ooma Hub - VoIP Phone Device with No Monthly Phone Service Bills

Ditch your landline!

As a girl in her late twenties...I've never had a landline. I've always only used a cell phone. During a recent move, I realized that my cell phone doesn't get good reception in my house. Rather than getting a landline (SO last century), I decided I would look into newer technology by using my internet connection.

I've been very happy with Ooma. If you're worried about making 911 calls during a power outage, just use your cell. Plus, if anyone ever cut your phone line, you still have a line to use. I've been using my Ooma for several months now, and have had no problems at all. Plus, I get an email on my Blackberry every time a message is received at home!

I am still waiting, 6 weeks after paying for and submitting a request to port my landline phone # to Ooma, for it to be done. Oooma is NOT very helpful is this process and will not tell me how much longer it will take. I cannot even return the equipment for a refund since the 30 day return policy is expired. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Once we figured out the install, which was a bit tricky with our Apple network, this phone was great. Incoming and outgoing calls all work fine, and voice quality is comparable to Vonage. We also have not noticed any performance degradation on our Internet access or on our network itself.

We haven't tried any of the pay services yet, which include three-way calling, international calls, etc. But we don't have much use for these; we're a basic-service kind of family, and with the Ooma this includes voice mail that can be accessed either by phone or by computer with the Ooma lounge.

For us, this is a nice system. Saves us money. Covers all our bases.

Just received my "OOMA" and let me tell you - it's fantastic. Setup took me 10 minutes. Here are the steps:

1-Unpack OOMA.
2- Log into ooma.com and enter your MAC address (located on the side of the box).
3- Select one of three methods. 1)Port your number ($40 charge) 2)Use your existing phone with OOMA 3) Select your very own number by entering your area code and prefix of the city you live in (or desire).
4- Enter all your personal info, used for registering and 911 emergency.
5- Enter a password.
6- Plug unit into live internet connection (modem, ethernet jack..etc).
7- Wait for blinking light to turn blue. Mine turned blue almost instantly.
8- Smile and dial.

Calls are clear, and have called out of state on multiple occasions. Be aware Canada IS NOT included in standard plan, however you can purchase minutes for international calls.

Voicemail works great, sort of like an answering machine. The message light on the unit will inform you that a message awaits. And, you can also log into OOMA lounge and listen to your messages from another location. Brilliant!

I have several adult children spread all over and not a one of them have a land-line phone. I find that this is pretty common now, especially with the under 30 set. Since they tend to move often and they ALL have cell phones, many of them do not have a conventional land-line phone. The problem with this is:

* Since they use their cell phone for every call their bill can be very high

* If they lose their phone or if it runs out of power, you have no way of reaching them, even if they are at home

* If they have several members in one house and you want to just call anyone who is at home you have to call everyone's cell phone, hoping that they are there

However, all of my sons (and I would guess most of the under 30 group) have highspeed internet connections in their home or apartment. This is a great item for them. I gives them the befefits of a "house phone" with out having to go old school and get a land-line. I gave this unit to one of my sons and they are very happy with it. Maybe a good going-back-to-school present for those away at college.