What VOIP alternative do YOU recommend?

[testing123]

THIS POST UPDATED BELOW WITH SUGGESTIONS SO FAR

As we all wait for various MJ "pet" features and stability; I was just wondering what other VOIP sevices everyone uses? And how much?

Sorry, but I really just don't believe in having a single source vendor for anything "mission-critical" (i.e., phone can be "mission-critical" due to 911 or Home Alarm Systems for example).

Key features for me are non-existent (Linux support, win2k support, ATA support, Caller ID Block, complete VMware Support -- please don't argue that other Softphones are supported, etc; I am talking about "Officially Supported" from MJ). I know MJ is GREAT for travel; but just as important to me is "landline replacement" at home/office.

Would just love to know. Also does it REALLY make sense to run your own Asterisk box? (I figure since MJ wants us to basically run a "server" to use their service ... why not just use a REAL server running Asterisk maybe on VMware coupled with a cheap VOIP vendor). Check out feedback comments about Value Proposition of being your own Telco

I'll start w/ an example: right now, Vonage will drop $5/month OFF of your current billing if you are "considering dropping their service." Are there any better "all you can eat" VOIP deals out there?? So:

VENDOR / COST / SERVICE AREA / STABILITY / COMMENT
Gizmo Project / Free (Incoming) / Unlimited (Incoming) / Seems Very Stable / Add GrandCentral+ATA for a COMPLETELY FREE incoming phone service with a US Phone #
Freeworlddialup.com + IPKALL.com / Free (Incoming) / Unlimited (Incoming) / Been around for a while (FWD) / Add ATA for a COMPLETELY FREE incoming phone service with a Washington State phone # from IPKALL
Vonage / $19.99 USD/mo / Unlimited US/Canada/Puerto Rico/31 European Cities / Very Stable / Only supports Per-Call ID Blocking; They are OK, except Level1 Tech Support seems be outsourced; now considered "pricey" in this fickle VOIP market They are NOT easy to get rid of: example1, example2
Broadvoice / $19.95 USD/mo / Unlimited US/Canada + 21 Countries / Don't know / Have Startup Fee; Recommended in thread by mansmurf
Skype / approx. $66USD/yr / Unlimited? / Don't know / Recommended by mphixson
Click2Voice / Free / Unlimited? / Don't know / Seems similar to GrandCentral "Call Me" button; No 911; Recommended by digitalnomad
Jajah / Free / Unlimited? / Don't know / Seems similar to GrandCentral "Call Me" button; No 911; Recommended by digitalnomad
voipdiscount.com / Free (+1c/min)? / Don't know / Recommended by kumar
Axvoice Beta / US and Canada, free until beta ends / Don't know / Looks like Free Beta is over / Recommended by laserjobs
Acanac / ? / Don't know / 1 year free local plan; recommended by laserjobs
freephoneline.ca / free local calling plan / Don't know / no ATA access yet; recommended by laserjobs
Lingo / ? / ? / Recommended by kumar
Via Talk / ? / ? / From kumar "I know what some of you are thinking, Via Talk? you mean that s**t i signed up for after sunrocket left? NO WAY!! Well they were just overwheled with the Sunrocket load so the CS sucked then...now it should be ok to sign up for)"
Packet8 / ? / ? / Recommended by kumar
Phone Power VOIP / $199/yr (have 3month $9.95/mo promo) / ? / Recommended by Delavan here; Service sounds great, and nice features BUT their prices don't seem to be any cheaper than Vonage for example
Voipvoip.com / ? / ? / Nice array of services including automatic Calling Card features; highly recommended by msiam
Future-nine.com / ? / ? / Somewhat Beta; highly recommended by many incl Stewart
Yahoo Voice / Free PC-2-PC, PhoneOut: 1c/min US, PhoneIn: $2.49/mo / Worldwide / ? / Stewart says great voice quality

This is NOT an MJ bash thread. IMHO MJ will do well with those who think Price is EVERYTHING, Travel is IMPORTANT, and running a Windoze PC for use is OK. I am not knocking their hustle. I have paid for a few of them. I am just willing to pay more to get features/functionality/stability that I want. Cheers

[mansmurf]

I use Broadvoice...it's better & cheaper than Vonage in my opinion.

