Share jimbo63's profile
jimbo63
jimbo63's stats
- Review count1
- Helpfulness votes4
- First reviewOctober 11, 2009
- Last reviewOctober 11, 2009
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating5
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
Answers
- Answer count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First answerNone
- Last answerNone
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
jimbo63's Reviews
This hub works with your high-speed Internet and your home phones to deliver VoIP phone services and supports up to 4 Ooma Telo handsets. With easy setup, you can enjoy unlimited U.S. calling and low international rates.*
Posted by: jimbo63
from Chicago, IL
When Ooma started out a few years back, they were pitching "free" phone service. The government regulators have since caught up with them, and new customers must now pay a $11.75/year regulatory fee after the first year of use. Not free any more, but pretty darn close. (BTW, Ooma doesn't get this money -- it's a tax.) With this "basic" level of service, you get virtually unlimited calling in the US (I think there is a 5000 min/month limit to prevent commercial use), and incoming caller ID (number only). Some people have complained that features such as voice mail and caller ID name are not included in the "basic" service, but try getting phone service for under $1 a month from any other POTS or VoIP provider!
What makes Ooma great for me is the Premier service. You get this service FREE for 60 days after you activate your Telo, and it runs $120/year thereafter. For $10/month, look at what you get:
* "Instant" Second Line (during a call, anyone else in the house can pick up another handset and get a fresh dial tone)
* Caller ID w/Name
* Enhanced Voice Mail with web/remote access, email notification, etc.
* Multi-Ring and Call Forwarding
* Call Screening and "Do Not Disturb" functions
* BLACKLISTS! Add a number to your personal blacklist and they'll never ring through again! There is also a "community blacklist" with known telemarketers blocked.
* Customer Support via forums, email, and telephone
* Free Number Port OR Free Handset
* "Instant" Second Line (during a call, anyone else in the house can pick up another handset and get a fresh dial tone)
* Caller ID w/Name
* Enhanced Voice Mail with web/remote access, email notification, etc.
* Multi-Ring and Call Forwarding
* Call Screening and "Do Not Disturb" functions
* BLACKLISTS! Add a number to your personal blacklist and they'll never ring through again! There is also a "community blacklist" with known telemarketers blocked.
* Customer Support via forums, email, and telephone
* Free Number Port OR Free Handset
The Ooma Telo itself is one stylish box. I love the black finish and the cool blue glow! Set up was easy -- plug it in between your broadband modem and your router/computer, and it configures itself for your network automatically. You can also place the Telo behind your router (but then you should probably configure router QoS to give voice traffic higher priority than data). I've tried it both ways, and the Telo works great -- I get great call quality even with concurrent internet use.
If you are considering replacing your current home phone service, you should strongly consider Ooma. I've used Comcast digital voice, Vonage, and AT&T CallVantage VoIP services in the past. Despite the up-front equipment cost, Ooma offers better features and great call quality at a MUCH lower overall cost. I'm VERY happy with Ooma!
If you are considering replacing your current home phone service, you should strongly consider Ooma. I've used Comcast digital voice, Vonage, and AT&T CallVantage VoIP services in the past. Despite the up-front equipment cost, Ooma offers better features and great call quality at a MUCH lower overall cost. I'm VERY happy with Ooma!
What's great about it: Plug & play, great voice quality, calling features w/premier, cheap VoIP
What's not so great: touchpad buttons lack tactile/audio feedback
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5
Performance
5
Share this review:
+3points
4of 5voted this as helpful.
jimbo63's Review Comments
jimbo63 has not submitted comments on any reviews.
jimbo63's Questions
jimbo63 has not submitted any questions.
jimbo63's Answers
jimbo63 has not submitted any answers.