The Internet-Connected Home Phone (VoIP)

► Pros & Cons of Internet-Connected Phones

This is one your your lowest-cost alternatives for your Home Phone. A box or plug that connects to your router or computer can link you to worldwide telephone service at a very low cost and in some cases, no monthly cost. Keep in mind there is a big difference in where you plug in your VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) unit.  If you can plug it directly in to your home Internet router, it should be active at all times. If you choose to plug it in to a computer, that computer must be turned on and "awake" for your home phone to work.
 
Charges for VoIP or Internet-connected phone services range from FREE to $30 per month, but there are normally taxes and fees that are added by local governments.

Don't confuse Internet-connected phone service with the regulated phone service provided by cable companies.  The difference in cost is significant and can be determined by where you plug in your adapter.

• VOIPLY
  
• Friendly Customer Service
• Local Numbers
• Mobile App (Voiply.Online)
• Online Ordering
• Unlimited calls to 50+ countries
• 99.999% Uptime
• Voice mail to Email
• Free Number Porting
• HD Voice
• Caller ID
• 24/7 Support
• Call Waiting
• Fax to Email
• E911
• Plug & Play
• No Setup Fees
• Lowest Cost Plan: $14.22/mo. (Including Tax)

• MAGIC JACK
  
• UNLIMITED LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE CALLING, to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. with a 1 year warrantee.
• NO MONTHLY BILLS: 12 months of service and Caller ID, Voice mail, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding and Conference Calling, all included for FREE for a year with no hidden fees, then $43 per year or less with a multi-year subscription.
• EASY TO SET UP: Use with or without a computer, simply connect your magicJackGO to your existing high speed Internet and any cordless or Landline home phone. Includes Power adapter, Ethernet cord, USB extension cord and step-by-step instructions.
• DOWNLOAD THE COMPANION APP, and make Unlimited local & long distance calls to the U.S. and Canada from your smartphone. Assign your magic Jack device number to the magicApp and have your home, business, and your mobile phone ring simultaneously.
• INTERNATIONAL CALLING: When traveling internationally, bring magic Jack with you to make calls back to the US and Canada from virtually anywhere in the world. Call outbound worldwide from the US and Canada and enjoy Magic Jack’s low international rates. You can also make Free unlimited Magic Jack-to-Magic Jack calls worldwide.
  
  

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• SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS
You get FREE Long Distance and all your favorite calling features: Caller ID, Call Waiting, Voice Mail, 3-way Calling, and more, all for the same low monthly price, which could be Zero.


• YOUR HOME PHONE CAN FOLLOW YOU
  It's great for taking it with you on vacation, in the dorm, to your second home, or if you move frequently. As long as you have a place to plug in to the Internet, your VoIP phone should work anywhere in the world
  
  
• YOU CAN USE YOUR OLD PHONE NUMBER...OR NOT
  The switch will be transparent to your friends and family, or you can get a shiny new number.  In some cases it's possible to choose a non-local number.
  
  
• SAFETY
  You are no longer depending on a single wireless phone, or if you have visitors or a baby sitter who may not have reliable service at your home.  The Internet Home Phone can call 911 but you may need to choose where 911 calls are directed.
  
  
• AUDIO QUALITY CAN BE SUPERIOR
  Some VoIP connections provide a very high quality sound that exceeds the best wired landline.
  
  
• YOU HAVE A "HOUSE" PHONE FOR THE FAMILY
  No need to carry your cell phone in your pocket at home. You get a 'dial tone,' which may be a big deal for older relatives or visitors either when using the phone in their home or yours.
  
  
• GET A SECOND LINE FOR THE HOUSE OR FOR A BUSINESS
  It's a very economical way to have a business or special line, a second number, a line for the kids, or just for Voice Mail.

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• EMERGENCY CALLS
  Calls to 911 may not be available without an extra charge and they may not be routed to the same emergency call center as a landline so you will need to provide a detailed description of your situation and location. Expect periodic charges on VoIP services that include E911.
  
  
• THE INTERNET CAN BE A NOISY PLACE
  Internet-connected phone calls can get 'jumbled' in the Internet.  Some connections suffer from echoes, delays and distorted audio. The better VoIP units mitigate these problems.
  
  
• COMPLEX INSTALLATION
  Unless your device is 'consumer-friendly' (like those above), expect some challenges with installation, and some plug-in devices won't work. VoIP phones and connectors may not be compatible with devices that require the exchange of data including fax machines, alarm systems, credit card machines, satellite modems, or medical alert systems.
  
  
• POWER OUTAGES
  VoIP phones operate through your Internet router which is normally operated with a wall plug. If the power fails, there is no Internet and therefore the VoIP adapter won't work, either.
  
  
• NETWORK RELIABILITY
  While some Internet connections are quite reliable and some have backup power, their networks can get overloaded preventing you from making or receiving calls. Even though your phone may provide a "dial tone", you are not connected to the network until you actually enter the number you are calling.  Overloads are usually a temporary situation which may clear up shortly.  Incoming calls that cannot reach your Internet Home Phone are normally directed to Voice Mail.
  
  
• EQUIPMENT RELIABILITY
  Your Internet Home Phone is guaranteed from defects for an initial period but if your Internet Home Phone base unit stops working you are responsible for repairs.  That usually means replacing the unit which may involve a trip to a store or a wait for another unit to be shipped.
  
  
• LIMITS TO HOW MANY HANDSETS YOU CAN USE
  You can plug in several wired phones into The Internet Home Phone base unit and even into the house wiring, but there are limits, some as few as 2 phones. A solution is a multiple-unit cordless phone system where only one plug is needed for all handsets.

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