[testing123]

I use Broadvoice...it's better & cheaper than Vonage in my opinion.

mansmurf: What is so good about it? Anything specific? Thanks!

[laserjobs]

Personally I am fine using Grand Central and Gizmo Project for a free phone line. I have all my contacts organized and can call them with a click. Since I need to keep a computer on for MJ anyways, why not just open a web browser and use Grand Central to manage my numbers.

[mphixson]

I use Skype for a couple of years, has gone up in cost, latest seems to be about 66.00 a year for your own local number called skypein and for unlimited service out now called skype-pro. Includes voicemail, and all the normal features. i.e. caller id coming in, (i like to check the number left on voice mail vrs the number they call in on displayed in history), call forwarding, etc.
Very reliable, requires your computer be on. only softphone.
Works on a pocket pc, which is great, so my dell axim is now a wi-fi phone.

Minus: needs something on for desktop pc use, price and plan changes every year, peer to peer (if not setup properly, can become a supernode). although I have never experienced this, using a wireless router before my dsl modem. (dsl is basically setup as a bridge connection).

Plus: pretty reliable, great voicemail, turns your pocket pc into a wi-fi phone (doesn't require desktop to be on). they have a STATUS page to tell you if there are any problems.

[testing123]

I use Skype for a couple of years
...

they have a STATUS page to tell you if there are any problems.

LOL, that was just wrong ... you don't say, a STATUS page, huh? What a great concept.

[mphixson]

I use Skype for a couple of years
...

they have a STATUS page to tell you if there are any problems.

LOL, that was just wrong ... you don't say, a STATUS page, huh? What a great concept.

LOL...Hey, I was trying not to bad mouth magicjack's absense of telling you when they take the servers down for the weekend..

[digitalnomad]

Click2Voice for short free calls pretty much anywhere, and JAJAH for just about everything else. Free member-to-member calls, plus you do not need a computer

[testing123]

Click2Voice for short free calls pretty much anywhere, and JAJAH for just about everything else. Free member-to-member calls, plus you do not need a computer

Nice, good info ... but how do you not need a computer? They can use an ATA?? They appear to be similar to the "Call me" button from GrandCentral.com

[digitalnomad]

Sorry if this was not clear...click2voice dot com does require a computer, is ad supported and free, but only good for 10 and 15 minutes per call. You are not limited to a certain number of calls per day, just the length.

JAJAH Direct assigns local numbers for your contacts. Talkster and Jangl are similar services. I believe it is similar to international callback, or dial around. You call a local number and it calls you back, or you dial a local access number to get a dial tone and then dial the actual number you are wanting to reach.

So it is sort of like two call legs with you in the middle. This is how I understand it.

Do a search on "JAJAH Direct", "Talkster", and "Jangle". JAJAH is VoIP, but interfaces with the PSTN and analog phones.

JAHJAH is very cheap, usually 1-3 cents per minute, and the quality is very good. I have called Turkey and it was like 7-8 cents. Rates are posted on the website. If both parties join JAJAH, member-to-member calls are free like Skype, but the quality is better because it is not a peer to peer network.

[testing123]

Thanks digitalnomad ... I checked them out a little since you posted ... it is amazing how many freebie VOIP/Internet 2.0 ventures there are out there. Interesting to see which last.

Great info.

Sorry if this was not clear...click2voice dot com does require a computer, is ad supported and free, but only good for 10 and 15 minutes per call. You are not limited to a certain number of calls per day, just the length.

JAJAH Direct assigns local numbers for your contacts. Talkster and Jangl are similar services. I believe it is similar to international callback, or dial around. You call a local number and it calls you back, or you dial a local access number to get a dial tone and then dial the actual number you are wanting to reach.

So it is sort of like two call legs with you in the middle. This is how I understand it.

Do a search on "JAJAH Direct", "Talkster", and "Jangle". JAJAH is VoIP, but interfaces with the PSTN and analog phones.

JAHJAH is very cheap, usually 1-3 cents per minute, and the quality is very good. I have called Turkey and it was like 7-8 cents. Rates are posted on the website. If both parties join JAJAH, member-to-member calls are free like Skype, but the quality is better because it is not a peer to peer network.

