New on 28 APR and need some info

[npwalters]

Hi,

Pam and Nick Walters here. We have been lurking for a few months and have picked up quite a bit of good information.

We will close on a home on De La Vista North later this month. I'm still working and we will not move for a few years. In the mean time we will rent it out seasonally and come down when we can.

I called 3 places today to arrange internet, TV, and phone. I haven't found anyone who provides all 3 as a package. So far I don't know who can provide a telephone land line. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[HiHoSteveO]

Lots of people here have avoided the "Triple Play" trap by using a VOIP solution like Ooma. Saves lots of $$

#1 Ranked Free Internet Phone Service | Ooma VoIP Phone (http://www.ooma.com/)

[Count'n the days]

Bright House provides our phone, TV, and internet services. If I recall correctly, there's no contract required. Rates have gone up recently, but they may still offer a reduced rate for new customers. We originally had problems with our wireless service but they finally worked it out. Not sure if it's available in all areas but it is available south of 466A.

[npwalters]

Thanks Days. Unfortunately they don't provide service in our area.

[npwalters]

Haven't used VOIP but that sounds like a good potential solution. Is the service "transparent" to the user. Asking because there will be renters in the house.

[villagetinker]

Comcast provides all 3 services, but requires a 2 year contract.

[obxgal]

Century link also provides all 3 services, not sure of contract time.
Also Welcome to the villages.

[npwalters]

Unfortunately Comcast does not provide phone in my area-just internet and cable....or so the zombie on the phone said today. I'll give CenturyLink a call tomorrow. Thanks!

[HiHoSteveO]

Haven't used VOIP but that sounds like a good potential solution. Is the service "transparent" to the user. Asking because there will be renters in the house.

Yes, you call out normally except you don't dial a 1.

You use your own phone (a regular standard one works fine or a cordless multi-phone set up also works fine)

[Barefoot]

Haven't used VOIP but that sounds like a good potential solution. Is the service "transparent" to the user. Asking because there will be renters in the house.

We use Magic Jack, another VOIP choice.

[dbussone]

An alternative to use, rather than an added phone service, is to tell your renters to use their cell phone. Many of us have already abandoned home phones and rely solely on our cell phones.

[kstew43]

We use Magic Jack, another VOIP choice.

we use majic jack as well.:bigbow:

[RickeyD]

An alternative to use, rather than an added phone service, is to tell your renters to use their cell phone. Many of us have already abandoned home phones and rely solely on our cell phones.



What I worry about when the landline is abandoned is the all important 911 call. 911 dialed even with no verbal communication will summon an emergency response directly to your house if a landline phone is used.

[kittygilchrist]

We use Magic Jack, another VOIP choice.

Me too. Totally satisfied.

[dbussone]

What I worry about when the landline is abandoned is the all important 911 call. 911 dialed even with no verbal communication will summon an emergency response directly to your house if a landline phone is used.



I agree. The problem is that VOIP services do not provide that security. Have you found a true landline here?

[Nucky]

Does the clapper activate an emergency call? Clap on Clap off Clap on Clap off The Clapper! Loved that commercial. The lady looked just like my beloved mother!

[RickeyD]

I agree. The problem is that VOIP services do not provide that security. Have you found a true landline here?



The only true landline is Ma Bell. It is true 911 and not subject to power outage.

[susieq31]

I have used both CenturyLink and Comcast. Tech support is a bit better with Comcast. Watch for special offers from both. Comcast often will not require a contract with their "specials". CenturyLink, on the other hand, often requires that you keep their service for a period of time to keep their "specials". CenturyLink also requires you to be much more "hands-on", which is great if you're technically-inclined.

[dbussone]

The only true landline is Ma Bell. It is true 911 and not subject to power outage.



Is Ma Bell here in TV? I haven't been able to locate her. What is her alias here?

[obxgal]

I agree. The problem is that VOIP services do not provide that security. Have you found a true landline here?

My landline is through Centurylink. I have 3 landline phones in my home.

[npwalters]

Good information all. I think we will go with Century Link or Comcast for the internet and TV and use VOIP for the phone. I hadn't considered VOIP even though that is what we use at work. Thanks for the advice.

[dbussone]

My landline is through Centurylink. I have 3 landline phones in my home.



If you lose power do your phones continue to work?

[RickeyD]

If you lose power do your phones continue to work?



A home UPS would solve this issue. Cable companies do not install battery backups in neighborhoods. A wide spread outage would loose so called landline service, which in fact it's not.

[dbussone]

A home UPS would solve this issue. Cable companies do not install battery backups in neighborhoods. A wide spread outage would loose so called landline service, which in fact it's not.

Thanks RickeyD!

[billethkid]

Ooma is a wifi based phone system.

