been very happy. As someone else mentioned, we can take the calls anywhere. </p>

<p>I think many of our kids will never have a landline, but will just use their cell phone.</p>