Not Quite So Free Phone Service

Not Quite So Free Phone Service was Originally Posted on November 17, 2012 by lavarock

I have mentioned getting an Obihai device for $50 or more and getting free telephone service through GoogleVoice. That is a great way to get ervice but some people may not be able to get a phone number in their area (Google for example does not support numbers in Hawaii).

Another alternative is an Ooma (available at COSTCO and elsewhere) where you spend over $150 for the equipment and then generally just pay fees like tax for your phone service.

Both of those services require a high speed internet service.

A neighbor needed phone service and was unable to get internet service where he lives. The only solution we could come up with was to go to the Verizon store and buy a wireless unit (essentially a cell phone without the phone) that he could use to give him home phone service via a cell connection. The drawback to that is that the equipment costs and then he had a 2 year contract he was tied into.

So lets say that you want a phone service that has unlimited US calling, one that you can get a new number or port your existing home phone number to, will work if the power fails (*conditions apply), has a one time purchase fee, and has service cost of about $15 a month. The service rides on the Verizon cellphone network, so if you have Verizon cell coverage in your area, just place this near a window, wire it to 1 or 2 phones or use a cordless phone with it.

http://www.straighttalkhomephone.com/

These may be available at Walmart in your area and you should be able to try one and return it if it is not for you. I have not used one, but Clark Howard, the consumer guy has used one for a few months and has never had any problems with it.

Since it uses cellphone towers, as long as it is powered with electricity (like a UPS) and has either hardwired phones that don’t need power, you will still have phone service. The problem with something like cable internet for phone service using VOIP is that your device, the home router and the cable amplifiers along the way all have to have power to get you a dial tone in a power outage.

So for $99 for equipment and $15 a month, this Straight Talk solution (with no contract) may be for you.