topic Re: Need Information about VOIPs in Electronics

Need Information about VOIPs

Kachina624 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 19:36:37 GMT

Several people here have mention having this phone system at a considerable cost savings compared to a tradition land line. I just got a notice from the phone company warning of four new rate increases. Land lines have become prohibitively expensive.

I Googled voip and all I get are services for businesses, nothing for residential users. Can. Someone recommend a residential service?

@SilleeMee Do I recall correctly that you've mentioned this?

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

SilleeMee — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:21:43 GMT

@Kachina624

Yes, I have mentioned using Ooma. I've been with them since 2016. But before you go there, check with your internet service provider and see if they offer voip service. Some do and the service fee is usually very low or even free. Just pay the required FCC tax to use voip service which, for me is about $7 monthly where I pay that directly to Ooma.

To get Ooma you need to purchase their voip modem, about a $70. You can use your old phone number and use your own cordless phone. To keep your old number you'll have to pay a porting fee of $40.

Ooma dot com might be a good place to start.

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

kaydee50 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:07:10 GMT

We dropped our "real" landline (plugs into a jack) when AT&T started charging us $100/month for it. We have VOIP with our cable provider. I have no intention of dropping either cable or our "landline."

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

lovinglife — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:16:46 GMT

We attached an inexpensive tracfone to our "landline" phone (porting our landline #) using Cell2Jack. Cost now is $35 for the unit and whatever cost for the tracfone. No fees until the annual reup for tracfone or adding minutes if needed.

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

Kachina624 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:45:27 GMT

@lovinglife. Do you get your calls on the Tracfone or on a cordless phone? I already have Tracfone. That means unless you carried the Tracfone with you, you'd have no phone by your bed at night.

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

lovinglife — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:57:52 GMT

Calls come thru the cordless phone.

EXTEND CELL PHONE SERVICE TO HOME PHONES: Transform your traditional landline into a smart communication hub. The CELL2JACK cellphone to home phone adapter allows you to use your existing home phones to make and receive mobile calls and access Siri or Google Assistant, all without needing a new phone setup. This Bluetooth landline adapter is ideal for both corded and cordless models, including rotary and senior-friendly phones with big buttons.

SIMPLE SETUP PROCESS: Setting up CELL2JACK cellular to landline adapter is quick and hassle-free. Simply connect your home phone to the adapter's phone port, link the adapter to your cell phone via Bluetooth, and start communicating. The cell phone to Landline Bridge also offers an optional feature to charge your cellphone through its 5V out port, ensuring that your mobile device remains charged and ready to handle all your needs.

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

Kachina624 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:49:06 GMT

@SilleeMee. My internet ISP and is the same as my phone company, Century Link, so I doubt they'd eagerly sell another phone service. lol.

I'm reading about Ooma.

Thanks for your response.

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

Kachina624 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:51:42 GMT

@lovinglife. Thanks for the information.

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

Kachina624 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:53:35 GMT

@kaydee50. Thanks anyway but I don't have cable.

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

Nightowlz — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 21:12:23 GMT

@Kachina624

Found this online. It should help. I have used a Magicjack before. Unless it has got better I don't recommend it.

I read about Ooma long ago so know it's been around.

Not sure how long the others have been around.

Detailed look at 12 of the top VoIP providers for your home

1. Ooma

Founded in 2004, Ooma provides affordable home phone and business phone services using high-speed internet, all delivered through a smart, cloud-based software service platform.

Popular features

Free U.S. Calling: Call any numbers in the U.S.
Ooma Home Phone app: Make calls from your home phone number and check your voicemail when you’re on the go.
Free Ooma-to-Ooma Calling: Call another Ooma customer anywhere in the world, at no cost.
Online Call Log: Check your calling history from any internet-connected computer or mobile device.
Answering Machine Functionality: Playback messages with one touch, plus enjoy the options of forwarding, reversing and deleting messages.
Expanded Call Blocking*: Select from three pre-configured protection settings or build your own customized call blocking profile.
Do Not Disturb*: Get peace and quiet whenever you want by having all of your calls roll into voicemail without ringing.
Private Device*: Set aside one or more of your phones as a dedicated line that will only ring when a particular phone number is dialed.
Backup Number*: Automatically forward calls to another phone number if your internet or power goes down.

*Only with Ooma Premier.

