Review: Unlimited US Telephone Calling With Ooma VOIP?

Recently new to the market, newcomer Ooma has debuted offering unlimited US calling and no monthly fee.

What's different about Ooma from other services that offered yearly unlimited calling or no monthly fee service is that Ooma is setup to offer premier services, which they do charge a monthly fee for, as well as overseas calling.

What do you get with Ooma?

Ooma is a hardware device that allows you to make and receive calls through your high speed internet service. Basically, you plug in the hub to your router and plug your phone into the hub. That's basically it.

Each hub also comes with a 'scout', a smaller version of the hub, that you can plug in at other locations in your home. You basically plug it in between the wall jack and your phone and it will work with the Ooma service.

The basic service also comes with a free 60 day trial of the premier service.

With the basic Ooma service you get:

• Unlimited US calling: Call anyone, anytime, anywhere in the U.S.
• Phone number flexibility: Choose a new number anywhere in the U.S. or transfer an existing number for a one-time fee
• Caller-ID: See the name and number of who is calling (caller-ID compatible phone required)
• Call-waiting: Switch to a new incoming call when you are already on the line
• Call-waiting caller-ID: See the name and number of a new incoming call before you switch over
• Voicemail: Access your messages remotely from any phone or web browser
• Voicemail notifications: Receive notifications via email or text when incoming messages arrive
• Broadband Answering Machine™: Listen to messages hands-free with the built-in speaker
• ooma Lounge™: Hear messages and control your preferences online
• Call Logs: Check your calling history online; filter and sort to find the call you are looking for
• Enhanced 911: Emergency personnel are automatically given your registered address when you dial 911 (subject to availability)
• Free in-network calling: Call another ooma customer anywhere in the world for free
• Outbound caller name: Have your name show up when you call out (other party must have caller-ID with name feature)
• Caller-ID blocking: Use *67/*82 to block or display your caller-ID/name for outgoing calls
• Call return: Return the last incoming call by dialing *69
• Landline backup: Automatic fallback during power/Internet outages or 911 calls (requires basic landline to be plugged-in)
• Prepaid international calling: Make low-cost international calls starting at only a penny per minute
• Directory assistance: Make 411 calls at $0.99 per call
• Warranty: One-year limited warranty

For a monthly fee of $12.99 (currently), you can get these additional services:

• Free number porting: Transfer an existing number for free with an annual subscription to ooma Premier
• Multi-Ring: Simultaneously ring or forward your ooma number to your mobile phone, or any number you choose
• Message screening: Screen your calls by listening in as a caller is leaving their message
• Voicemail forwarding: Have your voicemail automatically forwarded to email
• Instant Second Line™: Make a second call even when someone else is on the phone (requires ooma Scout)
• Enhanced call-waiting: Answer an incoming call even when someone else is on the phone (requires ooma Scout)
• Three-way conferencing: Conference two lines together at a push of a button
• Send to Voicemail: Transfer a call to voicemail at a touch of a button
• Do Not Disturb: Transfer all incoming calls directly to voicemail at a touch of a button
• Personal numbers: Select additional phone numbers in any calling area in the US
• Directed ringing: Create private extensions which are dedicated to a personal number
• Private voicemail: Create private voicemail and Lounge accounts dedicated to a personal number
• Distinctive ringing: Control the ring pattern based on a personal number

How does it compare with other VOIP services?

Everyone I've heard from has had excellent experiences with not only the service, but easy setup. But the main difference most users are enjoying is the lack of a monthly fee. The call quality has been reported to be excellent without any choppiness or echoes sometimes experienced with other VOIP services.

It's also been highly recommended in the media, reviews and by existing users.

While voicemail is available with all VOIP services standard, Ooma offers unique access to your voicemail directly from the hub and scout units making checking your voicemail messages easy and much more convenient than any other VOIP service I've found. The voicemail feature is quite flexible offering the option to record your conversations as well as standard voicemail features offered elsewhere.

