Basic Phone Service

[Donna]

Is any one paying for basic phone service (landline) or is every one using cell phones in TV??

[villages07]

Donna,

We have an embarq landline...about $27/month ($10 of which is taxes arrrgh). We chose this route because neither of us are big cell phone users and we like the clarity of the landline and we are full timers.

We do use ECG communications as our LD provider....costs about 2.5 cents per minute to call outside FL and 9 cents a minute for LD calls inside FL (go figure) with no minimum monthly charges.

Once other local options get more reliable and when Embarq goes up above $30/month we will consider ditching it.

[lindaz]

We are using the MagicJack (VOIP) phone that is $40 a year unlimited calling. Seems that is all we need as a back-up to cells and the 911 works. It is the most inexpensive solution we have found.

[Laura]

We were paying lots of big bucks for Embarq and Comcast and AOL. Now we combined all three with Comcast and our bill is $50.00 a month cheapr PLUS we get HBO for a year, AND free long distance calling in USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and several more countries.
I do not talk on my cell phone as some do, but I always carry it with me for emergencies, of which there haven't been any yet, thank GOD!!!
L.

[JohnN]

I'm pondering this and initial thoughts were cell only, however the quality really is lacking.
I don't yet know.... magikjack sounds interesting, but you can't get a 352 area code.

[barb1191]

We were paying lots of big bucks for Embarq and Comcast and AOL. Now we combined all three with Comcast and our bill is $50.00 a month cheapr PLUS we get HBO for a year, AND free long distance calling in USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and several more countries.
I do not talk on my cell phone as some do, but I always carry it with me for emergencies, of which there haven't been any yet, thank GOD!!!
L.

Laura.... AOL has been free for some time now if you are not dialup. If you now have comcast broadband, you can still use aol free. I suggest that you dump embarq and get either magic jack or comcast phone service where you pay so much less and have all the bells and whistles of free long distance, caller ID, call waiting, 911, etc. Real great moneysaver. ....b

[carlent]

We use only VOIP for only 24.95 a month unlimited calling US and Canada and some overseas countries. You can talk for hours....no extra.....how can you beat that?
We use VONAGE.....very, very good service and quality

[barb1191]

We use only VOIP for only 24.95 a month unlimited calling US and Canada and some overseas countries. You can talk for hours....no extra.....how can you beat that?
We use VONAGE.....very, very good service and quality


MagicJack is $20 a YEAR !! Can't beat that. ....b

http://www.magicjack.com/4/index.asp

[mom2five]

Is Comcast now offering phone service in The Villages?

[barb1191]

I read on another thread that comcast is now offering phone service, yes......b

[Donna]

what is majic jack and where can you get it???

[barb1191]

what is majic jack and where can you get it???


Here it is, Donna.....

http://www.magicjack.com/4/index.asp

One of the many good features is that it is portable and you can take it with you and use it anywhere you have access to the internet. All you do is plug this very small adapter into your computer and the other end into a phone. How easy is that? I find that best results for clarity is to keep the audio volume on your computer low.......b

[Donna]

Barb..Thanks so much.. ;)

[784caroline]

LAura
You are saving $50 but what are you paying and what are you getting for that cost. W are fniallly moving to TV in 2-3 weeks and this would be very helpful information. CABle (what level), telephone, internet and what else.

[Donna]

How is the reception on the MajicJack??? Is it clear?? :dontknow:

[Helene2008]

We just received our MajicJack yesterday and have made several calls. It is very clear, in addition it has caller ID, call waiting and three way calling. Hard to believe it's $20.00 a year. In addition to free domestic and long distance they have a very inexpensive rate for international calls.

[JohnN]

Just because it's so darned cheap, I'm going to have to give majikjack a try.
I'd prefer they had a 352 area codes (apparently not on the drawing board yet) but I'll deal with it. Landlines are just too pricey considering I mostly use my cell.

[renielarson]

OK OK OK...I can't keep my mouth shut and have to give my opinion about Magicjack.

Yes, it's cheap. Yes, it has clear reception. Yes, it's a savings to those who have it installed as their primary phone. My phone wouldn't work so an added expense was us having to buy a better phone (that we needed anyway) in order for MJ to work.

However, we returned ours. I can't, no matter what, have a phone service where anyone local who calls me is charged long distance! Since Magicjack does not have a local area code, any neighbor or local resident who wants to call is charged long distance charges.