[kumar]

voipdiscount....free for a certain amount of time....then a penny per minute......cant beat that....haev it set up wit my ata and grancentral.....

[testing123]

voipdiscount....free for a certain amount of time....then a penny per minute......cant beat that....haev it set up wit my ata and grancentral.....

Thanks kumar, also adding some from "laserjobs" in this post: http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/dan- ... -t216.html

Gizmo Project - Use with GC <ALREADY POSTED>
Axvoice Beta - US and Canada, free until beta ends <IT LOOKS LIKE THE FREE BETA IS OVER>
Acanac - 1 year free local plan
freephoneline.ca - free local calling plan, no ATA access yet

[digitalnomad]

To Testing123-

I also have been looking at cellular VoIP solutions. Of course, If you are somewhat of a techie you can create your own private network with an Asterisk pbx with open source software and an old computer for a server.

Do a search on YouTube for "Fring" and "Truphone". I have been watching both of these...and they are getting close. You still have to have a data service plan. Too rich for my blood at the moment.

I think T-Mobile has the most reasonable plan right now. Plus they are 3G and I think you can get an unlocked phone or have it unlocked. Be sure to ask and read the fine print.

I would prefer to get a dual mode 3G + Wi-Fi phone. I would not want to rely only on Wi-Fi coverage, although a Wi-Fi phone would be a nice solution if you can dump your home telephone service and use it at home like a cordless phone (with no paid minutes). That pretty much narrows service down to cable for high speed Internet, unless mesh Wi-Fi networks pan out.

You also can get the T-Mobile MyFavs plan and assign your GrandCentral number as one of your MyFav numbers. Just give out your GC number and not your cellphone number, and all your incoming calls will be free.

I hate to say it, but I think Asia and Europe are way ahead of US on wireless VoIP, and they have better network choices with lots of competition for service providers. We are last to get the good stuff here on out, because of closed networks, locked devices, and 4-5 wireless standards vs. GSM for the rest of the world.

People from Asia and Europe can purchase "one" phone and use it anywhere (well, just about anywhere) in the world they go by changing the SIM.

Here are some SIP providers that are Fring partners and easy to find on a Google search: Voipstunt, Voipcheap, FreeWorldDialup, and Blasterphone. These are no-cost and/or low cost for international calls.

[testing123]

Good stuff digitalnomad ... some comments below ... thanks for this feedback.

To Testing123-

I also have been looking at cellular VoIP solutions. Of course, If you are somewhat of a techie you can create your own private network with an Asterisk pbx with open source software and an old computer for a server.

Yeah, I have been checking out Asterisk/VMware pre-built on NerdVittles ... very enticing.

Do a search on YouTube for "Fring" and "Truphone". I have been watching both of these...and they are getting close. You still have to have a data service plan. Too rich for my blood at the moment.

Will do

I think T-Mobile has the most reasonable plan right now. Plus they are 3G and I think you can get an unlocked phone or have it unlocked. Be sure to ask and read the fine print.

I would prefer to get a dual mode 3G + Wi-Fi phone. I would not want to rely only on Wi-Fi coverage, although a Wi-Fi phone would be a nice solution if you can dump your home telephone service and use it at home like a cordless phone (with no paid minutes). That pretty much narrows service down to cable for high speed Internet, unless mesh Wi-Fi networks pan out.

You also can get the T-Mobile MyFavs plan and assign your GrandCentral number as one of your MyFav numbers. Just give out your GC number and not your cellphone number, and all your incoming calls will be free.

Yes, one of my favorite Proof-Of-Concept reads is (a bit old now, but still relevant) this one: Free Anytime Minutes

I hate to say it, but I think Asia and Europe are way ahead of US on wireless VoIP, and they have better network choices with lots of competition for service providers. We are last to get the good stuff here on out, because of closed networks, locked devices, and 4-5 wireless standards vs. GSM for the rest of the world.

People from Asia and Europe can purchase "one" phone and use it anywhere (well, just about anywhere) in the world they go by changing the SIM.

Gotta agree with you completely here.

