Internet phone services

[Stuart and Thea 95]

Before I moved, one of the IT guys suggested that I get internet service for my home phone, he told me about one that cost 6$ a month per line, but it came with a hefty price tag for the phone of over 200$ and I couldn't swing it at the time. I know it was a much better deal than vonage, and had planned on getting a line for this area code, and one for back home, so that no one would ever need to make a long distance call to talk to me. Problem is, I can't remember the name of the company he suggested, and there's way too much info on here, and a ton too many are Vonage. Anyone with suggestions please weigh in!

[reymets10 5]

I use Magic Jack. Free calls to US and Canada and only like $50 for the entire year. Plug one end into your computer, let the software install, then plug the other end into any phone and you are set to go!

When I visit my fiancee in Ottawa I take the USB part with me and plug it into my laptop and I have even plugged the hotel phone into it and I was able to call the USA no problem. I have even heard of people taking it with them on trips to Asia/Europe and having it work no problem. I cannot attest to that, but it did work in Ottawa. To be fair, sometimes the quality is poor and I have to hang up and call again. But for the price it is amazing in my opinion.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

Another vote for magic jack. You can make the number whatever area code you want, that way it won't be a long distance call for friends/family in Canada, but your phone rings at your house

[Flames9_RN 358]

We have ooma here in Nicaragua and it works very well! One pays more upfront for it ($170 at costco)But then each month ur only paying the taxes on it--Something like $3.40. But it does cost extra to call Canada, unless u have the premier plan. But their minute is super cheap! And the min never expire! $10 will prob last me 6 months! In the long run it was cheaper than Vonage! But awhile back their were rumors Ooma was going to bite the dust, ouch, but so far so good

[Stuart and Thea 95]

So for Magic Jack, I'd just need two of them? One for Branson, and one for Kitchener? I've heard that it's sometimes hard to get the area code you want from them, is that not true? I'll look into it for sure!

Edited December 3, 2011 by Stuart and Thea

[reymets10 5]

I didn't have a problem getting the area code I wanted, but it is a US area code. I never tried to get a Canadian area code so I don't know if that is possible. You may need to assign a US phone number to each Magic Jack. I heard of sons/daughters buying Magic Jack and sending it to family overseas so they can call the US for no additional fees, but it has a US area code. I do not know if Canada will be different.

[SuperDuper! 230]

We use skype for free, from home, or from iPhone.

And on minor occasion, use their paid phone service just for a minute or two when there is not a wifi connection available on one end or another, but wifi is so prevalent these days.

Then, use chikka.com for cheap, cheap int'l texting.

Hey, if it's free, it's for me!

[Canadiandggal 49]

We use skype for free, from home, or from iPhone.

And on minor occasion, use their paid phone service just for a minute or two when there is not a wifi connection available on one end or another, but wifi is so prevalent these days.

Then, use chikka.com for cheap, cheap int'l texting.

Hey, if it's free, it's for me!

we have magicjack as well. We have used it for the past two years and before that we used vonage.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

We use Vonage - for about $42.50/month (that's our whole bill incl taxes) we have a local number here in VA and a 519 number for the KW folks in Ontario. We have unlimited long distance within North America which is all we care about and we're very happy with it. Everyone back home can call me for free which they love and it encourages them to call that much more. Sure beats Bell Canada's ####### service back home that was so expensive.

[Flames9_RN 358]

We use Vonage - for about $42.50/month (that's our whole bill incl taxes) we have a local number here in VA and a 519 number for the KW folks in Ontario. We have unlimited long distance within North America which is all we care about and we're very happy with it. Everyone back home can call me for free which they love and it encourages them to call that much more. Sure beats Bell Canada's ####### service back home that was so expensive.

In this case--Ooma would be a far better option! After a few months, you would be saving a lot of $$$$ Just saying,lol Of course that MagicJack may be good as well. I just know a few that have had issues with it.

[Kimbear 53]

I"ve never used any of those, i just use google talk and as long as the chat program is open on both pcs you just click call. Worked for us and still does no matter where we are. You can also hook up a webcam to it and have a video conference call etc. Its a bit similar to skype i guess.

[SF2007 48]

I use Vonage too (World Plan: unlimited calls to 60 countries, $35/month). Just got it 2 months ago. You can keep your phone number or choose a new one in your area code and travel with your adapter. It comes with voice mail and a couple other cool features. Best part is: it's paid by work

Before that I used a calling card.

[Stuart and Thea 95]

My son is only 12, and his friends are not allowed to call long distance, so having a 519 or 226 area code is a must. I already use facebook video chat, but he's not old enough for it yet, and neither are his friends! Still looking at magic jack, though I've seen problems with it as well. Still need to do some more research, that ooma looks interesting..

[Darnell 8,479]

Before I moved, one of the IT guys suggested that I get internet service for my home phone, he told me about one that cost 6$ a month per line, but it came with a hefty price tag for the phone of over 200$ and I couldn't swing it at the time. I know it was a much better deal than vonage, and had planned on getting a line for this area code, and one for back home, so that no one would ever need to make a long distance call to talk to me. Problem is, I can't remember the name of the company he suggested, and there's way too much info on here, and a ton too many are Vonage. Anyone with suggestions please weigh in!

Can you contact 'that' IT guy, pick his brain again, with pen/paper in hand? IMO, that'd be best.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

Keep in mind one issue with using VOIP services, is if you have an internet provider that has a limit on how much internet you can use a month. VOIP sucks a lot of bandwidth.

A lot of cable and fiber optic companies now offer packages with the phone included and it doesn't count against your bandwidth usage.

It still doesn't solve your problem with needing away for your Canadian family to call you on the cheap. My uncle has Ooma and has been using it for years. He said the only issue he's ever had; his fax machine doesn't like it.