So wifi or a router connection is the surce.

Yes it is transparent; no different than a land line phone. No difference in utilization. Cost is the big advantage. We went from almost $40 per month for land line phone to $3.25 with Ooma....unlimited anywhere in the USA.

[photo1902]

If you lose power do your phones continue to work?

Comcast XFinity offers a battery which plugs into the modem, which claims to provide up to 8 hours of phone line power. I purchased it not too long ago, and fortunately have not had to test it out yet.

[RickeyD]

Ooma is a wifi based phone system.



So wifi or a router connection is the surce.



Yes it is transparent; no different than a land line phone. No difference in utilization. Cost is the big advantage. We went from almost $40 per month for land line phone to $3.25 with Ooma....unlimited anywhere in the USA.



Suggest you read the Ooma disclaimer regarding 911 service. It is not a true landline.

[photo1902]

Suggest you read the Ooma disclaimer regarding 911 service. It is not a true landline.

Exactly, and I enjoy the peace of mind knowing that if I need to dial 9-1-1 and can't communicate for whatever reason, help will be dispatched. I know a lot of people have gone to cell phones, but the time it takes to contact the cell carrier and attempt to determine your precise location could literally cost you your life.

[Record10ti]

I also just moved into the Villages. As an IT Expert for a living, I did my due diligence in picking Comcast. CenturyLink and BrightHouse offer asymmetric DSL at very lost speeds (comparatively). While the fools at CenturyLink tried to claim that 25MBps was sufficient for "any home they ever heard of" is laughable, the 1.5MB upload is the biggest issue. If you want to do VOIP (dont get it from your provider), have a smart thermostat, cameras and or want to upload videos, music, images...it is simply too slow. So, I went to Comcast...got NO contract and two TV's on my package for right at $60 a month.

Do not get Comcasts cable modem (there are many reasons). Go to a computer store (MME or other locals) and get the lowest cost DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem that you can buy (about $60). From there, get a firewall and WiFi (I can go crazy there). The ROI on your own modem is just under six months.

But, if you are buddies with your neighbors, hop on theirs. You will anyway if you connect to XfinityWiFi as it is all over the Villages. My new neighborhood as 17 SSID's broadcasting, all corrupting each other and most of them are a waste of bandwidth.

[Record10ti]

That does not provide power to your LAN/WLAN or upir PC/Device. Realistically you are looking at a UPS of over $500 to offer you line interactive protection, power enough to run for 45+ minutes and configurable to shut things down. The WORST thing you can put on your computer is an un-configured UPS that will simply go low voltage and cause your system to melt is processors.

[LadyPenO]

Many folks in TV use their cell phone as their primary phone since most renters also have their own cell phone. I'm not familiar with renter's requirements, but the cell phone may be an option with a savings.

[tello2@comcast.net]

Had Comcast for many years. Internet was good but TV service lousy. Would spend 30 to 45 minutes on phone waiting for help.
Would not go back to Comcast tv even if it was free! Am happy with Direct TV, plus CenturyLink for Internet and phone. It is all bundled and billed by CenturyLink.

[cpbis]

The wave of the future is fiber optic cables. Only CenturyLink provides it in our area and they have several "bundle" programs. You will not see better reception and sound. Also, far better internet service due to fiber optics. I would stay away from Comcast because they keep raising prices and require to long of a contract. I would also stay away from Dish (look at the reviews on the internet). CenturyLink Prism is for tv and they also carry DirecTV. Welcome to The Villages.

[obxgal]

If you lose power do your phones continue to work?

Sorry it took so long to get back to you dbussone, I just noticed your question.

We've only lost power once down here and my phones still worked. We were able to call the electric company no problem.

When we lived in Kitty hawk NC we had several outages due to hurricanes and we had centurylink up there also and never lost the phones. The longest we were without power was 4 days. Our neighbors that evacuated kept in touch so we could update them. Luckily we were also in an area that had underground utilities.

[asianthree]

Unfortunately Comcast does not provide phone in my area-just internet and cable....or so the zombie on the phone said today. I'll give CenturyLink a call tomorrow. Thanks!

We do not use a land line. Everyone has a cell now a days

[CindyNah1]

Hi,

I called 3 places today to arrange internet, TV, and phone. I haven't found anyone who provides all 3 as a package. So far I don't know who can provide a telephone land line. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

I used Comcast. all of them have "horror" stories about service issues. the installation was a communication snafoo from PA where I moved from. otherwise It has been trouble free for 6 months. I like the village cable station that is available. guest find it a hoot
WELCOME to the villages

[obxgal]

We do not use a land line. Everyone has a cell now a days

We have 4 landlines in our house. Would not be without one.

We have a (basic) tracfone for emergencies only when on the road.