We're in the interesting situation that neither my wife nor I have had a home telephone since we've moved out of our parents houses circa 2000..
Now we have young kids who are making friends in school and activities. We're still a few years shy of them having their own cell phones, but it's a bit awkward to tell them to have their friend call one of our phones..
I've been looking at magic jack and some of the alternatives, but anyone have any real world experience?
I should add that it would be awesome if there were some way to block telemarketing with it. I get 5-10 calls a day on my cell phone, but it doesn't ring for an unknown number and the majority are already marked "suspected spam" which is an awesome feature.
I'm about to drop my land line, it only gets solicitation and calls to my kids. For the $65/mo. I'm going to get a internet/wifi phone, it won't work in a power outage but that never happens.
Another option is a third phone on the cell plan, they may offer a home option with calls but no data.
akylekoz said:
I'm about to drop my land line, it only gets solicitation and calls to my kids. For the $65/mo. I'm going to get a internet/wifi phone, it won't work in a power outage but that never happens.
Another option is a third phone on the cell plan, they may offer a home option with calls but no data.
Yeah, the solicitation is the concern, the calls for the kids is the intention. I could add another cell phone, but then the two year old will walk away with it.
If we get another cell, it will be on an antitheft cord like the cameras and laptops at the store.
We've had an Ooma for probably 5 years now. Our monthly phone bill is around $5, all local taxes and such. There's no subscription fees or anything. We wouldn't have a home phone anymore if we had to pay any more than that.
I only chuckle a little to think kids these days actually talking on a phone.
They are more likely to use written word like text or FB messenger.
Does the house have wifi? How about a tablet or laptop with Skype or FB video messanger?
Thanks Tom, that's about our price cap, too.
John - I'm sure that'll come, but I don't want the 7 year old to have unfettered access to the great communication networks yet. Like I said, in a few years they'll have their own phones, I know, but right now none of their friends do either so we get a few more years before dealing with that. This is mostly if they want to set up something to go play somewhere.
My internet access at home is through the cable company. Their basic internet package includes phone and TV whether you use it or not. I use the phone but not the TV.
Cable here also for land line through Comcast package deal. Don't get any telemarketing calls at all.