Here are some SIP providers that are Fring partners and easy to find on a Google search: Voipstunt, Voipcheap, FreeWorldDialup, and Blasterphone. These are no-cost and/or low cost for international calls.

Interesting, I had just heard about FreeWorldDialup and was checking it out as well.

Great info.

[gruz]

Personally I am fine using Grand Central and Gizmo Project for a free phone line. I have all my contacts organized and can call them with a click. Since I need to keep a computer on for MJ anyways, why not just open a web browser and use Grand Central to manage my numbers.

They are a good combination. I can have GC ring my phone via Gizmoproject and then ring the phone I am calling. So I don't pay any outbound charges. And incoming is free as well since it goes through a GC number and then to Gizmoproject and then directly to my ata.

[SpamBox]

Ooma - NOT...hahaha!
Does anyone know anyone with one of these?
Interesting idea, but come on $400!

[testing123]

Ooma - NOT...hahaha!
Does anyone know anyone with one of these?
Interesting idea, but come on $400!

??? don't understand this one ... did I miss something in another post?

[SpamBox]

Ooma - NOT...hahaha!
Does anyone know anyone with one of these?
Interesting idea, but come on $400!

??? don't understand this one ... did I miss something in another post?

Ooma is another expensive voip alternative, well I guess technically the way they advertise it - it's only expensive initially but after a few years it's supposed to save you money. It's also not your typical voip as it uses p2p.

[testing123]

Ooma - NOT...hahaha!
Does anyone know anyone with one of these?
Interesting idea, but come on $400!

??? don't understand this one ... did I miss something in another post?

Ooma is another expensive voip alternative, well I guess technically the way they advertise it - it's only expensive initially but after a few years it's supposed to save you money. It's also not your typical voip as it uses p2p.

OK ... thanks for clarifying ... and I thought I was up on all the terminology, LOL. You had me going for a minute there.

[SpamBox]

??? don't understand this one ... did I miss something in another post?

Ooma is another expensive voip alternative, well I guess technically the way they advertise it - it's only expensive initially but after a few years it's supposed to save you money. It's also not your typical voip as it uses p2p.[/quote]

OK ... thanks for clarifying ... and I thought I was up on all the terminology, LOL. You had me going for a minute there. [/quote]

Ooma Home Page

[testing123]

Personally I am fine using Grand Central and Gizmo Project for a free phone line. I have all my contacts organized and can call them with a click. Since I need to keep a computer on for MJ anyways, why not just open a web browser and use Grand Central to manage my numbers.

They are a good combination. I can have GC ring my phone via Gizmoproject and then ring the phone I am calling. So I don't pay any outbound charges. And incoming is free as well since it goes through a GC number and then to Gizmoproject and then directly to my ata.

I use and like this combo as well BUT ... it still amounts to using a "Softphone" (i.e., in this case a GC Web interface to initiate a call) and I would love to see a "Free"/Low Price Outbound Calling capability that can be initiated from any old phone -- i.e., a "Landline replacement" that does not require any software/web initiation (probably needs to support an ATA).

[SpamBox]

I use and like this combo as well BUT ... it still amounts to using a "Softphone" (i.e., in this case a GC Web interface to initiate a call) and I would love to see a "Free"/Low Price Outbound Calling capability that can be initiated from any old phone -- i.e., a "Landline replacement" that does not require any software/web initiation (probably needs to support an ATA).

i'm in the process of trying to get an unlocked ATA that works just so I can try out this combo. So far no luck, but I'm still trying.

[mansmurf]

I use Broadvoice...it's better & cheaper than Vonage in my opinion.

mansmurf: What is so good about it? Anything specific? Thanks!

Well, I make a lot of International calls to Europe & with broadvoice I don't have to pay extra to call those countries, they r included in my plan. I never had a problem with the service & customer service was quick when I did call them once to get credit for a referral.

[kumar]

you could just screw voip....if you have tmobile....get myfavs for $10 a month more...then just get a grand central number....make one of the favs ur grand central number...then set grandcentral to send the grandcentral number as caller id...and enjoy unlimited incomming!!

[testing123]

you could just screw voip....if you have tmobile....get myfavs for $10 a month more...then just get a grand central number....make one of the favs ur grand central number...then set grandcentral to send the grandcentral number as caller id...and enjoy unlimited incomming!!