Plans and pricing

Ooma Basic

Ooma Premier

$0 per month plus applicable monthly taxes and fees

$9.99 per month plus applicable monthly taxes and fees

• Unlimited U.S. calling

• Ooma Mobile app for iOS and Android

• Equipment not included

• Free shipping

• Risk-free 30-day return

• Unlimited U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico calling

• 25+ Premier features, such as advanced call blocking and a free second number

• Ooma Mobile app for iOS and Android

• Equipment not included

• Free shipping

• Risk-free 30-day return

Ooma also offers low per-minute international calling rates, as well as monthly international calling add-on plans.

2. 1-VoIP

Founded in 2005 by owners who over 40 years of experience in the telecom industry, 1-VoIP is a company that specializes in providing business VoIP, SIP Trunking and residential VoIP services.

Popular features

Voicemail to Email: Access your voicemails via email attachment.
Virtual Fax: Send PDF documents digitally as faxes from the 1-VoIP member center.
Whitelist & Blacklist: Control your own accessibility from callers. Designate whether certain callers are blocked or allowed to ring through to you.
Digital Call Forward: Control your forwarded calls by deciding if you want them to forward to other phones in a certain order or to ring all of the other forward phones simultaneously.
Anonymous Call Reject: Automatically rejects calls from “anonymous” phone numbers.
Digital Softphone: Use the 1-VoIP softphone app from your iOS or Android-based device to access your 1-VoIP service when you’re away from home. Make and receive phone calls, as well as send and receive text messages and pictures over your 1-VoIP account.
Music on Hold: Give your callers music to listen to while they’re on hold.

Plans and pricing

Value

US & Canada Unlimited

World Unlimited

$8.97 per month

$17.97 per month

$23.97 per month

• Unlimited incoming minutes

• 500 minutes of calling to North America

• Premium features

• Hardware included

• No term commitment

• All the features of Value

• Unlimited calls to North America

• Free shipping

• All the features of US & Canada Unlimited

• Unlimited calls to 30 countries

3. AXvoice

Founded in 2005, AXvoice is a budget VoIP phone service that’s headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The company offers residential plans, international plans and business plans, as well as a diverse range of payment options.

Popular features

Caller ID With Name: Get the name and number ID of incoming calls.
Enhanced Voicemail: Manage your voicemail via email or the web.
Call Forwarding: Redirect calls to pre-specified numbers in the order you specify.
Simultaneous Ring: Set up so incoming calls ring up to three different numbers at the same time.
Failover: Redirect VoIP calls to another number during an ISP outage.
Do Not Disturb: Turn on to reject calls when you don’t want to get them.
Online Account Management: Manage your VoIP account via the AXvoice Dashboard.

Plans and pricing

Home Phone Service USA/Canada

USA/Canada 200

Pay as You Go

Residential International

Residential International Plus

Blow Out Deal: $99 per year with prepaid one-year contract

Monthly Plan: $14.99 per month

Flexible Yearly Plan: $10.99 per month with one-year contract

Yearly Promotion: $5.99 per month with one-year contract

Monthly Plan: $9.99 per month

$4.99 per month

$0.015 per minute to call anywhere in the U.S. and Canada

Blow Out Deal: $199 per year with prepaid one-year contract

Monthly Plan: $24.99 per month

Flexible Yearly Plan: $19.99 per month with one-year contract

$29.99 per month

• Unlimited calls to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada

• Unlimited outgoing minutes

• Free equipment

• 15-day money-back guarantee

• 200 outgoing and call forwarding minutes to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada; additional minutes are $0.015 per minute

• Free unlimited incoming calls

• Free equipment

• 15-day money-back guarantee

• Free unlimited incoming calls

• Free equipment

• 15-day money-back guarantee

• Unlimited VoIP calling to 45+ international destinations, including the U.S. and Canada

• Free equipment

• 15-day money-back guarantee

• Unlimited VoIP calling to 60+ international destinations, including the U.S. and Canada

• Free equipment

• 15-day money-back guarantee

4. Callcentric

Callcentric is a bring-your-own-device phone company with more than 15 years of experience. Its services work with everything from home phones to mobile devices to IP PBX systems. The VoIP provider has a customizable pricing model, with inbound and outbound services sold separately and month-to-month contracts.

