Magic Jack

[arntufun]

Does anyone use the Magic Jack for their home phone ????? My cable, internet and phone provider is ripping us off every month and if I can drop the home phone part and replace it with this Magic Jack thingy, it would save us $50.00 a month.

You can't beat the price of 20.00 a year, but im wondering if anyone has it and wants to share thier experience with it.

[Lamonster]

I've been using it for the last 5 years or so and I love it. I was paying $150.00 per month and now I pay $4.00 for two lines. Get the new Magic Jack that doesn't need the computer to run, that's what I use now.

[Blue Star]

I've been using it for the last 5 years or so and I love it. I was paying $150.00 per month and now I pay $4.00 for two lines. Get the new Magic Jack that doesn't need the computer to run, that's what I use now.

while not as long as Lamonster. I have had no problems with the magic jack.

[Jharpo]

The only problem I have had reported is if you have a Fax machine or anything that requires an analog line, it won't work on a digital line which the Magic Jack is. The same holds true with Vonage, Fios, etc.

[Air Force PAO]

I had a Magic Jack. It worked as advertised. No problems. However, now I just use my cell phone. I have no land line.

Good Ryding.

[pro10is]

Ooma was recently rated #1 for VOIP on Consumer Reports. You buy the box and the service is free (except for taxes). If you do the math and read the reviews on Amazon you'll see this is the least expensive and best service currently available.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...-20&linkCode=a
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[Frank G]

They work great as long as you have a quality internet connection. You can pick up messages via E-Mail. Can't go wrong for the price.I've saved over $2800.00 since we changed.More Toys!!!

[wyliec]

I had a Magic Jack. It worked as advertised. No problems. However, now I just use my cell phone. I have no land line.

Good Ryding.

We do the same. Don't know why we didn't do it sooner. Plus the added benefit of no nuisance calls.

[Farmbanker]

I had Magic Jack for a year after killing my home land line and realized I really didn't use it either so let it go. Worked OK for what little I did use it. My wife and i just went totally to cell phones. Still have cable for internet for home but really never missed having any kind of land line.....

[Lamonster]

Ooma was recently rated #1 for VOIP on Consumer Reports. You buy the box and the service is free (except for taxes). If you do the math and read the reviews on Amazon you'll see this is the least expensive and best service currently available.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...-20&linkCode=a

I do have a landline for fax and I like that this can use fax over ip. I may get this just for fax and get rid of the landline. Thanks

[Lamonster]

I just looked up the taxes on the ooma phone and it's $5.88 per month, that's crazy seeing the magic jack is just $1.98 per month. It's still cheaper than a landline.

[KCPete]

Cost aside, be sure to read the fine print....not many of the IP phone providers are tied in with local emergency services.
Here in KC, even Roadrunner was offering the digital phone for quite some time before they were tied to local 911 services....prior to that, all 911 calls went to a call center out of state, who then called local fire/police departments on their 'normal' lines, and the 911 dispatchers were out of the loop.
Not sure about all of them, but I know Vonage 911 calls still go to a call center, and not to local services directly.

[JJW SpyderRider]

I have thought out this option myself, thanks for all the information!

By the way, the developer of the Magic Jack rides an RT

[Blue Star]

I had a Magic Jack. It worked as advertised. No problems. However, now I just use my cell phone. I have no land line.

Good Ryding.

I use my cell almost completely, and just the Magic Jack for calls that I know I will end up on hold for a while. I am going to let the subscription to the Magic Jack expire when times come, and just make the calls from work (most are 800 anyway) after that. I have not had a land line for over three years now.

[pro10is]

I just looked up the taxes on the ooma phone and it's $5.88 per month, that's crazy seeing the magic jack is just $1.98 per month. It's still cheaper than a landline.

The taxes will vary by state. I pay only $3.76 per month. Here is a link which will show the cost for any zip code: https://go.ooma.com/tax_calculator

MagicJack plus now costs $29.95 per year which is $2.50 per month unless you're willing to sign up with them for five years which is $19.95/month. That would be a bit risky seeing that new technology is always coming out and that any VOIP company may go out of business at any time. I wouldn't sign up for any service for five years.

The general consensus is that MagicJack Plus is indeed cheaper but Ooma uses better technology which provides higher quality and advanced features. Also many users report that MagicJack will automatically hang up your call after 1 hour and 30 minutes after which reconnection may be denied for some time. If you're a business and/or make a lot of phone calls also please be sure to read MagicJack's rules on "excessive service".

Before you get either it may be a good idea to read the customer reviews on Amazon to get an idea of what each service is like:

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MagicJack Plus: http://www.amazon.com/Improved-Magic...owViewpoints=1
Ooma: http://www.amazon.com/Ooma-Telo-Free...owViewpoints=1

Bottom line: If you're looking for the absolute cheapest service and are not too concerned about high quality, features, or support then MagicJack Plus is the least expensive option at the present time. If you want a very low cost service with superior quality, support, and advanced features then consider Ooma.

