saving on phone $$$...what do you think?

[hsmamato2]

so, I currently pay 25.00 for so-so dsl speed thru phone co.- plus 17.00 for a landline,plus 5.00 a month for a LD service that then costs .05 per minute..... our bill is usually between 55-65.00 per month-as we try not to LD call too much
I'm thinking.....I could possibly downgrade to BASIC phone line,I think it's 7-13 per month to have the line,we can make 20-30 local calls per month for free- then use a MAgic Jack for most of our calls anyway-
I think this would save us at least 25.00 per month,plus the MJ has a lot more phone extras than we now have (none)
anyone think this would work out? I sick of paying for nothing....we would still have the landline for an emergency,or our basic use cell phones(tracfone) if needed- how does MAgic Jack rate? is it fairly reliable?
I don't want to lose my current landline #,it's been the same for over 20 years.....

 

[buckler]

You could completely eliminate your long distance bill by using the free Google voice service if it is available as a local number in your area. This does not replace your land line, but you can use it to place free long distance calls through your google number. You basically call your local google phone number, enter your pin and then it lets you make free long distance phone calls through that. You use your regular phone so there is no equipment to buy.

Right now Google voice is available through invite only but you can request an invite, it just might take a while.
http://www.google.com/voice

Request invite here:
https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/

 

[tommya60]

We did a package with the phone and dsl that works out to less than $50 a month and includes unlimited long distance and local calls. It also includes call waiting, which is very helpful (elderly parents and a teenager make this a great feature--especially when I am on the phone with Girl Scout stuff---at least they can reach me if they need to) and caller id, which I could live without.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

AT&T has a new offering for U-verse (television service). The package for land line, dsl, and tv is less than 100 a month......I can't wait for it to be available in my neighborhood since right now my DirecTv (basic) is close to $90 a month...

 

[ssawka]

I would say up your DSL if you can and go with Vonage. Vonage has a basic 500 minute plan to anywhere in the US and PR for $17 a month. I have been using Vonage for about 5 years now and other than being overloaded on a rare occasion, I have had no problem with it.

 

[hsmamato2]

clue me in- why is vonage better than magic jack? I thought they were both run off of a computer?
I can't upgrade dsl service,believe it or not- my company says all the ports are taken or it's not available yet in my neighborhood- been waiting a year for u-verse to hit out part of town
Besides,I think with all extra costs,u-verse would be well over 100.00 a month according to what some friends have said-
when I get charged for phone service now,it's with all the 'fees' tacked on- so 'upgrading' on this service ends up way more (like 60.00 for free LD,but add 15.00 a month for extra fees)
I don't need more,I need less,and cheaper!
So if I keep my landline,and get the bare bones service(thus keeping a better price on dsl thru them) then which service should we get...MAgic Jack,Vonage,etc?
I think cutting off the landline completely will end up costing me more,as they cut the rates on other services with it......I am so confused!
Can't I make LD calls with MJ? I think that would be a tremendous savings there.....

 

[ssawka]

clue me in- why is vonage better than magic jack? I thought they were both run off of a computer?
I can't upgrade dsl service,believe it or not- my company says all the ports are taken or it's not available yet in my neighborhood- been waiting a year for u-verse to hit out part of town
Besides,I think with all extra costs,u-verse would be well over 100.00 a month according to what some friends have said-
when I get charged for phone service now,it's with all the 'fees' tacked on- so 'upgrading' on this service ends up way more (like 60.00 for free LD,but add 15.00 a month for extra fees)
I don't need more,I need less,and cheaper!
So if I keep my landline,and get the bare bones service(thus keeping a better price on dsl thru them) then which service should we get...MAgic Jack,Vonage,etc?
I think cutting off the landline completely will end up costing me more,as they cut the rates on other services with it......I am so confused!
Can't I make LD calls with MJ? I think that would be a tremendous savings there.....

In answer to your first question, Vonage does not require a computer, Magic Jack does. With Vonage, there are a couple different ways you can have it set up. The way I have it set up, there is a Vonage box that plugs into my router, then I have the Vonage box plugged into to a regular phone jack. Once it is plugged in, all the phones in my house will ring when I receive a phone call. Essentially, I cannot tell the difference between Vonage and a conventional land line.

I also do not have cable, I only watch TV over the air or via the Internet (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) Fortunately, I have FIOS at my house and I pay for an upgraded connection at 20Mbps. I realize you probably don't have that option. Right now, I pay about $60/month for my Internet connection, $20 for Vonage, and about $8 for Netflix, for a grand total of $88/Month. I realize this would not work for many as my TV choices are limited, but it works for me.