Popular features

4-Way Calling: Place calls to 3 other numbers at the same time.
Call Treatments: Create rules to manage how incoming calls are handled, such as forwarding calls to another Callcentric number or using the simultaneous ringing or call hunting
Conference Room: Set up a conference room with a single click and no limit to the number of participants.
Do Not Disturb: Have all incoming calls receive an error message that says you are currently unavailable or, if you subscribe to voicemail, go directly to your voicemail.
Telemarketer Block: Dramatically reduce and potentially eliminate unwanted telemarketing and robocalls by requiring unknown callers to press a specific key to complete their call.
Travel worldwide with your phone: Take your analog telephone adapter r use the software on a computer anywhere there is a broadband internet connection.
Advanced Voicemail: Configure your own personalized greeting and access your messages via calling your line, your customer portal or email forwarding.

Plans and pricing

Callcentric operates on a bring-your-own-device model with inbound and outbound services sold separately. This allows you to customize every line you purchase with month-to-month plans and no long-term contracts.

Outbound Plans
IP Freedom	Pay Per Call	North America	World Select Residential
Free	Per-minute rates depending on locations	*Basic (120 outbound minutes)*: $1.95 per month *500 minutes*: $6.95 per month *1,000 minutes*: $12.95 per month *Residential (Unlimited minutes)*: $19.95 per month	$29.95 per month
• Unlimited free in-network calling to Callcentric customers and other VoIP networks	• Per-minute rates on the calls you make worldwide	• Enhanced 911 • Selected minutes to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico • International calls at per-minute rates	• Enhanced 911 • Unlimited residential calling to 35+ countries

Inbound Plans
Dollar Unlimited Phone Number	Pay Per Minute Phone Number	North America Toll-Free Number	Personal Unlimited	International Unlimited
$1 per month	$1.95 per month and $0.015 per minute	$3.95 per month	$5.95 per month	Varies by country
• Unlimited incoming minutes • Includes two inbound channels • Only available in the most popular rate centers in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Illinois, with additional coverage coming soon • For residential customers only	• Includes three inbound channels • Available in 48 U.S. states and Canada	• Price per minute varies by location • Includes three inbound channels • Available in the U.S. and Canada	• Unlimited incoming minutes • Includes two inbound channels • Available in 48 U.S. states and Canada	• Unlimited incoming minutes • Includes two inbound channels • Available for outside the U.S. and Canada in over 50 countries

5. Google Voice

Google Voice is a communications service that was launched by Google in 2009. It allows users to obtain a unique phone number and make calls, send texts and receive voicemails through the web and the Google Voice mobile app (available for iOS and Android). Features vary depending on whether you have a business or personal account.

Personal account features

Call Forwarding: You can forward calls to your linked numbers.
Searchable History: All of your call logs, text messages and voicemails are stored and backed up so it’s easy for you to search your history.
Text Messaging: Send text messages at no charge to U.S. and Canadian numbers. Receive text messages from anywhere in the world.
Voicemail Transcription: Have your voicemails transcribed for easy-reading and even forward your voicemail transcripts to your gmail.

Plans and pricing

Google Voice for Personal Use

Free with a personal Google Account

• A U.S. phone number to receive calls, texts and voicemails from your web browser or the Google Voice mobile app

• Unlimited calling and texting to the U.S. and Canada*

• International calling available at listed rates

*Some calls to specific numbers in the U.S. and Canada cost $0.01 per minute.

6. magicJack

magicJack is a telecommunications company that has been providing VoIP services since 2007. Its magicJack device allows users to receive and make unlimited internet calls from the U.S. and Canada using their computer or regular telephone.

Popular features

Call Blocking: Block up to 99 phone numbers. Blocked numbers will receive a busy signal and your phone won’t ring.
Automated Call Screening: When this feature is on, all non-magicJack callers will be asked to dial a random one digit number, effectively filtering out automated calls.
Advanced Voicemail: Access your voicemail via any phone, your softphone and the magicApp or receive them as audio attachments to your email.
Conference Calling: Set up a pin-protected conference call with a quick call. You can also request a Pinless Conference number; the first is free and available for 30 days. Additional Pinless Conference numbers are available for $10 + fees.