Other services to consider depending on your needs are Vonage, Obihai, Google Talk, and Skype. If you get good, reliable cell phone service at your house also consider dropping a land line altogether.

Now if you want to talk cell phone services, Consumer Cellular can save you a small fortune over Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T even with a smart phone and a data plan.

[Bob Denman]

By the way, the developer of the Magic Jack rides an RT

So sign him up in here!

[arntufun]

After further research on this product.........If anyone is interested in the magic jack and wants to use your excisting home phone # you currently use now you need to be aware of this extra fee and time lapse.


1. It's a one time porting fee of $19.99 and $9.95 per year on top of the yearly service fee.
2. Once you port your current number on the website it takes 5-10 days to take effect, so don't cancel your home phone before then. You can make calls right away, but you will not recieve calls through magic jack until the port is complete. They will email you once it happens and then you can cancel your current service.


Even with this extra charge it will be only $40.00 a year and only $30.00 if you have a 5 year contract (after the intial $20.00 porting # fee). I'm pulling the trigger today for this product, just to try it out.


Thank Pro for the info on the Ooma. If this Magic Jack doesn't work out, then I will try that.

[Bob Denman]

Hi Randy,
We'll be waiting to hear how you like this new setup...
We've always kept landlines down here for several reasons:
They work even when the power goes out
There simply is no cellular service in our community... (Hidden amongst the mountains)

Will this new setup also drop out if the powergrid takes a dive?

[kinggeek]

Hi Randy,
We'll be waiting to hear how you like this new setup...
We've always kept landlines down here for several reasons:
They work even when the power goes out
There simply is no cellular service in our community... (Hidden amongst the mountains)

Will this new setup also drop out if the powergrid takes a dive?

Yes it will

[arntufun]

Hi Randy,
We'll be waiting to hear how you like this new setup...
We've always kept landlines down here for several reasons:
They work even when the power goes out
There simply is no cellular service in our community... (Hidden amongst the mountains)

Will this new setup also drop out if the powergrid takes a dive?

Understood, I have my cell phone for when the power goes out and they have the best coverage in the country............. VERIZON !!!!!!

My landline phone is currently through Time Warner anyway, so my phone currently doesn't work when the power is out either. Any Voip phone will not work without power or internet service.

It might be week or so before I am able to give a review on it.

[Bob Denman]

Well let's all hope that you've got nothing to report, because it turns out to be a seamless transition!

[arntufun]

Just installed Magic Jack Plus (no need for a computer to be on....Thanks Lamont) !!!!! The call clarity is crystal clear and it's a pretty easy set up !!!! So far so good..,......

[Recluze]

I have been using Magic Jack for about 4 years. I don't know what it costs but it I signed up for a five year plan that cost practically nothing.

1) It's okay. It takes forever to load up. And it loads up EVERY time you turn on your computer. It takes forever.
2) Most of the time it won't make or recieve a call. I called then about this and they had no resolution for it.
3) It does not have any emergency service but I rarely have an emergency.
4) I unplug it all of the time. Then when I want to use it I plug it in to my computer, wait for it to load up and make a phone call. I never receive a phone call on it. I do give out the number to people I never want to hear from. I use it when I know I am going to have to work my way through some automated system. I put it on speaker and look at porn while I hit the next button I need to hit.
5) I am paying practically nothing and it is worth about that.

[arntufun]

I have been using Magic Jack for about 4 years. I don't know what it costs but it I signed up for a five year plan that cost practically nothing.

1) It's okay. It takes forever to load up. And it loads up EVERY time you turn on your computer. It takes forever.
2) Most of the time it won't make or recieve a call. I called then about this and they had no resolution for it.
3) It does not have any emergency service but I rarely have an emergency.
4) I unplug it all of the time. Then when I want to use it I plug it in to my computer, wait for it to load up and make a phone call. I never receive a phone call on it. I do give out the number to people I never want to hear from. I use it when I know I am going to have to work my way through some automated system. I put it on speaker and look at porn while I hit the next button I need to hit.
5) I am paying practically nothing and it is worth about that.

FYI, when it's plugged into the router and not the computer with magic jack plus, it does not load up on your computer at start up. There is a Icon on your desktop but thats it.


So far I have not had a problem with service, but I'm only on day two with it.

[murphybrown]

After much research (including MJ) made the decision to literally pull the plug on my land line, internet provider and go 100% cell. My cell is also my personal hot spot for wifi....net savings per month $138.00...shhhhhh don't tell, but that is my RT fun/farkle $$!!!! Oh that's right I don't report to anyone about how I spend $$!!!!