What are the down sides?

There don't seem to be many cons to Ooma. You do have to pay $39.99 to keep your existing number (transfer it to Ooma) and adding a fax line is not guaranteed to work. You can set up an additional dedicated phone number as your fax line to get around that, but Ooma tells you you may need to turn your fax on manual answer to not interfere with their multiple line calling system. If you need a dedicated fax, you may want to check into this further. An alternative is using an email fax service which is much more cost effective, flexible and environmentally friendly as well.

Bottom Line

If you're looking to save a significant amount on your telephone service and you already have high speed internet access, Ooma looks like an excellent choice to switch to. Unless you need additional features like distinctive ringing, forwarding voicemail, message screening and private numbers, you can stay with the basic service package and enjoy free telephone service. Although even if you opt for the premium service, at $12.99 a month, it's a small price to pay and most likely much less than any other true VOIP service on the market today.

Learn more about Ooma.

Resources:

> Buy.com currently has the lowest price on the Ooma

Compare Complete VOIP Small Business Telephone Solutions

I recently found out how many different small business telephone solutions are available today when I was asked to help recommend and install a phone system for a small company.

In my research, I chose to focus on VOIP solutions for several reasons:

1. low cost
2. ease of installation
3. convenience of online management

After much background research and comparisons, I narrowed my search down to two providers, Packet 8 and RingCentral.

Here are the benefits of each:

Packet 8

Packet 8 offers both VOIP telephone equipment and service for a reasonable monthly cost. The phone equipment is well designed, fairly easy to use and plugs in using normal RJ11 telephone jacks. High speed internet access is required and the routers connect your telephone lines to your cable modem.

All phone lines are managed online through a control panel, which is a bit confusing at first, where you can modify your settings, phone extensions and system functions.

You can also add dedicated voip fax lines as well by adding an additional router you can purchase from Packet 8.

All plans include unlimited calling in the US, advanced call forwarding, outlook integration, and an auto attendant option that basically manages your incoming calls and routes them to any phone in your system. Each physical phone has a direct number as well as an extension that is available through the attendant.

You can either rent the telephone equipment or purchase it outright.

There are many service plans that start at $39.99 (auto attendant and single phone) depending on where you'd like to call and whether you want to rent or purchase the telephone equipment.

Customer service is available Monday-Saturday during working hours.

RingCentral

RingCentral is setup differently by providing all services except VOIP digital telephone through an online control panel allowing you to get started within minutes of signing up. RingCentral is basically a virtual PBX where you either setup a new business phone number in area code available (or transfer an existing number) and allows you to setup how your callers will be directed without any hardware or equipment.

You can have extensions going to phone numbers anywhere in the world, setup custom greetings, voicemail, setup rules based on time of day, dial by name directories, call forwarding, call screening, music or personalized recorded messages on hold, call screening, caller id, click to call from your web site, outlook integration, call logs, fax on demand, email fax, calling card function and many more.

Service plan costs start at $9.99 a month although you'll most likely end up with the more robust plan at $24.99 which is very reasonable for the features offered. VOIP digital telephone service is available for as little as $4.99 a month and is available in addition to the RingCentral Virtual PBX service.

A 30 day free trial is currently available without obligation. It's one of the only services I found where you can try it and if it's not for you, you can just cancel and walk away.

Support is available 24 hours a day and is quite helpful.

Bottom Line

In comparing these two services I took the following into consideration.

The company I was helping already had phone lines and numbers active in their office and had many contractors working with them throughout the country. The office was small and the principals often worked from home and traveled.

With these factors the RingCentral plan made the most sense for their company. I recommended the Digital VOIP service for their physical office and the RingCentral virtual PBX service that would manage all their incoming calls through one phone number. They could choose to add a toll free number (currently RingCentral is offering 800 numbers at no cost) or user their existing business telephone number.

The positive testimonials and press that RingCentral has received is hard to overlook and gave me comfort in making the recommendation.