Aye, but kumar, there's the rub ... I don't believe you should rely on ANY one provider -- call me a "Disaster Recovery" or "Business Continuity" idiot (I won't mind).

Cellular:
1) Has spotty coverage areas (depending on where you live)
2) Won't accomadate FAXing (with any uniformity)
3) May not be as secure (i.e., to do your private/banking business, etc.) ... (I might be reaching on this one when talking about voip vs. cell)
4) Zaps your head w/ radiation as you talk -- hey, I might as well consider everything

Not voting it down, I just don't think I can rely on a single provider -- GC has the right idea ... have your # ring a bunch of different devices and you determine which you want use to answer the call.

And I like your idea of "Favs" / "Friends & Family" , etc. to get "free" Calls -- remember I posted this before: Unlimited Anytime Minutes

So far MJ has let me down enough where I KNOW I can't get rid of my other "expensive" VOIP vendor ... yet

And, for now, I am OK with that; it is, in fact, still Beta isn't it? But that Beta excuse is starting to wear a bit thin ...

MagicJack, are you listening???

[kumar]

you could just screw voip....if you have tmobile....get myfavs for $10 a month more...then just get a grand central number....make one of the favs ur grand central number...then set grandcentral to send the grandcentral number as caller id...and enjoy unlimited incomming!!

Aye, but kumar, there's the rub ... I don't believe you should rely on ANY one provider -- call me a "Disaster Recovery" or "Business Continuity" idiot (I won't mind).

Cellular:
1) Has spotty coverage areas (depending on where you live)
2) Won't accomadate FAXing (with any uniformity)
3) May not be as secure (i.e., to do your private/banking business, etc.) ... (I might be reaching on this one when talking about voip vs. cell)
4) Zaps your head w/ radiation as you talk -- hey, I might as well consider everything

Not voting it down, I just don't think I can rely on a single provider -- GC has the right idea ... have your # ring a bunch of different devices and you determine which you want use to answer the call.

And I like your idea of "Favs" / "Friends & Family" , etc. to get "free" Calls -- remember I posted this before: Unlimited Anytime Minutes

So far MJ has let me down enough where I KNOW I can't get rid of my other "expensive" VOIP vendor ... yet

And, for now, I am OK with that; it is, in fact, still Beta isn't it? But that Beta excuse is starting to wear a bit thin ...

MagicJack, are you listening???

OK, I understand, then let me bring out the SOLID VOIP providers....the ones you can reallly rely on not free....but like Sunrocket

-Lingo
-Via Talk (I know what some of you are thinking, Via Talk? you mean that s**t i signed up for after sunrocket left? NO WAY!! Well they were just overwheled with the Sunrocket load so the CS sucked then...now it should be ok to sign up for)
-Packet8

[testing123]

OK, I will try to update my original post tonight with your suggestions as well as some others that have come in in the last few days.

you could just screw voip....if you have tmobile....get myfavs for $10 a month more...then just get a grand central number....make one of the favs ur grand central number...then set grandcentral to send the grandcentral number as caller id...and enjoy unlimited incomming!!

Aye, but kumar, there's the rub ... I don't believe you should rely on ANY one provider -- call me a "Disaster Recovery" or "Business Continuity" idiot (I won't mind).

Cellular:
1) Has spotty coverage areas (depending on where you live)
2) Won't accomadate FAXing (with any uniformity)
3) May not be as secure (i.e., to do your private/banking business, etc.) ... (I might be reaching on this one when talking about voip vs. cell)
4) Zaps your head w/ radiation as you talk -- hey, I might as well consider everything

Not voting it down, I just don't think I can rely on a single provider -- GC has the right idea ... have your # ring a bunch of different devices and you determine which you want use to answer the call.

And I like your idea of "Favs" / "Friends & Family" , etc. to get "free" Calls -- remember I posted this before: Unlimited Anytime Minutes

So far MJ has let me down enough where I KNOW I can't get rid of my other "expensive" VOIP vendor ... yet

And, for now, I am OK with that; it is, in fact, still Beta isn't it? But that Beta excuse is starting to wear a bit thin ...

