VoIP - Thoughts and Opinions

[vtpoker]

After a decade of talking to the Mrs., she has finally agreed to cut the cord. I am debating getting rid of our landline and using VoIP - I like having a home phone and not a cellphone.

Anyone use any specific VoIP service? If you do, what are your pros and cons with it.

I am looking to have just internet, VoIP, then my Netflix and Amazon Prime and we will be just fine. I will grab an OTA antennae for sports and that is about it for us.

[Shadow]

I had a 3rd party VOIP line for a while, and have had ATT Uverse VOIP since. The phone service provided by all the ISPs is nothing but VOIP. It works just fine. You might have service degradation if your internet has high demand (streaming, etc), but it's unlikely.

Be aware, the biggest drawback is you will have no phone if your power/cable/internet is out. With POTS, the line provides it's own power so you still (generally) have phone service if your local power is out.

[vtpoker]

I understood that, we both have cellphones so in case of an emergency we could use those. I just like having a house phone, that way we have a central phone in the house.

Thanks for the info.

[Doctor_XXX]

^^^
Not a major thing (until it is...) but, have they figured out the e911 part of VOIP yet? Meaning, if you dial 9-1-1 on your VOIP line, does the emergency system know WHERE you are, your home address, for example?

For a while this seemed to be a major stumbling point with many VOIP services. I'd think there would be a simple fix or workaround, but hadn't heard any recent updates. Just curious.

[vtpoker]

The e911 service is part of most VoIP packages automatically now. That is a concern of mine as well. I've seen VoIP services like Ooma have a solid e911, and other features as well.

[vtpoker]

Looks like I am going with the Ooma Telo system. Tons of solid reviews and can use their free service for taxes and fees. I will report setup and quality in a week or two when we switch to just internet services.

[jrees]

I just installed an ooma on Monday. Seems pretty sweet but I'm not using it all until my number ports over. I did test it out thought the quality was excellent.