If the company was new and didn't already have existing equipment, the Packet 8 service may have been a cost effective alternative, depending on how many 'virtual' employees or contractors were involved.

MagicJack Makes Calling Cheap with Unlimited Plan

The MagicJack looks like a simple USB thumb drive for your computer, but plug a standard telephone into the other end and for $40 the first year, $20 a year thereafter, it allows you to make unlimited phone calls in the U.S. and Canada. That includes calls you make to the U.S. and Canada even if you happen to be overseas. It also offers some of those nifty premium features you'll find from more established online phone services like Vonage or Skype, like virtual voicemail and a system to find you when you're not at a computer.

“If this is unplugged or if your computer is turned off, you program in up to three numbers to find and when someone calls the phone number associated with this it finds that other number,” says Mel Arthur of Magic Jack.

Source: News14

How Does VoIP Work?

VoIP is Voice over Internet Protocol. Standard telephone lines are referred to as PSTN or the Public Switched Telephone Network. PSTN works on circuit switching. A good example of circuit switching is the old switchboard operator who would connect callers to receivers by the use of electrical circuits. VoIP is Packet Switching. Packet Switching consists of data packets, or packets of information being carried across the Internet, from your computer to either another computer or PSTN telephone.

VoIP operates in different forms. For instance, you can use VoIP when you use an Instant Messaging program with voice on your computer. These are very popular and now Yahoo, AOL, MSN, ICQ, and even Google have VoIP Instant Messaging programs. The benefits of these programs are that they are free to download off of the Internet, and by using a microphone and your speakers; you can talk over the Internet with any of your buddies. As long as your friends and family members download the same program, you will be able to talk with them as long as you like, and absolutely free. You can talk to anyone, anywhere in the world with VoIP Instant Messengers.

Another method of VoIP technology is to use a VoIP service provider for your basic telephony needs. A very familiar company is Vonage. For a monthly fee, you will receive VoIP services, the same as you pay for your regular telephone services. You can choose to use your VoIP service over the Internet, or you can choose to connect your VoIP to your standard telephone. By connecting a VoIP phone adapter to your modem and standard phone, you will be able to use your VoIP service and your telephone as you would with any other telephone service provider.

Many people prefer to use a VoIP service provider because the cost of local and long distance calling with VoIP is very inexpensive. Many providers offer unlimited, flat rate calling plans. There are other features that are often bundled with your service plan. Features such as Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Transfer, and 3 Way Calling are often included for free in your selected VoIP plan. By choosing your VoIP service provide and installing a phone adapter, you will be on your way to making low cost VoIP calls in minutes.

You can also purchase a specialized VoIP phone. These phones come in both cordless and corded styles. The cordless VoIP phones work the same as standard cordless phones. Many of these phones also come with conferencing features and are suitable for small or home business needs.

Another form of VoIP telephones are the VoWiFi phones. These are wireless VoIP phones. This is the same technology as VoIP, only you are not limited to a plugged in connection. You can use your VoWiFi phone wherever there is a wireless High Speed Internet Connection. These phones are slightly more expensive then mobile phones and are now becoming popular options for consumers. They are a cost effective choice for those who would like to save a little money.

Another form of VoIP is a hybrid service that is more like a softphone application, making and taking calls directly from your computer (no handset) as well as providing an extensive voicemail system with additional features. PrivatePhone is one example of this service and includes additional features like 'call me back', downloading and posting voicemail messages online and many more. It's an effective choice for classified ad replies, advertising, lead collection and private phone calls.

VoIP has proved to be a viable source of telecommunications. Many companies are now offering VoIP services and those who aren’t have plans to do so. Companies such as Verizon and Sprint offer VoIP services. Other companies are working on creating VoIP phones and VoWiFi phones. There are Hybrid phones on the market, which allow for both VoWiFi and Cellular calling. These phones have many people excited. They can work in a network range as a cellular phone, and then, they can work as a VoWiFi phone, avoiding all roaming charges.

