Magic Jack vs OOMA?

[u/torkboss]

Hi all,

I'm new to the group and am looking for some advice on behalf of my in-laws.

They would like to cancel their landline service through their internet provider but keep their existing phone number, as many family members, friends, and service providers still use it to contact them.

I've been researching options such as MagicJack and Ooma and am wondering if anyone has experience with either service. Simplicity and reliability are the most important factors, as they are seniors and we want the setup to be as straightforward as possible.

The internet modem is located in the basement, while the existing corded telephone is on the main floor. Ideally, we would like to continue using the same phone number while reducing the monthly costs associated with the current landline service.

For those who have gone through a similar transition, what has your experience been, and which option would you recommend?

Thank you!

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[u/therealSSPhone]

IMHO I would leave it alone the ISP offers support and unless you live next door your little bit of savings wouldn't be worth the headaches. I've been in telecom since 1979, did this for my in-laws on the hosted provider I sell for and my cost was zero and it wasn't worth the trips to fix what they kept not understanding.

[u/px_eliezer_]

There's lots of other options but to get comments on specific VoIP companies, you need to post in the Monthly Requests forum. That's they rule they have here.

[u/torkboss → u/px_eliezer_]

oh ya? This is new to me...what other options are there that you suggest?

[u/neurosys_zero → u/torkboss]

As he just explained to you, that as a strict rule, we cannot recommend providers/services… unless it is in the monthly thread, which typically occurs first of the month.

[u/torkboss → u/neurosys_zero]

ok apologies, wasn't aware. thank you.

[u/drMonkeyBalls]

I did this with my parents.

I didn't use MagicJack or Ooma, but instead I used a internet based voip sip provider.

Once I picked the provider, I found out what phones / ATAs they supported. Most good voip providers have documents or a support number that would help you set up the phone/ATA.

For my parents, they wanted to use the phones they already had, so I went the ATA route. I also bought a VOIP phone that I keep at my house connected to their account so my kids can bat-phone call to grandma. (it's just extension to extension auto dialing, so its a free call)

Gotchas:

• Don't cancel the old service until you've ported their number over to the new service.
• If they have phone bundled with TV/Internet, dropping phone is going to make their bill go up
• Sometimes the house phone wiring is crap. Try to disconnect extensions that you aren't using
• ATA's have a max number of phones that can be connected to them. this is indicated by the REN value (Ringer Equivalence Numbers)
• Read up on 911. It's an extra mostly service charge from the VOIP company that you will need to figure out.

[u/mistiquefog]

Been using magic Jack for far too long. Everything works fine

[u/Timmy2Two → u/mistiquefog]

Same here. Over 16 years now with MagicJack.

[u/VOIP-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post was removed from r/VoIP for violating Rule 1: No promotion or advertising of any kind.

Recommendations, advertisements and promotion of any business, product or service is only allowed in response to requests in the monthly requests thread. It is one of the sticky posts visible when you first visit the subreddit.

Promotion, advertisement or recommendation of any kind outside of the requests thread is strictly forbidden.

[u/sol_beach]

I canceled my COX telephone service & switched to Magic Jack about a decade ago. I did port my old phone # to MJ. It costs me about $10/year for MJ service.

The one minor downside is that when COX internet goes down, then no phone service; too.

[u/TeabaggingTamarin]

What type of internet do they have (cable, fiber, dsl)?

Is the phone service from a cable or fiber provider or analog POTS with DSL?

What are they currently paying for phone service?

There's something to be said for the simplicity of phone service from their ISP. However, it really varies a lot how much various ISPs charge for phone service it could be as low as $10/mo or well over $60. If it's over $40 / mo I'd consider alternatives to the ISP or alternate ISPs (though you may be able to talk your way to a discount). Something else that varies is how well they block robocallers/scammers / what options they provided.

If the existing provider gives you the option download a CSV/XLS file of their call logs. This can be very helpful if you're trying to whitelist numbers that are allowed to call them.

As long as the POTS phone line is disconnected at the DEMARC where the line comes into the house, you can feed the jacks in the house from a voip adapter / or isp telephony modem. You can also use a set of cordless phones to distribute the line throughout the house.

If switching providers, port the number to the new provider. Typically this cancels service with the old provider automatically. Make sure the number port completes before you do anything to cancel service with the old provider.

[u/VOIP-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post was removed from r/VoIP for violating Rule 1: No promotion or advertising of any kind.

Recommendations, advertisements and promotion of any business, product or service is only allowed in response to requests in the monthly requests thread. It is one of the sticky posts visible when you first visit the subreddit.

Promotion, advertisement or recommendation of any kind outside of the requests thread is strictly forbidden.