MagicJack, are you listening???

OK, I understand, then let me bring out the SOLID VOIP providers....the ones you can reallly rely on not free....but like Sunrocket

-Lingo
-Via Talk (I know what some of you are thinking, Via Talk? you mean that s**t i signed up for after sunrocket left? NO WAY!! Well they were just overwheled with the Sunrocket load so the CS sucked then...now it should be ok to sign up for)
-Packet8

[SpamBox]

if you have tmobile....get myfavs for $10 a month more...then just get a grand central number....make one of the favs ur grand central number...then set grandcentral to send the grandcentral number as caller id...and enjoy unlimited incomming!!

Could explain a little more how this works?
I have tmobile but not myfavs.
If I understand correctly myfavs allows me to call those myfav people for unlimited (outgoing), is that the same for incoming from those myfav numbers too?
And then are you using GC's webcall feature to place the call to the person you are trying to reach, and also just giving out the GC number so when people call you it goes through GC shows on your cell's caller id as GC which is in your myfavs so it's free incoming?
Actually I think i understand now what you're talking about! Hahaha! But please correct me if I'm miss understanding anything. Also will GC still announce who's calling you so at least you have some sort of "caller id"

[testing123]

if you have tmobile....get myfavs for $10 a month more...then just get a grand central number....make one of the favs ur grand central number...then set grandcentral to send the grandcentral number as caller id...and enjoy unlimited incomming!!

Could explain a little more how this works?
I have tmobile but not myfavs.
If I understand correctly myfavs allows me to call those myfav people for unlimited (outgoing), is that the same for incoming from those myfav numbers too?
And then are you using GC's webcall feature to place the call to the person you are trying to reach, and also just giving out the GC number so when people call you it goes through GC shows on your cell's caller id as GC which is in your myfavs so it's free incoming?
Actually I think i understand now what you're talking about! Hahaha! But please correct me if I'm miss understanding anything. Also will GC still announce who's calling you so at least you have some sort of "caller id"

Yes, GC will still "Announce", in fact that is the only way you will know ahead of time WHO is calling you (b/c all calls Caller ID will now come FROM GC).

Most Cell providers have this "Fav"/Friends&Family type option.
SprintPCS, for example seems to have an "undocumented" option to add ANY # into your plan - a "Home" # - for approx $8 USD/mo that will have unlimited Inbound/Outbound minutes. You could therefore add GC as this # and voila, you are set.

Caveat: Remember though, it may STILL be more cost effective for those who share your Cell Provider to call your Cell directly rather than GC so that THEY don't incur any Anytime minute charges. (i.e., calling your GC, even if in the same Area Code etc. will STILL eat their Anytime minutes during the day; whereas calling you directly on the Cell may not.

In fact, the "Free Anytime Minutes" Proof-Of-Concept is the ultimate exploitation of that little factoid.

[testing123]

Phone Power VOIP suggested here: http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/post1998.html#1998

Will update "Master List" in first post later.

[testing123]

Posted here by "Digitalnomad": http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/post ... ote&p=2082

To Send a Fax: FaxZero.com or FaxFree.com

To Receive a Fax: JConnect.com

[testing123]

Updated list in the 1st post. If you have any other recommendations (and the requested detail) please contribute.

[earache]

I know they've been mentioned earlier but I've been using Broadvoice since the demise of Sunrocket. The number transfer was a bit tedious and lengthy. The start-up fee sucked. But ever since then the service has been flawless and call quality is great. I have the unlimited world plan with one additional number (rings at same location) and I pay a grand total of $27.37 a month including all extraneous fees. That's pretty good if you compare Vonage and some of the other big players. The biggest con I've found that I really miss with Sunrocket is they don't have selective call blocking by phone number, and sometimes anonymous calls still ring the phone and show up as "blocked call" in CID...pretty pointless blocking. I've had two MJ's for about 5 months now and service has been a roller coaster ride, but as of late they appear to be more stable/reliable. I'm impatiently waiting for the day when everything settles down, number portability is available and can drop Broadvoice and use MJ and cellular exclusively. I already have the dedicated PC for it and a place to put it near the DEMARC. [taps fingers]

[digitalnomad]

Ha ha. That's great. I think someday we will all have an old computer we can load up with Asterisk and have our own private networks.