Plans and pricing

magicJack VoIP Service: 1-Year Plan

1-Year Renewal Plan for Existing Customers

3-Year Renewal Plan for Existing Customers

5-Year Renewal Plan for Existing Customers

$49.99 + taxes & fees

$43 + taxes & fees

$99 + taxes & fees

$130 + taxes & fees

• magicJack device included

• Unlimited calling from the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

• Mobile app

• Free magicJack-to-magicJack calling worldwide

• Keep your existing number for $19.95 one-time fee or get a free U.S. phone number*

• 911 service

• Unlimited calling from the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

• Mobile app

• Free magicJack-to-magicJack calling worldwide

• 911 service

• Unlimited calling from the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

• Mobile app

• Free magicJack-to-magicJack calling worldwide

• 911 service

• Unlimited calling from the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

• Mobile app

• Free magicJack-to-magicJack calling worldwide

• 911 service

To make international calls, you must purchase international prepaid credits.

7. PhonePower

PhonePower is a VoIP service provider headquartered in Northridge, California, that offers single-line residential and small business service packages, as well as large corporate call centers, in the continental U.S.

Popular features

Incoming Call Routing: Route calls to specific destinations.
Block List: Block calls from specified numbers and either forward directly to voicemail or set it so that the caller hears a busy signal.
Failsafe: Forward your calls to another number during an internet or power outage.
Simultaneous Ring: Set up multiple devices to ring at once so callers can reach you even when you’re not home.
Voicemail: Check voicemail from missed or screened calls the way you prefer: by phone, website or email.
Do Not Disturb: Forward all calls to voicemail when you want some quiet time.
3-Way Conference Calling: Call two other people at the same time.

Plans and pricing

USA/Canada Unlimited Calling

Unlimited World

Unlimited World Plus

Unlimited World Premium

1-Year Prepay: $99.95 per year

1-Year Contract: $9.95 per month

No Contract: $19.95 per month

$19.95 per month, no contract

$24.95 per month, no contract

$49.95 per month,

no contract

• Unlimited calling: U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

• 60 minutes of free international calling each month to 50+ countries

• No phone number transfer fee

• 30-day money back guarantee

• Mobile phone app

• No activation fee

• Cloned second line

• Unlimited calling: U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

• Unlimited international calling: 28 countries

• No phone number transfer fee

• 30-day money back guarantee

• Mobile phone app

• No activation fee

• Cloned second line

• Unlimited calling: U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

• Unlimited international calling: 75 countries

• No phone number transfer fee

• 30-day money back guarantee

• Mobile phone app

• No activation fee

• Cloned second line

• Unlimited calling: U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

• Unlimited international calling: 87 countries

• No phone number transfer fee

• 30-day money back guarantee

• Mobile phone app

• No activation fee

• Cloned second line

8. ViaTalk

ViaTalk is a company based in Clifton Park, New York that provides both residential and business VoIP service that includes more than 40 calling features with each plan.

Popular features

Enhanced Voicemail:
Incoming Call Routing: Route calls to another number, a busy signal, a recorded message, a prompt to enter an authentication code or have them sent directly to voicemail, based on either the caller’s phone number or caller ID name.
Network Unavailable Forward: Forward calls to your mobile phone or any other number in case of an ISP or power outage at your home.
Call Recording: Set up so your outgoing calls are recorded and delivered to your phone as voicemail.
3-Way Calling: Call two other people so all three of you can talk at the same time.
Call Broadcasting: Relay information quickly and reliably to a group of people by recording a message and sending it to all your contacts at once.
ViaTalk On-The-GO: Bring your adapter with you when traveling and use your home phone anywhere you can get high-speed internet access.

Plans and pricing

VT_Unlimited

$15.75 per month

prepay $189 for two years

• Unlimited minutes in the U.S. and Canada

• Two lines

• Equipment included or you can bring your own device

• 60 minutes of international calling to more than 60 countries each month

9. VoIP.ms

Founded in 2007, VoIP.ms is a Montreal-based VoIP company that caters to the needs of both individuals and businesses with its vast range of standard telephony features and flexible pricing options.

Popular features

Voicemail: The voicemail feature includes custom greetings, as well as an option to forward your messages to your email address as an attachment.
Call Forwarding: Automatically redirect incoming calls to any phone number of your choice around the world whether it’s a mobile phone, a landline or a computer.
Phonebook: Create unique groups that fit your needs (for example, family, work or friends) and configure up to 99 speed dial entries.
3-Way Calling: Talk with two people at the same time.
Self-Serve Portal: Make any change to your features and options almost immediately through the customer portal.
Blacklist Numbers: Prevent unwanted callers from reaching you and block calls from specific numbers or even whole area codes.
Free Calls Between Customers: Calls placed from VoIP.ms Customers to VoIP.ms numbers are always free, no matter where you are.

