VOIP
 

Who has it?

I'm getting ready to set up the phone/cable/internet for my new apartment and have been looking into VOIP.

Is it possible to hook it up to the existing wired phone system? Or do you have to basically just hook one phone into the VOIP box? Also, what are good companies, and what should I expect to pay for setup and service?

What is it?

Voice over IP. It's a substitute for a regular phone service. It works like regular phone service, but is hooked up through the internet. Or at least that's my understanding of it.

From what I've seen, it's also a lot more economical.

I don't know how I feel about this. My husband (ever the techy) has been looking into it as well.

I would have to see a demo of it first before I committed. Remember those netphones or whatever where you can call anywhere for free? The sound quality of those were terrible. And there was the tiniest bit of delay. I'm sure this new technology is better, but still, I'd have to see it in action before I made a decision.

ETA: realized I didn't answer a single question from the original post. I have no idea what the costs are that are involved w/ it. As I said, my husband was looking into it, but we ended up just switching over to DSL (as opposed to RR) and he hasn't said anything about it in like 2 weeks. From what I understand, you hook the phone into the computer, as is the box.

I have it. :)

I didn't like it at first, but I've really grown to love it. We use packet 8 and it only costs us 19.95 a month. The quality of the calls is as good as the quality we got from Bellsouth, and they frequently put out new firmware (which is free) to improve on the quality.

How does it interface with your old telco box? I'm wondering if I can get it in my apartment.

We don't use the old phone stuff at all. Mr. BetaRose is the technogeek, so he would know more details than I, but I can tell you what I know. We have 2 phones, and both run on the packet 8. Neither are plugged into the regular phone jacks. There is a little box that runs them that sits on his desk in the computer room, and I think its plugged into the router. Any more details than that I'll have to wait until he gets off work and ask him about them. :)

Cool... also ask him what the handsets cost. I'm really interested in this stuff. Thanks.

The handsets are just regular cordless phones.

My dad has it says he loves it. He travels alot on busines and can take his little router with him and stuff. He joined the business cuz he thought he could make some money.

If you wanna get this package AND help him out click here http://championcommunications.biz/1000175/

Here are the costs:

$79 for a portable router to share the internet connection with your existing modem. You can take the router and the equipment on business or vacations and what not. Once your router is configured you will be able to get calls anywhere you can get internet service.

$30 Activation Fee

$55 for Internet Access Device. This is what you plug your regular phone into.

$39 per month for Unlimited Long Distance and Local within US, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Call Blocking, Three Way Calling.

or

$160 for a bundle that includes the router, the access device, Activation and First Month's service.

$39 per month thereafter.

Read more about it here. The above is the Gold Package. http://championcommunications.biz/1000175/