[testing123]

Ha ha. That's great. I think someday we will all have an old computer we can load up with Asterisk and have our own private networks.

Well w/ the way technology is going, it may not even be an old computer but maybe an entire EMBEDDED computer the size of our current flash drives that performs the "telco-in-a-box" functionality ... sort of what MJ aspires to be when it grows up? (maybe or maybe not).

There are already some interesting TINY devices: gumstix, yoggie pico, tiny linux gadget protects XP.

Right now I would just be happy to use Asterisk-at-Home (Trixbox) in a VMware VM OR on a soekris.

So many toys ... so little time (and $$$).

[digitalnomad]

This is a good conversation, but I think you really ought to look more at JAJAH. Also, for VoIP over mobile Truphone and Fring should come on strong as people find out about it.

I see a point in time when all devices will be WiFi enabled, meaning everyone will be on some sort of unlimited data plan. Few people will have analog phones, or even wireless phones connected to POTS.

Just a hunch...I know plenty of people that just use cell phones and do not have a hard line into the house for telephony. Look at the T-Mobile Hotspot@home and you can see what can be done with routers. I think that is where we are headed.

Sprint-Nextel just laid off 4K people and is getting ready to cave. Big changes are taking place in all kinds of mobile and wireless.

For not a lot of money and some time to figure it out, I think more people will start playing around with Asterisk and VPNs. The FCC Auction 73 on 700 MHz next week should give us an idea where we are headed in the US.

If Google can grab some of the C band, we are in for a terrific ride.

[testing123]

Yes, been looking into a BUNCH of these services.

Been wondering WHY I could not update the original post for this thread -- looks like too many characters.

Here is another cool link I found browsing around: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r193661 ... mendations. Would have added it to the OP but can't.

Laserjobs is all over the place

This is a good conversation, but I think you really ought to look more at JAJAH. Also, for VoIP over mobile Truphone and Fring should come on strong as people find out about it.

I see a point in time when all devices will be WiFi enabled, meaning everyone will be on some sort of unlimited data plan. Few people will have analog phones, or even wireless phones connected to POTS.

Just a hunch...I know plenty of people that just use cell phones and do not have a hard line into the house for telephony. Look at the T-Mobile Hotspot@home and you can see what can be done with routers. I think that is where we are headed.

Sprint-Nextel just laid off 4K people and is getting ready to cave. Big changes are taking place in all kinds of mobile and wireless.

For not a lot of money and some time to figure it out, I think more people will start playing around with Asterisk and VPNs. The FCC Auction 73 on 700 MHz next week should give us an idea where we are headed in the US.

If Google can grab some of the C band, we are in for a terrific ride.

[digitalnomad]

That is a good string of comments on that forum topic...keep 'em coming.

[testing123]

Interesting: 100% free calls with Gizmo Project without needing GrandCentral

http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/100- ... -t475.html, Posted by Poo619

(As you probably know, GizmoProject + GC gives you 100% FREE INBOUND Calls w/ US Phone # on a Softphone OR ATA to your house phones already)

[testing123]

Any others?

[jeffnyc]

I am currently trying to get my home number ported to Onesuite. They offer free LNP and unlimited incoming for $3/mo. My plan is to use them for all incoming and mj for all outgoing. Only prob is my port is stalled from Voicestick, I think Onesuite fault. I was intent on leaving Voicestick since they started charging for incoming and adding fees but since Bruce is back improvements are forthcoming, I still prefer Onesuite's unlimited incoming however.

Regarding the T-Mobile myfavs post as well as the link about getting a 2nd cell phone. This is basically the idea, get an ata that supports bridging. The 2nd cell phone idea is not the way to go because you need to have a mobile to landline bridge in your house (i.e. dock and talk). All you need to do is set up your home phone as a my fav with T-Mobile or get Sprint's call home feature ($5 a mo unlimited calls to home). Verizon and ATT dont offer anything similar that Im aware of. Then connect that phone line to the bridge port of your ata. So you need one pots line and one voip line. I am assuming you can do this with 2 voip lines provided they are on different adapters, havent tried it though. Reason is that most adapters that support bridging dont work internally on the 2 lines configured on the adapter but rather require the incoming call to be coming from an external device (pots or 2nd adapter). Thus all your mobile calls to your home will be free and connected via the bridging feature on your voip service.

