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What is VoIP?
Compare VoIP Companies and Rates
Residential Long Distance for Non-VoIP Customers
Meet Ooma
What is Ooma? Ooma is like a cross between Magic Jack and a Voip service. It is an always-on, unlimited US-calling phone device that works through a high speed internet connection. You buy the device for a one time purchase price and there are no ongoing monthly or yearly fees (international long distance rates apply).
Ooma Telo
The Ooma Telo sells for about $227 through Amazon and provides: unlimited US calling, voicemail accessible by phone or web, caller ID, call waiting, 911 emergency service and more. There are no monthly or yearly fees.
Ooma Hub
Ooma also has a product called the Ooma Hub for $214.95. It has the same features as the Telo above except it doesn't have an expandable USB port and it doesn't connect to the Ooma cordless phone (sold separately).
Ooma Scout
The Ooma Scout is an add-on product to the Ooma Hub that lets you add phone service to any phone jack in your home. It doesn't require a high speed internet connection, but you must have a Ooma Hub already connected to a high speed internet connection somewhere in the house. The Scout does not work with the Ooma Telo, only the Hub. It sells new at Amazon for $65.
Ooma Premier
For even more features, you can buy the Ooma Premier service for $119.99 a year or $9.99 a month and this gives more features such as: voice-to-email, a second line, three-way calling, call forwarding, multi-ring, custom ring, and more.
What is VoIP and How Does it Provide Home Phone Service?
VoIP Works Like a Regular Phone, but Uses the Internet
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, refers to telephone service that operates over a high speed internet connection rather than the copper phone lines that have traditionally provided home telephone service. There are many VoIP service providers, the most well-known of which is probably Vonage. Cable and satellite companies also now provide “digital” phone service which also uses VoIP technology. Digital phones and VoIP phones are synonymous. They both use the digital internet to convey voice communications.
Although VoIP may sound high tech, it is simple to set up and use. The service provider you select (your new phone company) will send a modem into which you connect your internet cable and a regular telephone. It works with a regular standard telephone, and making receiving calls is the same with VoIP as with any phone.
VoIP Offers Many Features, Nationwide Calling for Less
The biggest advantage to VoIP is the low cost. Typically VoIP phone service, or digital phone service from a cable or satellite provider, comes bundled with popular phone service features such as caller I.D., call waiting, voice mail and call forwarding. Almost all VoIP providers also charge one low flat rate for calls anywhere in the country, and in some cases unlimited calls to a selection of foreign countries.
If you have high speed internet service from a cable company or satellite provider and are still paying over $40 a month plus long distance to one of the old “baby Bells” for your home phone service it is a very good idea to compare the VoIP companies and plans below.
Click here to compare rates and plans from several VoIP companies
Out of State and International Phone Numbers Available
Many VoIP companies allow customers to choose a phone number from any city or state, and sometimes even from a selection of countries. Popular countries often include Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, El Salvador, Guatemala, Israel, Spain and more. With many of the VoIP companies listed here it is possible to a have a local U.S. number and a foreign phone number that both ring to one phone in your house. This means that friends and relatives in another country can call a local number (to them) to reach you! They will not have to pay international long distance to call you in the States. Please see below for countries, rates and details of the companies that offer this service.
Internet Outages, 911 Emergency Calls and VoIP Phones
Because VoIP uses the internet to connect calls, if your internet service goes down a VoIP phone won’t work. Although a cell phone or other phone will be needed for outgoing calls, almost all VoIP companies allow you to put a secondary number on file to which calls will be forwarded when the VoIP phone is unavailable.
VoIP providers and 911 emergency call centers already offer or are in the process of upgrading to E911 capabilities for emergency calls. E911 automatically transmits name, address and phone number information to the 911 operator during an emergency call. If E911 technology is not in place, it’s possible that the 911 operator might not automatically know the caller’s address if the caller is unable to speak. Address information provided the 911 operator will be what is on file with the VoIP company, therefore it is important to keep up to date address information on file with the VoIP service provider.
As new technology is adopted these situations are becoming increasingly rare and because most people now also have cell phones, few people should be completely without phone service or full 911 access.
Keep Current Phone Number
It is almost always possible to retain your current home phone number when obtaining new VoIP service or transferring between VoIP phone companies. At times it may take a few days or a week or more for the previous phone number to transfer. In the meantime you’ll be given a new phone number to give you immediate phone service while waiting for the previous number to be connected to the new account.
Does VoIP Work with DSL?
