What are all you hep cats using for VOIP?

lymon · Post by **lymon** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:41 pm

I have the usual array of voip stuff, MJ, Nettalk, GV on OBI110, but need something a little more full featured.

I'm looking at some of the pay as you go plans on Callcentric. You need to pick and incoming and outgoing package, in order to have a full POTS like experience, right?

Any opinions on something better/cheaper than Callcentric, that won't require anything other than the OBI to implement?

cell14 · Post by **cell14** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:44 pm

Localphone is definitely far cheaper.
And with the free NYC DID and only 1.50/month for 911 service Callcentric is not bad either,when you consider the beyond land line experience.

Bob859 · Post by **Bob859** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 1:00 pm

This hep cat is using ooma. I love it. It has worked close to flawlessly since August '09. I got in at just the right time, so I have no annual or monthly cost.

SteveHC · Post by **SteveHC** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:15 pm

Ooma's Premier service is pretty full-featured, but it's $10/month (taxes & fees bring it up to about $15/month)... and the device costs $175-$200 up-front...

cell14 · Post by **cell14** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 12:13 am

ooma makes very little sense to me. Additionally, I do not feel buying any proprietary device any more, even one far less expensive than ooma.

Bob859 · Post by **Bob859** » Fri Aug 31, 2012 1:48 am

It is true that the start up cost with ooma is high, but it has worked out well for me. My net startup cost was $160. It has provided me with good quality service for over three years. I have no monthly or annual fees. I am a former Magic Jack user. I found MJ to be very unreliable.

SteveHC · Post by **SteveHC** » Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:42 am

Even OOMA has its disadvantages. Although its customer service and phone network reliability are very good, its voip codec and proprietary router implementation (within its Telo device) leave a LOT to be desired. Specifically, its audio sounds noticeably "gritty" and often even "slurred" (too many moments of slowed-down audio).

Unfortunately, every single inexpensive voip service has its "pros" and "cons". NONE are consistently as good and/or as reliable as that of the more expensive commercial/business-grade service providers, cable tv providers, or POTS providers. At least not yet...