If my next door neighbor needed to call me...s/he would have to pay long distance charges.

I couldn't do that to my friends!

[barb1191]

OK OK OK...I can't keep my mouth shut and have to give my opinion about Magicjack.

Yes, it's cheap. Yes, it has clear reception. Yes, it's a savings to those who have it installed as their primary phone. My phone wouldn't work so an added expense was us having to buy a better phone (that we needed anyway) in order for MJ to work.

However, we returned ours. I can't, no matter what, have a phone service where anyone local who calls me is charged long distance! Since Magicjack does not have a local area code, any neighbor or local resident who wants to call is charged long distance charges.

If my next door neighbor needed to call me...s/he would have to pay long distance charges.

I couldn't do that to my friends!


Bright... I think we all feel the same as you, however, most people who use MJ also use a cell phone for backup and our cell has a local TV number. Also, many subscribers are now foregoing the land line and going to comcast, vonage, and the like where there is no charge for long-distance calling. The only peeps one would be imposing a LD charge would be those without the LD free service.

More and more are giving up the landline service because of the expense and cost for any and all extra services, as well as the ridiculous tax and service charges over and above the basic charge.

Even if you just used MJ for free outgoing calls, that would be a savings if you subscribe to a landline phone service that doesn't offer free LD calling.

This is merely my rationale re landline vs netline; it's all relative, yes? Each of us have our own special ideas on the subject. Whatever choices one makes is their prerogative, of course. .....b

[SteveZ]

.....If my next door neighbor needed to call me...s/he would have to pay long distance charges.

I couldn't do that to my friends!

I guess it's simply a matter of cost-benefit. Paying Embarq $30-50 a month so that my friends don't (only if they also have Embarq) pay Embarq another couple bucks a month is a personal choice.

As we are seeing, the land-line phone as a stand-alone item is becoming a technology that is fading. There was a time when cellphones were rare and expensive - now every kid over 10 seems to have one. Television antennas were everywhere - now cable and satellite have replaced those antennas almost everywhere. Even the cable companies have bypassed the land-line phone network with their own systems.

Remember: party-lines, when phone numbers were a word followed by 5 numbers, you had to call the LD operator for an out-of-area call (and the cost was unbelievably high), when we didn't know there were such things as area codes, crank and rotary-dial phones?

In my house we also gave thought to the need for a 352 area code and decided it was not a necessity, as long as the phone service (as required by law) linked into the 911 network. I honestly don't know who among my "circle" may pay a per-minute rate for long-distance, but I know many who don't, as we are either using the same cell-provider or they too have an unlimited calling set-up.

As I head toward "fixed income," I'm very conscious of my recurring household costs and am looking at every way possible to limit those costs. I'm sure my "circle" is doing or has done the same. If the competitors to the Embarqs of the world can provide alternatives to the traditional "Ma Bell" sock-it-to-them phone company approach, they will get a shot for my business.

[islandgal]

I ditched Embarq as soon as I learned Comcast now has phone service here with unlimited free long distance calls.

[Donna]

wiw...

How much is Comcast, basic service...I HATE :edit: cell phones.. ::)

[islandgal]

Donna - I had Embarq phone and Dish Network (billed by Embarq) and Comcast internet.
When I switched to Comcast, I pay for one year $33 for each service - $99/month + taxes for all 3 services.
Comcast has deal for a long-term contract where you can sign up to keep the same introductory prices forever... however, because the phone system is new to the area, that service is not available yet - hopefully it will be after they become established here.


http://www.buycomcast.com/?cpao=111&kw=comcast%20.com&cpca=bc_cable&cpag=bc_cable_dotcom&ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=bc_cable_dotcom&ovcrn=comcast%20.com&ovtac=PPC&gclid=CJGnk83uqZQCFQZinAodjBA5gg

[Donna]

wiw..Thanks for the link...I will call tomorrow.. :bigthumbsup:

[Jullie]

We have lived in TV for 2 years. We never got a landline phone, just use cell phones and it works out great. ;D

[dadspet]

MagicJack seems to work good. Better quality the our Verizon Cell phone and when you connect a wireless phone to it you can have several extension connected to it ( important to us) and a good speaker phone for those family conversations back home. Their promises of more area codes seems to be a joke and its a clear draw back as well as having to have your computer up to use it (but it does take messages when your computer isn't up). You just can't come close to beating the price!