Yes, VoIP will work using a DSL internet connection. VoIP over a DSL line will work best if the upstream and downstream speeds are 64 kb/s or faster. Click here to test if your internet connection will work with VoIP.
Compare VoIP Companies and Rates
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Compare Residential VoIP Plans and Rates (rates do not include local or federal taxes and fees) |
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Click logo at right to visit company site |
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Plans and Rates |
Unlimited* World Select - $34.95 a month to call in US and countries below. Unlimited* N. America - $19.95 a month to call US, Canada and Puerto Rico. |
24 Months - $14.95 a month unlimited to US & Canada. 12 Months - $16.95 a month unlimited to US & Canada. Monthly - $19.95 a month, unlimited US and Canada 1 Yr. Prepay - $199.95/yr. |
Hello World - $21.95 a month, unlimited US & 30 countries below Hello America - $19.95 a month unlimited U.S. & Canada America (+Can.) 500-$14.95 a month America (+Can.) 250-$7.95 a month Talk 365-$195/year |
Freedom Unlimited US & Canada -$24.95 a month Freedom Unlt’d Global - $39.95 a month to 40 countries below Freedom Annual - $239.99/year |
Unlimited US & Canada - $24.99 a month, unlimited outgoing calls within local are only. Unlimited incoming. Out of area 2.5¢/min within US & Canada. Unlimited US, Canada and 21 International - $34.99 a month |
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Current Promotions |
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Buy 1 Yr. Prepay and Get 2nd Year Free! |
Only $4.95/month first 3 months for all plans above. Free activation on both Hello plans. |
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Countries included in international flat-rate plans above* |
Argentina-Buenos Aires, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil-Rio de Janerio, Canada*, Chile, China*, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong*, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Mexico - Mexico City, Mex - Monterrey, Mex. Guadalajara, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico*, Russia - St. Pete, Russia - Moscow, San Marino, Singapore*, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, U.S. incl. AK and HI, U.S. Virgin Islands*. *incl’ds cell phones |
Regular plans include US and Canada calls. Click on logo above to view international rates. |
HI, AK, USVI, PR, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Israel, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Finland, Austria, Norway, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Venezuela – Caracas, Mexico – Mexico City, Brazil – Rio de Janeiro, Argentina – Buenos Aires, and Russia – Moscow |
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Moscow-Central, Moscow-Suburb, St. Petersburg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. Asia: Australia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Latin America: Chile, Sao Paulo, Caracas, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara. |
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia-Moscow, Russia-St Petersburg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, China, South Korea |
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Click logo at right to visit company site |
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Company Name |
(see rates above) |
Phone Power (see rates above) |
(see rates above) |
(see rates above) |
My Phone Co. (see rates above) |
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Standard Features |
Speed dialing, call forwarding, simultaneous ring (rings home, work, cell at once), call waiting, caller ID, call return (*69), caller ID block, do not disturb |
Find me/follow me, simultaneous ring, online VM retrieval or VM to email, click to call (when in logged into My Acct), reject anonymous callers, call waiting ID, 3 way calling, call forwarding, speed dial, hold with music, DNDistrb (goes direct to VM), E911, O for operator service |
VM (by phone, web, email), 3-way calls, call wait, speed dial, call fwd, simultaneous ring, caller ID, reject anon. calls, DNDisturb |
Call waiting/call waiting off, call waiting ID, call forwarding, call blocking, 3-way calling, DNDisturb, anonymous call blocking, follow me, find me, simultaneous Ring, 7-digit local dialing
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VM by email, caller ID, call waiting, forwarding, 3-way, free calls to other MyPhoneCo customers, call transfer, DNDisturb |
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Unique Features |
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Free “cloned” line – use 2 phones at same time on 1 phone number |
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Additional Features |
Toll free number $9.95/mo + 2.9¢/min |
Toll free number $5/mo + 4¢ cents/min
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Toll free number $4.95/month + 100 minutes then 3¢/min International phone number - $10/month for: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada ($5), El Salvador, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom |
U.S. Virtual Number - $4.99/month + $9.99 activation. Toll free number $4.99/month for 100 minutes, then 4.5¢ per minute + $9.99 activation. International phone number - $9.99/month + $9.99 activation for: Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK |
Local Unlimited Plan $19.99/month, unlimited outgoing calls within area code (and local cell phone area codes if different). Unlimited incoming. Out of area 2.5¢/min within US & Canada. Toll free number $3.99/month for 100 minutes, then 3.9¢ per minute U.S. Virtual Number - $1.99/month
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Additional Details |
Average use considered 1000 outgoing minutes a month, repeated excessive overages may be charged at 2.9¢/min. |
Up to 5000 minutes/month, additional calls 2¢ /min |
Up to 5000 minutes/month |
US includes: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam |
No stated limit, but reserves right to review account for excessive or abusive use |
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Other Fees |
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Except for Hello Unlimited plans, $29.95 activation + $14.95 shipping charges apply. Upgrade or downgrade plan change fee $9.95 |
$29.99 activation fee |
$29.99 activation fee and $10 shipping |
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Service Term |
One year |
Varies by plan, see above |
Two years, auto renewal |
One year |
Month-to-month |
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Cancellation Fee |
$39.99 after 30 trial period |
$99 or the remainder of your contract amount, whichever is less |
$99.95 |
$59.99 |
$119 if router is not returned within 14 days of cancellation |
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E911 Service** |
No |
Yes |
Assume no, but E911 upgrade is in progress |
Yes |
Yes |
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*Countries in this field are the countries included in mult-country plans mentioned above. All the VoIP companies shown here allow international calling. Additional charges apply for calling cell phones in most countries. Click a company logo to see international rates and rates to cell phones for that provider. |
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**E911 service automatically transmits name, address and phone number to most 911 call centers. Without E911 this information might need to be provided by the caller. |
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Click company logos above for more information or call Communication HQ at 1-800-383-9545.
