Assorted-Reference.Voip-topics-intro-2-ata-landline-alternatives History
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November 20, 2008, at 01:49 PM
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Changed line 21 from:
* You get a Canadian "Big City" phone number for $8.88 per month (possibly less, depends on your usage patterns) (includes Caller ID and VoiceMail)
to:
* You get a Canadian (or American, or .. elsewhere) "Big(*) City" phone number for $8.88 per month (possibly less, depends on your usage patterns) (includes Caller ID and VoiceMail)
Changed lines 29-31 from:
* Payment for service is typically via "top up of account" from Visa or other money source.
to:
* Payment for service is typically via "top up of account" from Visa or other money source.
(*) service coverage / area codes available for phone numbers vary with service provider. You may have to shop around to get a number in an area code that interests you specifically.
(*) service coverage / area codes available for phone numbers vary with service provider. You may have to shop around to get a number in an area code that interests you specifically.
November 20, 2008, at 01:40 PM
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Added line 28:
* note there are lots of other vendors (Linksys/Sipura among them) who produce / rebadge these "magic ATA BlackBoxes" - available via mail order, ebay, etc.
November 20, 2008, at 01:40 PM
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Added lines 1-28:
!!!! Local Phone Line - Second Line or Replacement Line:
--------
'''PROS:'''
* Excellent long-distance rates (~1.1c/min to North America)
* Excellent quality line
* Per-month fees are much lower than "traditional landline" ($8-10 per month)
* You use a regular telephone in the normal manner (in conjunction with a "magic blackbox" and hi-speed internet)
* People you are calling are on regular telephones, and don't know you are using VOIP.
'''CONS:'''
* Setup of the "magic blackbox" (similar product to a home firewall router unit) is not trivial but only must be done once fortunately.
* Requires that you have high-speed internet access
* Account setup is semi-complex seeming, and per-minute billing for all calls can be somewhat confusing. (Again, really - only must be done once, then you are all set).
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'''EXAMPLES AND COMMENTS:'''
'''[[http://les.net/products/product_ipdidcanada.php | Les.Net VOIP Provider ]]'''
* You get a Canadian "Big City" phone number for $8.88 per month (possibly less, depends on your usage patterns) (includes Caller ID and VoiceMail)
* People can call you on this number, your phone will ring.
* All outbound calls are billed from 1.1c/min (all of north america is same rate)
* overseas long distance rates are fantastic (2c/min to china for example)
* quality is excellent
* The so-called [[http://www.grandstream.com/ht486.html | "magic blackbox" ]] can be bought on Ebay for ~$50 USD (a one-time setup fee, effectively)
* [[http://www.grandstream.com/ht496.html | Multi-line BlackBox]] units are also available for slightly more, which easily allow 2 lines (Fax & Phone, or 2 phone lines - for example)
* Payment for service is typically via "top up of account" from Visa or other money source.
--------
'''PROS:'''
* Excellent long-distance rates (~1.1c/min to North America)
* Excellent quality line
* Per-month fees are much lower than "traditional landline" ($8-10 per month)
* You use a regular telephone in the normal manner (in conjunction with a "magic blackbox" and hi-speed internet)
* People you are calling are on regular telephones, and don't know you are using VOIP.
'''CONS:'''
* Setup of the "magic blackbox" (similar product to a home firewall router unit) is not trivial but only must be done once fortunately.
* Requires that you have high-speed internet access
* Account setup is semi-complex seeming, and per-minute billing for all calls can be somewhat confusing. (Again, really - only must be done once, then you are all set).
------
'''EXAMPLES AND COMMENTS:'''
'''[[http://les.net/products/product_ipdidcanada.php | Les.Net VOIP Provider ]]'''
* You get a Canadian "Big City" phone number for $8.88 per month (possibly less, depends on your usage patterns) (includes Caller ID and VoiceMail)
* People can call you on this number, your phone will ring.
* All outbound calls are billed from 1.1c/min (all of north america is same rate)
* overseas long distance rates are fantastic (2c/min to china for example)
* quality is excellent
* The so-called [[http://www.grandstream.com/ht486.html | "magic blackbox" ]] can be bought on Ebay for ~$50 USD (a one-time setup fee, effectively)
* [[http://www.grandstream.com/ht496.html | Multi-line BlackBox]] units are also available for slightly more, which easily allow 2 lines (Fax & Phone, or 2 phone lines - for example)
* Payment for service is typically via "top up of account" from Visa or other money source.