For snow birds/flakes its a real good phone consideration and a way to save those minutes you need on cell phones.

[SteveFromNY]

For snow birds/flakes its a real good phone consideration and a way to save those minutes you need on cell phones.




Since this is an internet based phone, can a snowbird move it from one home to another?

[Harry]

Yes, magicJack is portable. You can use it anywhere and take it with you. We take it with us when we go north and use it at the motel (along with our laptop) at the motel by just plugging in the majicJack into our laptop's USB port and unplugging the motel's room phone from the wall jack and plugging in the motel's phone into the majicJack. Works great and best of all there are no charges from the motel because you are not using the motel's phone lines. :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:

[carlent]

because of this forum, I found out about Magicjack I ordered it and just did get it and got it up and tunnign in 10 min...simple and clear and will save a lot of money. $20 a year is all is costs. We all might want to look at this.
There are no area codes for TV...closest is Orlando but that does not matter. if you have a lot of friends in TV that call....you can use your cell. But for out going long distance this will save big bucks. And for all other incoming that do not live in TV

Carlent

[Harry]

It is true there is no local area code for magicJack at TV. What we do when someone calls us is to return the call so all they have to pay for is 1 minute of long distance on their phone bill. With magicJack there are no long distance charges. We are going to buy our grand daughter a magicJack so she can take it with her when she goes to college. Don't know if she will call us more often but at least we know she won't run up minutes on her cell phone or land line at college.

[conn8757]

I ordered MagicJack too - hope it works like everyone says. I am in Orlando, so it should.

[carlent]

8757

It will work like a charm wherever you are. Keep us posted

Carlent

[Shirleevee]

I bought Magic Jack for TV....am using it here in NY and cannot believe how well it works. It took all of five minutes to install. Just a note, I have automatic updates for Windows Vista and when it updates and my computer restarts. I must reconnect the magic jack. Easy to do.

Shirleevee

[chelsea24]

Donna, we use Voice Pulse, which is much like Vontage, Comcast, or Embarq.. We carried our two numbers with us from Illinois and had a 3rd "virtual" number put on with a Florida exchange. Plus, one of our lines we did turn into a landline for our fax machine. They have tons of features, and we only pay about $60 a month.

My only encounter with MagicJack was with Nonie. She has one and says she gets a lot of feedback. I know when we talk, she says she hears an echo on her end. I don't know because I don't own one.

I'm with you, I couldn't use my cell phone all the time.

[Shirleevee]

If I lower the volumn on my computer, it stops the feedback.

Shirleevee

[dadspet]

WOW - The 352 area code finally made it to Pending Status in Florida for Magic Jack according to their web site. I guess there is still hope to get a 352 area code, but I'm not holding my breath.

[l2ridehd]

Magic Jack requires a quality high speed broadband connection. Mine works great in Virginia but has noise and hiss in TV. Comcast for both, but the line quality is not up to standards in TV for VOIP. I am sure it will get better over time. Magic Jack is only $20 a year and has all the features of vonage or any other VOIP provider. I will tolerate the hiss until they improve the quality of comcast in TV. Saves me $500 a year.

[dadspet]

My MagicJack works great (most of the time)! There are some periods when its cuts in and out but in general it has no hiss and I think its a lot better than our Verizon cell phone service here. We are connected wireless to a router also.

[swrinfla]

I've known for years that I was behind the power curve!

I bought my very first cell phone less than a month ago. Its technology blows my mind! I bought the bare bones lowest cost plan, because I seldom use the cell phone, and my long distance calls are few and far between. The only reason I even fell to the pressures was that I was traveling and meeting family at uncertain and unpredictable times, thus, a means of "instant" communication was needed!

My daughters are all far enough away that long-distance calling is a factor. But, today, 90% or more of our conversations are through e-mail, so who needs "an affordable long-distance calling plan?"

SWR

[dadspet]

??? I've noticed that the MagicJack Pending Area code for 352 is listed as Gainsville, Florida.
Does it make a difference as long as you have a 352 area code - can others with out long distance call this as a local number since it will have a 352 area code ? I was thinking as long as it was 352 you wouldn't have to dial the 352 from another 352 number and it would be local ?