U.S.
Compare the two companies below against your current long distance company to find potential savings. When signing up with these discount direct dial long distance the rates they become your default residential long distance company. Direct dial means when you pick up the phone and dial 1+area code, or 011 + country code for international call, the calls will automatically be connected through the company selected. There are no dial around or access codes required prior to dialing the number. These two companies also offer calling cards that let you bill calls from other phones to your existing account. These calling cards are useful when making long distance or international calls from phones such a cell phone, work phone, pay phone, friend’s phone or hotel phone.
Becomes Home Phone Domestic and International Long Distance Company
Signing up for one of these companies means transferring your home long distance service from your current residential long distance carrier. Before switching to Covista or Opex it is a good idea to ask your current long distance company if there you are under contract and if there are any fees associated with changing long distance companies. To learn who your current home phone long distance company is dial 1-700-555-4141 and listen to the name announced. To find out who the long distance provide is for in-state calls dial 1+area code 555-4141.
Compare International Long Distance Rates
A few commonly called countries are selected below for comparison purposes. Click the logo or links to the site to see all international rates. Remember, in many countries there is a surcharge to call a cell phone. This is due to the fact that many international cell phone users do not pay for incoming calls, a practice known as “calling party pays”.
Separate Long Distance Services Not Needed with VoIP
It is not necessary to sign up with a separate long distance company if you have or are considering VoIP residential phone service. The VoIP phone company will become your local and international long distance provider.
Covista Domestic (within
Covista Domestic Long Distance and Calling Card Rates Intrastate calls, calls from one state to another, are only 2.5¢ per minute. There is no annual contract or activation fee. They also offer a calling card option that can be used from any phone when away from home to have long distance calls applied to your Covista Communications account. There is a one-time $2.00 activation fee per calling card.
Covista Communications Sample of International Rates (per minute)
France landline 6¢/min.
France cell 38¢
Mexico D.F. y Zonas Conurbadas 6¢
Mexico Guadalajara, Jal. y Zonas Conurbadas 6¢
Mexico Monterrey, N.L. y Zonas Conurbadas 6¢
Billing Minimum
Customers who pay by monthly invoice will incur a $1.99 billing fee if usage is less than $20 that month. Customers who pay by credit card have no minimum usage requirement or monthly fee.
For complete international rate information or click here to visit the Covista website or call CommunicationHQ at 1-800-383-9545.
Opex Long Distance Service for Home or Business – When signing up with Opex, Opex will become the default long distance provide for your home or business phone. Before switching to Opex we recommend contacting your existing long distance company to learn if additional notification is required and if there is a charge to switch to Opex. Switching service to Opex and activating Opex calling cards takes 5 - 7 business days.
Opex Domestic (within
Opex Calling Card Rates There is a one-time set up fee of $0.99 for a calling card. Rate for domestic calls is $0.149 per-minute. There is a $0.35 surcharge when used from a payphone.
Billing
There is a fee of $2.50 if the monthly charges are under $20.00 in a month. Online and paper billing are free, however online and paper billing costs $1.99 per month.
Opex Communications Sample of International Rates (per minute)
France landline 3.9¢/min.
France cell 19¢
For complete international rate information or click here to visit the Opex website or call CommunicationHQ at 1-800-383-9545.