VOIP in 2023

[WartHog]

Searched & found some old threads on the subject of VOIP but the most recent was from 2021. Just got hooked up to a High Speed Wireless Broadband system that was recently installed in the Mobile Home Community that I live in. Am going to cancel my Fusion service with Sonic.net but want to keep my landline active. What's the best, least expensive way to go in 2023?

[yellowsulphur]

WiFi calling is what I use on my Android phone, sounds good.

[67Cuda]

If you're looking for an interface for a "land line", I use Ooma. Switch to Ooma, then Ooma to handset base unit. Is that what you're looking for?

[WartHog]

If you're looking for an interface for a "land line", I use Ooma. Switch to Ooma, then Ooma to handset base unit. Is that what you're looking for?

I guess - I have a 3 handset Panasonic system - would I be able to use it with the Ooma? Also, which Ooma box should I be looking for? Was hoping to find something used to save $. I see Ooma Telo's for under $25 on FB Marketplace.

[67Cuda]

I see Ooma Telo's for under $25 on FB Marketplace.

The Telo is the one I've had for 10 years. Still going. $25 seems reasonable. Current billing is $6.70 a month.

[OlderThanDirt]

The ooma teleo will work fine with your Panasonic phones. Your base station phone line needs to be plugged into the teleo, or you can use an ooma wireless adapter.

There is a onetime cost to port your existing number over to ooma. The base operating cost for the system is limited to local taxes, or you can splurge and add an additional line, voice mail, etc.

If you add a second line keep in in mind that phone numbers are recycled and you could get a real winner with a lot of telemarketing baggage.

[WartHog]

Thanks for the replies/info. Ordered a like new basic Ooma Telo off FB Marketplace for $31 shipped.

On using my existing Panasonic cordless phone system, will the answering machine still work?

[WartHog]

Also, on porting my landline number over to Ooma, they state - "You must port your phone number to Ooma before you can get rid of your landline. Number porting costs a one-time fee of $39.99 per number you wish to port, and is available in most areas. For customers that upgrade to an annual subscription to Ooma Premier you can port one number absolutely free.

Do NOT cancel your landline service until Ooma has completed your port, which typically takes 3 – 4 weeks from the time Ooma has all of your information. If you cancel your landline during the porting process, you may lose your landline service AND the phone number you are attempting to port."

My next renewal for my internet/phone service with Sonic.net is 8/8 so I guess that I'll have to pay it in order for Ooma to have time to port the phone number?

[LBDamned]

I had voip 'basic talk'... I'm convinced they sell the numbers to telemarketers... I changed my number three times - the first two, very limited number of people had the number but I got inundated with unknown calls... on the third number switch, I told no one the number and got random unknown calls daily.

I canceled the service recently - after years of using it.

Seemed a good idea as backup , but ultimately it's worthless.

[Dan_Eastvale]

I still have old fashion in the ground landline.

Works during power outage, internet outage, et al.

Back when I was in Eastvale, the Chino quake knocked cell service out for awhile. Landline worked.

Still use a heavy Western Electric 80s digital desk phone

Waste of money? Interesting how the service is still provided. For DSL users?

[OlderThanDirt]

Thanks for the replies/info. Ordered a like new basic Ooma Telo off FB Marketplace for $31 shipped.

On using my existing Panasonic cordless phone system, will the answering machine still work?

I set my ooma voice mail to answer after 6 rings and my Panasonic answering machine to answer after 4 rings. It works fine.

I have Ooma at three different locations and don?t get any spam calls on the Ooma numbers. I had a few return calls from people that called back when one of the numbers was spoofed, but that ended quickly.

However, I get a ton of spam calls on the number that I ported from my land line. This is the baggage that comes with a 30 year old number that was used everywhere and even shows up on the dark web. I only accept calls from numbers on my white list, so all the spam calls vaporize.

I also had a phone line through my cable company (Rectrum) and got nothing but spam calls after about a year. This line was unlisted and never used, so either Spectrum got hacked or they sell the numbers.

[67Cuda]

You can use the Panasonic answering machine as stated above. As for spam calls, I don't experience any of that. I guess it's the luck of the draw when getting a number.

[Mongo68]

I use magic jack. Just did it to keep the number