[railroader12]

Donna good question, Brightsopt, thanks for the info. My wife is calling her sister every night while were here on our cell phones and the reception stinks.(Sprint) And I don't thing her sister has Long Distance. Comcast seems to have a good deal going for now, and I think that's way I'll go for the first year. But I can't see paying Direct TV a whole year to watch my Philadelphia Eagles for 4 months. Thanks.

[JohnN]

Beachguy,
But if you got the NFL, not only could you watch the Eagles, but I could come over and watch the Bears! LOL...

[dadspet]

Had wrong area code in Subject - type.
Any one know if all 352s Area codes are local?

[villages07]

dadspet,

From a landline with a 352 area code, not all 352 #s are local. From here in TV with one of the common local exchanges (e.g. 430, 259, 750, 753) you can dial within TV, Leesburg, Wildwood, etc as local. Most Ocala 352 #s are LD. The "local" calling area is pretty limited.

If the MJ 352 # is Gainsville based exchange(s) then it would be a long distance call from TV 352 #s.

I'd rather call an out of state area code (my LD plan is 2.5 cents/minute) versus in state non local # (9 cents/minute).

[dadspet]

That stinks!
I thought I was doing good getting a Fl Area code to begin with and hoping to change it to a 352 Area Code when it became available. But if its Long Distance from TV, since its looks like it will be a Gainsville Area Code, I don't think I will.

[jerseygirl008]

Donna: I just decided to go with the Comcast Triple Play for landline (unlimited LD), high speed internet, and High Def. basic TV (79 channels). I pay $116/mth as I had to pay about $7/mth xtra for the high def. I find this the easiest for me, right now. When I arrive in TV and get more education, I may switch. But for me, this was the easiest and most cost effective. I talk on the phone alot (my sister, my friends, my kids) and I despise having a cell phone attached to my ear. So, for me, this made perfect sense. Hope this helps.

[pili]

Is anyone using Comcast for phone service? If yes, are you happy with it? We are building in Hemingway and the first person I spoke to at Comcast told me they didn't phone service at my address. I later spoke to a different rep and he told me I could get it. I can get phone, cable, and wireless network for $119/month for a year. This is a lot cheaper than Comcast for cable and wireless and Embarq for phone. Embarq was $47 plus tax.

Anyway, I'm supposed to hear from Comcast about installation and number next week but I would like some references from users. Thank you.

Pili

[samhass]

Some of the local sports pubs carry the games. Go Eagles!!!





Donna good question, Brightsopt, thanks for the info. My wife is calling her sister every night while were here on our cell phones and the reception stinks.(Sprint) And I don't thing her sister has Long Distance. Comcast seems to have a good deal going for now, and I think that's way I'll go for the first year. But I can't see paying Direct TV a whole year to watch my Philadelphia Eagles for 4 months. Thanks.

[jojo]

We have the triple play Comcast and the phone service is fine. What I don't like is that frequently I have to reset the modem for the high speed service. Comcast told me the problem is due to my having my own wireless router equipment. I wouldn't have the problem, they say, if I used their equipment and rented their modem at $2 a month. Sometimes I have to unplug the modem and router three times a week. I told them I never had a problem with Time Warner Roadrummer up north.

[pili]

Is anyone using Comcast for phone service? If yes, is it working OK? They have a good package of cable, phone, and wireless. It is cheaper than using Embarq for phone and then Comcast for cable and high speed. I'll appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

Pili

[islandgal]

pili -

I have had the Comcast package for 2 months and am very pleased. I originally had Embarq and Direct TV and already had Comcast internet.

The $99/month for the 3 services and the unlimited long distance phone service is great.

[pili]

Thank you...thank you. I'm still waiting to hear from Comcast. Our home is in Hemingway and while TV Comcast person told me I couldn't have phone service the Comcast rep told me it is available. I called Comcast this morning (because they had not called me back)and they said "yes" but they need to get info for something before they could set up the number. I will be using Comcast router so I shouldn't have problems with wireless. Thank you for replies.

Pili

[JohnN]

jojo - you said "Comcast told me the problem is due to my having my own wireless router equipment. I wouldn't have the problem, they say, if I used their equipment and rented their modem at $2 a month. Sometimes I have to unplug the modem and router three times a week. "

I was just on the phone with Comcast for installation. The modem is a couple bucks a month. But when I asked if they have "their equipment" for a wireless router, they said no.
So I'm a bit confused on what causes the problem and how to resolve it.