Pricing

VoIP.ms offers a fully pay-as-you-go service, with no long-term contracts. Rates vary depending on the country you make and receive calls in. For example, the rates for the U.S. are as below:

United States

Each local number (DID) is $0.85 per month.
Make calls starting at $0.01 per minute
Receive calls starting at $0.009 per minute
Call recording is $0.0025 per minute
Call transcriptions are $0.05 per minute
Voicemail transcriptions are $0.05 per minute
Virtual faxing is $1.99 per month per local number and start at $0.029 per minute to send or receive

See a full list of services and pricing here.

10. Voiply

Voiply was founded in 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a leading VoIP provider of residential phone, business phone, online fax and number parking services.

Popular features

Voicemail to Email: Receive transcriptions and recordings of voicemails by email.
Caller ID & Caller ID Name: See the caller ID and name information for incoming calls.
3-Way Calling: Seamless 3-way calling for enhanced collaboration.
Simultaneous Ring: Ring multiple devices simultaneously for increased availability.
24/7 Support: Get round-the-clock support for any issues with your phone service.

Plans and pricing

VoIP Home Phone Service

$8.95 per month

• Unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada and landlines in 50+ countries

• One Voiply adapter included

• Plug-and-play setup

• Ability to keep your existing number

• 20+ features included

11. VOIPo

VOIPo is a U.S. VoIP service provider that was founded in 2006. The company offers various services including small business VoIP, residential VoIP, cloud VoIP, reseller VoIP and hosted PBX.

Popular features

Call Forwarding: Instantly forward all calls to an alternative phone number of your choice or forward calls based on custom pre-defined criteria with Custom Inbound Call Routing.
Call Blocking: Block calls based on your own unique criteria. Add specific numbers to block or create your own custom rules.
Do Not Disturb: Forward all calls to either voicemail or a busy tone when you turn DND on.
Unlimited Speed Dial: Create as many speed dial codes as you like.
Advanced Voicemail Tools: In addition to checking messages over the phone, you can view voicemails online, have them emailed and even get text notifications.
Virtual Numbers: Generate unique virtual phone numbers that ring through to the same line as your primary VOIPo number (incoming only).
Simultaneous Ring: Set up so an additional external number, such as your mobile or work number, rings at the same time as your VOIPo line.

Plans and pricing

Home VoIP Phone Service

$15 per month or $149 with two-year prepaid plan

• Unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada

• 60 minutes of free international calls each month to selected destinations

• Free rollover line

• Free VoIP adapter lease

• Free shipping and activation

• 30-day money back guarantee

12. Vonage

Vonage is a long-established player in the telecommunications industry with over 20 years of experience delivering VoIP phone service to both residential and business customers.

Popular features

Vonage® Extensions® App: Take your Vonage number anywhere you use your smartphone.
Toll-Free Plus®: Let others call you at no charge to them. (Additional fee for the toll-free number applies.)
Vonage Voicemail Plus: Listen to your messages or get them delivered to your email.
Vonage® boomerang™: Whenever a selected contact calls from an international number, Vonage answers and asks that they hang up. Once they do, you’re both connected automatically with your Vonage number at no charge to them.
Vonage® SimulRing®: Ring up to five additional devices at the same time so you’ll be sure to catch critical calls.
Enhanced Call Forwarding: Answer home phone calls no matter where you are by forwarding calls to any number—even a mobile.
Call Filter: Control your privacy by filtering unwanted calls.

Plans and pricing

North America Domestic Plan

World Prime International Plan

$9.99 per month, no annual contract

$14.99 per month, no annual contract

• Unlimited calls to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico

• Per-minute rates to all other international locations

• Shipping and activation included

• 30-day money-back guarantee

• Unlimited calls to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico

• Unlimited international calling to over 60 countries, 20+ including mobile numbers and per-minute rates for all other calling

• Shipping and activation included

• 30-day money-back guarantee

Re: Need Information about VOIPs

Kachina624 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 21:26:15 GMT

@Nightowlz. That's very helpful, thanks.