Replace Your Landline With MagicJack? - Comments Page 1
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I am DEAF do not use a cell, I have DSL so still have to pay, I see no saving to use magic jack |
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I tried it a number of years ago after reading that you could port your phone number to it and confirming with their people that this was true. It isn't really true. You can port your phone number *ONLY IF* it is in one of the exchanges that they bought numbers in or that they have agreements with the phone companies that own them. That is the first three digits of your seven digit number. They were assigned to phone companies by geographic areas, until the cell phone era when special exchanges were set up for them. It took a lot of discussions with them to find out that their statements about porting land line numbers (it was needed in this case) were false except in a few cases. |
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Your article does not touch upon 911 calling ability. My understanding is that this is NOT available or if it is, the service is not so good as the normal land lines'. Am I wrong? Thanks. |
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Magic Jack sucks! I tried for 3 months to move my number from Verizon. They were both incompetent and liars. All MJ would say is the number is not moved and we don't know why. Eventually I moved my number to Comcast VOIP. Took one phone call and 20 minutes. If anyone is interested I have a Magic Jack collecting dust. FREE |
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I'm an American living in Bali. I got the 5 year plan years ago before I left the U.S. I didn't use it much when I first got here because originally the computer had to be on to use it. Now it's a whole new ball game. You can plug it into your modem and hook it up to your cordless phones or even old house phone and you are good to go. Even better MJ now has a smartphone app that is just awesome. Download this app and get and make calls right from your smartphone. From Bali with my local 4G LTE service I can call anyone in the U.S.or Canada for free. 4G LTE gets it done. Sometimes it can be choppy but for the money it is awesome. Wouldn't change back to anything else on a bet. |
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I have used magicjack for more than five years. At first there were a few problems. I have WiFi and cable. I use it on my android tablet. I also use Freedompop away from home. |
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I have Ooma but don't like the 4.95 a month charge. How does magic jack compare? |
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On the other hand, here one needs the phone line to get the internet service so all one saves is the long distance fees and the cell phone handles that. |
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Tried Magic Jack a couple of years ago. Had problems with poor sound quality, dropped calls. There is a fee to cancel Magic Jack if you want to move your phone number!! Beware! I paid the fee, went to Ooma; much improved sound quality on calls. Yes, Ooma is 4.95/mo for taxes but worth it. |
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I have been using Magic Jack for about 9 years. And aside from a few dropped calls in the beginning I have no issues with it. I opted for the $99 for 5 year plan with free battery charger. I started with the regular MJ, then went to MJ Pro now I have MJ Go. No regrets in dumping ATT landline. I really can't tell any difference between the two. I give it thumbs up. |
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If you are considering Magic Jack, I recommend that you also look at Ooma. A few years back, I tried both services and concluded that the sound quality and reliability of Ooma was superior. Since then, MJ may have improved their service. I've been using VoIP service for at least 10 years now and am very happy of it. It really makes no economic sense for consumers to use landlines anymore. |
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In response to Dave Jeffries. I am in the same situation, as far as having to have a phone line for internet service, however, you can drop the phone portion of that bill and switch to VOIP or other alternate phone service (I have Straight Talk). Dropping the ATT package and keeping DSL made for a significant savings, for me, even with the cost of alternate phone service. Take a look at what you pay just for the internet, add to that whatever alternate phone service you like and compare the result to your current phone bill. I think you'll find a significant difference in your favor. |
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I've had a Magic Jack for 5 years so far and like it overall. There are sometimes minor issures with flutter/choppy sounding TX, but I think thats a issue with my ISP. I have heard others complaining about PCI Broadband fluttering issues. The RX side is clear as a bell all the time. I recommend Magic jack. |
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Besides MagicJack, consider some of the similar services out there. I used MagicJack when it first came out -- at that time it needed a Windows computer for it to be accessed thru -- and found that was a real pain. I went with NetTALK. Both these are constantly updating and improving features. I use the NetTALK Duo for a FAX line, and it works great. When I set that up, as far as FAX went, MagicJack said it wouldn't work, and NetTALK said "why not?". But, I have a neighbor who uses MJ on a FAX machine without a problem. Compare MagicJack to some of the other competition out there and see which would fit your needs the best. |
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To Clyde (et al.): do a search for CaptionCall (exactly as typed.) If you qualify, you can get this telephone at no charge under the Disabled Americans Act (or whatever the correct name is. I can't use Magic Jack because my hearing is very poor--even with hearing aids.I do not know if Magic Jack and CaptionCall are compatible. CaptionCall does not provide the landline service which is required. You do not need a special provider for your phone. |
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I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned using Google Voice with an old Magic Jack. There is free software that you need to download which make your VOIP service totally free. I've been using it for 3 or 4 years with no problems and they even support 911 |
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Just thought you might like to know of my sisters bad experience with Magic Jack. She had calls fade out and the constant buzzing got worse during the day. She got rid of it after two and a half days. I am glad others have better experiences than she. |
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I suppose MJ can work, but I tried the original, and later tried MJ GO; I never was able to receiver calls on either, and MJ customer service could not make them work either. I suppose the problem was porting, because MJ kept telling me it had been ported, but ATT told me it had never been ported when I went back. It doesn't matter how cheap it is; if MJ can't make their own product work, I don't need it or the aggravation. |
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For those who live in an area with virtually no cell reception inside, MJ might be worth it. However, I found out it does not work well when using automated voicemail systems that require you to press additional numbers. In particular, I tried to use MJ to refill prescriptions, and when I had to enter the prescription number, it refused to work. |
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I have multiple MJ's across the world. With family in Israel, Colombia, Costa Rica. Have had service since the early days (over 5 years). Other than the power supply going out and having to be replaced, have not had any issues. |
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