[l2ridehd]

I have comcast and my own wireless router. Have had to reboot it once in many months. And even then I am not 100% sure that was the problem as I also rebooted the laptop at the same time. Any decent wireless router should work with comcast as well as there equipment. I have a Linksys in VA, a Belkin in TV and both work well with no problems. I can be any where in the house and it works great. I just finished rebuilding the humidifier on my furnace and it was great to just take the laptop there, bring up the manuals from the web site and see everything in the book as I was doing the rebuild. Did the same thing installing a new part on the motorcycle. Laptop in the garage on the bench as I did the work with the web site up. Technology is great.

[jojo]

My router is Netgear and it worked flawlessly in Ohio. Just returned from a business trip and again had to go through the unplug routine. I didn't make notes but they gave me a price for their router and then as you said quoted $2 a month for the modem. I find I spend a long time on hold when I call Comcast or I would see if I could talk to someone else.

[vtcyclist]

Does anyone know if Comcast phone service is available in Hemingway, we're on Alcove Loop. I'm hearing conflicting responses. From Comcast and neighbors.

[Sidney Lanier]

We too have the Embarq basic local phone for $27/month for all incoming and local outgoing calls.

Our MagicJack has a 352 exchange, though it's not a local number. It works flawlessly most of the time, and it's plugged into a computer with a wireless connection. I just bought a long ethernet cable on ebay (about $6 with free shipping) and expect that it will work even better connected directly to the router. Yesterday the MJ phone rang, much to my surprise; I had phoned our son's cell, and he simply called back without even noticing what number he was calling. For the price, extremely impressive!

I helped friends set up a wireless router when they had Comcast and had nothing but problems--and no cooperation from Comcast. They switched to DSL (which is what we have too) and, once up and running, has been working great.

[SteveFromNY]

We too have the Embarq basic local phone for $27/month for all incoming and local outgoing calls.

Our MagicJack has a 352 exchange, though it's not a local number. It works flawlessly most of the time, and it's plugged into a computer with a wireless connection. I just bought a long ethernet cable on ebay (about $6 with free shipping) and expect that it will work even better connected directly to the router. Yesterday the MJ phone rang, much to my surprise; I had phoned our son's cell, and he simply called back without even noticing what number he was calling. For the price, extremely impressive!

I helped friends set up a wireless router when they had Comcast and had nothing but problems--and no cooperation from Comcast. They switched to DSL (which is what we have too) and, once up and running, has been working great.


We ditched Embarq after we took the house out of the rental program. Found ourselves primarily using cells. I found the idea of paying for long distance very annoying - I've had unlimited long distance for many years on any of the plans I've had in NY. On the cells, LD is free.
We have Comcast for TV and Internet. I am really unhappy with the TV - there are so few channels compared to Verizon FIOS which we have at the house in NY. I am considering Direct TV and will look into it soon.
Comcast Internet is configured with a Netgear wireless router, which has worked flawlessly.
We bought a Magic Jack as I liked the idea of having a land line. It's a 407 number as they weren't yet offering 352's when we got it. It's plugged into one of the USB ports on the computer. It has worked OK, but it occasionally takes a few seconds to get dial tone. You also need to leave the computer on for the phone to work, so there's a hidden cost in power consumption in addition to the $40 per year. But in all it's a great buy and a really good way to get a phone number. I haven't done it yet, but expect that as I snowbird back and forth, I can bring the Magic Jack and receive calls in NY on the FL number.

Sidney, how much is Embarq and DSL for the internet? With that and Direct TV I could get rid of Comcast altogether, and potentially save a few bucks.

[l2ridehd]

I use the magic jack for phone service. Just renewed the service for 5 years for $59, so now less then $12 a year. I take the MJ with me when I travel, unplug the hotel phone and plug in and have free LD then as well. Most hotels now have free wi fi. I bring it home for me to have FL calls follow me. Voice mail comes in my e-mail as a wav file.

I set my laptop to never shut down, just use the screen saver and let the hard drive stop so the phone always works. I happen to have an old laptop I use just for the MJ and leave it in FL.

Great invention, works well, and very cost effective.

[TallerTrees]

This talked me out of MagicJack: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/320/ripoff0320581.htm

Also, I do not want to have to get new phone numbers because MJ is unable to port.