[testing123]

Bump to see if there are any new developments in the ever-changing voip world.

[testing123]

Jeffnyc or anyone else using OneSuite -- can you use an ATA with them??? It looks like the ATA links are no longer on their site. Thanks

EDIT: ANSWERED! Found these links:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r189047 ... e-with-ata (Good ole Laserjobs )
http://forums.wi-fiplanet.com/showthread.php?t=8920,
http://www.wirelessforums.org/voip/ones ... 29084.html

I think they did remove the ATA links from the site. Hopefully this still works.

I am currently trying to get my home number ported to Onesuite. They offer free LNP and unlimited incoming for $3/mo. My plan is to use them for all incoming and mj for all outgoing. Only prob is my port is stalled from Voicestick, I think Onesuite fault. I was intent on leaving Voicestick since they started charging for incoming and adding fees but since Bruce is back improvements are forthcoming, I still prefer Onesuite's unlimited incoming however.

Regarding the T-Mobile myfavs post as well as the link about getting a 2nd cell phone. This is basically the idea, get an ata that supports bridging. The 2nd cell phone idea is not the way to go because you need to have a mobile to landline bridge in your house (i.e. dock and talk). All you need to do is set up your home phone as a my fav with T-Mobile or get Sprint's call home feature ($5 a mo unlimited calls to home). Verizon and ATT dont offer anything similar that Im aware of. Then connect that phone line to the bridge port of your ata. So you need one pots line and one voip line. I am assuming you can do this with 2 voip lines provided they are on different adapters, havent tried it though. Reason is that most adapters that support bridging dont work internally on the 2 lines configured on the adapter but rather require the incoming call to be coming from an external device (pots or 2nd adapter). Thus all your mobile calls to your home will be free and connected via the bridging feature on your voip service.

[johnatnro]

I signed with voip.com last June. Until the last few months it was excellent, but since then the roof has caved in. Just about any problem that can happen has happened. I called the BBB today and they have a "D" rating; there is only one worse, "F." I picked up ViaTalk for three months and after one month it has worked well. Since everyone has my voip.com number, I forward all voip.com calls to ViaTalk. Obviously I won't renew my voip.com contract. The big question is: "Will ViaTalk be able to continue the good service?"

ViaTalk - A+ today.

[msiam]

In my dealings with voipvoip.com, they were the most fair company I have dealt with in the voip world.. It was a byod situation, that i used, since I was able to unlock the SR InnoMedia. The charge was $7 a month, buying $10 in pre pay minutes in case I was to call out at 1.9c a minute (I felt that was very fair), Incoming was totally free, It took less than 2 weeks to port my number from Teleblend. I used them for about 2 1/2 months under no contract, when I left (Only because I was using MJ I got back the pre pay $10.. They also offer a plan that they will supply the ata (granstream) for $30, if at anytime you want to leave, you keep the ata. I couldn't have stumbled onto another company that fair.. I didn't need their service any longer, I had only gone with them to keep the number, but, I bit the bullet and let my number go with them.. MJ, Gran Central and my T Mobile with HotSpot@home are all I need. If someone can't see using MJ exclusively for a home phone, I believe that voipvoip is the best solution, mainly no contract.. the calls were crystal clear, there are a lot of features that I wish I had on MJ, but I don't really need them.. ..IMHO, voipvoip is very good at a very fair price..

[testing123]

Finally figured out what was preventing me from adding to the original post and this thread: use of veritical line (shift of the "\" key) appears to be a no-no for this forum software now.

I've updated the original post with some new alternatives "Voipvoip" and "Future Nine"; although haven't updated their prices, etc.

[testing123]

Added Yahoo Voice to the list... Stewart thinks their voice quality is superb.

[testing123]

Ah, what the heck ... bump; in case there are any new/worthy players in the field.

Check the Original Post for the list.

[testing123]

Bump for 2009 ... wondering if any new players have entered the game.