The FCC has issued some regulations regarding VoIP and the ability to call 911. Because VoIP uses the Internet and not a landline phone, when a call is made to 911 from a VoIP connection, the operator who receives the call receives none of the caller’s pertinent information. This includes address or location of the call. Some service providers do not supply 911 at all; others have what is known as Enhanced 911 services. To use these services you may need to activate your service, as well as register your information with 911. However, you will need to sign a statement when you apply for your VoIP services stating that you understand your 911 capabilities may be limited.

New Directory for Skype Users

A new community of Skype users has been introduced with the goal of building a directory of Skype users contact information. Like a yellow pages directory strictly for individuals and business that can include your phone number, description, location and Skype name. Great idea.

Visit the site at: ListBlue.com.

If you aren't a Skype user, you can grab the software - for free - here and keep in touch with friends, family and even business associates at no cost.

Happy VoIPing!

Mark
Review VoIP Plans and Services

Ten Reasons To Go VoIP

Why go with VoIP? Many people today are asking the same question. VoIP is Voice Over Internet Protocol. It is also commonly referred to as VoIP, IP, Digital Phone, Broadband Phone and Internet Telephony. VoIP is basically your voice traveling over the Internet as opposed to PSTN or the Public Switched Telephone Network.

VoIP offers many benefits and advantages over PSTN networks. Here are the top ten reasons why you should go VoIP:

1. VoIP Saves You Money

Overall, VoIP is much more inexpensive then PSTN. You simply pay for your Internet service, and then whichever VoIP provider you choose. For a one time monthly fee, you can have unlimited local and long distance phone calls. You will need to check with the VoIP service provider that you choose for exact details on their rates. Sometimes, your VoIP service provider will allow free calls within the world to another computer, yet there may be a fee for calls worldwide to a landline phone. Always check with your chosen service provider for exact details regarding your chosen plan. But overall, the average cost of VoIP is considerably less when compared to the cost of PSTN.

2. Talk with Multiple People at no Extra Cost.

With VoIP, you can talk with more than one person without paying extra for services such as three way calling. With VoIP you can have more than three people on the phone at once. VoIP is the perfect solution for those who want to explore the features of conference calls.

3. Greater Flexibility with VoIP

By using VoIP, you can take your VoIP equipment with you whenever you travel. Your VoIP service provider will send you a converter that will allow you to use your converter with any standard telephone. The converter comes programmed with your telephone number, allowing you to take your phone and phone number with you worldwide. All you will need is a high speed Internet connection and you can use your VoIP phone service.

4. Save Money for Family and Friends by Choosing Your Own Area Code

Many VoIP service providers will give you the option of selecting your own area code number. This is a tremendous benefit to family and friend members who can call you locally, if you select the same area code number. This is especially beneficial when regularly calling friends or family overseas if you can select a local number in their country.

5. For Businesses VoIP allows Real Time Interaction

If businesses and their customers were both using VoIP technology, troubleshooting customers problems would be much easier. They would be able to communicate on the computer and on phone at the same time.

6. The Integration of Audio and Data

VoIP combines audio and data, allowing users to interact with data while using audio capabilities. This has unlimited potential when it comes to business users. Statistics show that the combination of audio and data is not only popular, but on the rise. For example, many people love the camera/cell phone.

7. VoIP includes many Features At No Cost

Many VoIP services include features that normally cost money with standard PSTN. These features include Voice Mail, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Caller ID, Call Blocking, Faxing, and Toll Free Calling. You will need to check with your VoIP service provider for an exact offering of the services that are available for free with your plan.

8. VoIP Saves Companies Money

Many companies have advanced telecommunications needs. Due to the fact that VoIP integrates data and video with voice, many companies are opting to go wireless. This is cost effective and more productive overall. They are able to integrate their systems with the Internet as well, leaving them more room for flexibility with clients and enhancing their customer service centers.

