Two words: Magic Jack. I LOVE MINE!!! I have absolutely NO complaints! All you need is a high speed internet connection. Most homes have that anyway. I even use a splitter with mine for my fax machine! Most of the people who are complaining about it either don’t have one, or don’t even know anybody with one. I am SO glad I invested the paltry $40 to get my home phone service. That amounts to about $1.67/mon (not including the $20 for the device). You get your own phone number PLUS 911 service. The installation (or lackthereof) is simple. You get all of the bells and whistles you get from a regular landline service (call waiting, caller ID, voicemail. I’m not sure about the 3-way calling though). The coolest part about Magic Jack is the voicemail. When you get a message, you get an e-mail of that message! Which means, you can literally listen to your message over the computer!! Is that not cool, or what?? You can also take your Magic Jack with you. Wherever you go that has high speed internet hook-up, you’ll have the ability to make calls! Now, of course the detractors will say, “If the power goes out, then what”. Big deal. Since when was it a national crisis because your phone service got interrupted? Truth be told, Magic Jack is the way to go! By the way, if you opt to pay for 5 years in advance, the monthly charge drops down to about $1/mo (5 yrs/$59.99). And keep in mind, these are unlimited/long distance calls!! Do yourself a favor and get a Magic Jack.

You are right. The magic jack could cause a problem during a hurricane. Yes if you have a generator than it might possibly still work, but then you have to think about the internet reception. However, that is when mine and my husband’s cell phones would come into use. Even if you do not have a generator you can get a car charger for your cell and keep it charged that way. During Ivan and Katrina my cell phoned worked throughout the entire time. However, then I was with Cellular South, but my husband had AT&T. At that point we were not living together and I was still in school, but we had no problems keeping in contact. Every now and then my magic jack will act up, but all I have to do is restart my computer and 95% of the time it fixes whatever problem I am having with it. If you use you land line a lot and need it for business related things than AT&T may be the way to go because you do have way less interruptions. However, if you just need a land line to keep in touch or for social reasons than I would probably go with Magic Jack. 25 dollars a year for call waiting, caller ID, 3 way calling, long-distance, voice mail and there are a few other services I can not think of off the top of my head. My cell is through AT&T and I have had excellent service with them. Never have had surprise billings or hidden fees. They have a great phone selection and very reasonably priced when you first sign a contract or go online to purchase.

The discussions of Voip connections on here cought my interest. I have seen the advertisments for months but never look at the services mentioned here since I haven’t known anyone to use them.

I am all about Customer Reviews when it comes to a product I am not certain about. After looking at customer reviews online, I found both Magic Jack and Broadvoice have alot of bad reviews. Granted user errors could be playing a role in the bad reviews.

With Broadvoice it appeared that the most complaints were about the Customer service. Some were able the service not working or alot of extra charges just popping up. If you do not mind extra charges popping up I would say just stay with ATT….

With Magic Jack alot of reviews were simply the devices didn’t work, or terrible connections with alot of back ground noise. Here is were I can see user error possibly playing a role in the bad reviews.

This was just something to toss out there.

if you have a generator then magic jack will work as long as your internet connection s good,if not then you are on your own.

Sorry, I stand corrected. I guess, I just don’t need all those other services, and i have thought about magic jack but if a hurricane can and we had no light then no computer and no phone unless I am wrong on that too, which I problem am but my wireless laptop will only last a few hours and lights could be out for weeks. I don’t know. the bfa

Yeah they do.

Wow, this increase is a big suprise… NOT! Whoever didn’t see this coming once ATT took over Bellsouth is totally blind. I guess this will give me the needed motivation to go ahead and drop my land line. The same thing will happen to Cell phones as well, I am sure.
Blame it on inflation like it cost them more to have my phone line operating. I know inflation exist and is a good thing to an extent but I feel companies use at as an excuss to much sometimes.

LOL. Well at least you have loyal qualities even if it is more with the frozen food. Can not say you are not loyal. Well of course except for the wife. lol.

i have always been brand loyal, like still watching wkrg, still not buying toshiba(Sold out secrets to the russians)still banking with the same bank i did when i was 8, still seek out swanson first when i look for frozen dinners etc. when i find something i like i stick with it. except for wives.(GROAN)

Well it is a plus that they have loyal customers. Like I said I still use them for my cellphone. Use to have cellular south, but they will not insure any of their phones. That was my big down fall with them.