9. Reduce In-house Phone Lines

VoIP does not require additional phone lines for multiple users. This saves money. For basic PSTN networks, additional phone lines can cost $100 or more to install. You can save money by using VoIP services throughout your entire house with an additional costs.

10. VoIP Can Build a Faster Network

For companies that need to build a large network, will VoIP incorporate data, audio, video, and web features, but you can build a faster network over the Internet then you can with PSTN. The key to implementing your fast network is to use accurate assessment tools. By using software tools instead of hardware tools, your network may be assessed at any time, anywhere, and without testing individual equipment but by using a central program.

VoIP Quality

VoIP was not known for great quality when it first appeared on the market. Thanks to technological advances VoIP has been holding their own against telephone heavyweights for quite some time in the area of voice quality. To get the most out of your VoIP connection you will need to invest in an up-to-date computer. If your computer is running on a slow processor or a very old operating system, your computer may not be equipped to handle VoIP and producing the high quality audio needed to have a great conversation. You should always check with your VoIP provider and see what their computer requirements are before signing up. You should make sure that your computer is fully prepared to adequately handle a VoIP connection. At the least, a high speed internet connection and a computer runnning the latest operating system with adequate memory and hard drive space is recommended.

Another step in producing great audio quality and VoIP is your soundboard. If you have a shabby soundboard and speakers, you will not experience the full range of VoIP. Your computer should be well equipped before considering taking the dive and unplugging your telephone wires.

VoIP operates by transmitting audio as data (in the form of Packets) across the Internet. The Packets can be transmitted to another computer or to a standard PSTN phone. If it is transmitted to a PSTN phone, the packet will be reassembled for the other hearer. All of this takes place in the blink of an eye and produces a conversation comparable to other service providers.

For VoIP to produce great quality audio, you will need to make sure that you have a High Speed Internet connection. This can be either DSL or Cable Modem, but VoIP will have conflicting issues with Dial Up. When you subscribe to your VoIP subscriber, you will be given software to install upon your computer. This will also include audio Codecs. Audio Codecs will enable your VoIP with high quality audio and great sound capabilities. There is no reason to believe that you cannot have excellent sound with VoIP.

VoIP is providing customers with not only great audio, but also with great features that are usually only provided for a fee with standard telephone service providers. Features such as Voicemail, Call waiting, Call forwarding, Caller Id, and Call Transferring are typically included free of charge with your VoIP package.

Many small businesses are opting to use VoIP for their telecommunication business needs due to the fact that VoIP offers great quality for a lower price. Small businesses are recognizing that the ability to handle all of their data, voice, and web applications with one service is of incredible benefit to the productivity of their company. The ability to interact with customers in real time, while utilizing E-mail, audio, and web applications is well worth the switch to VoIP.

Call centers are also taking advantage of VoIP services. In the early years of telemarketing history, call centers were comprised of one central office where hundreds, if not thousands, of employees gathered together to handle customer service calls. Now, by utilizing VoIP, call centers can exist anywhere worldwide. Many business owners are now outsourcing their business overseas, and with VoIP technology, agents can be hired around the globe, and in different time zones, allowing companies to have cost effective labor, that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are other benefits for small businesses incorporating VoIP service. It is a great way for mobile employees to stay connected to their main offices and they can take advantage of the affordable rates. Mobile employees can also benefit from the fact that VoIP can be used anywhere there is a High Speed Internet connection. That means that if an employee travels a lot, they can receive business calls on their current work number via their laptop. This is an incredible savings not only of dollars, but of valuable business calls that may other wise be lost.

All in all, VoIP has increased to a viable alternative to traditional landline phone service. The quality has developed to the point that VoIP is a viable competitor against major telephone companies. As products and services continue to develop, we can only expect that VoIP will increase in quality, service, and standards. People value the nature of VoIP for its flexibility; cost effectiveness, ability to increase business productivity, and overall simplicity of design.