Will MagicJack Replace My Landline? - Comments Page 2

I get telephone and optical cable broadband from Virgin Media. Bizarrely, the cost of the two is less than the cost of broadband only. As Virgin Media has the fastest broadband speed in the UK, I have no desire to change my ISP so will continue to use my landline, which, incidentally, has advantages over VOIP as contributors above have stated. For VOIP, I have Skype.

in November 1999 I decided to give Magic Jack a try. I got the device and hoked it up and got it activated. The process was fairly quick and easy. Porting my existing phone number took a few days during which I had a 'temporary' phone number from Magic Jack. I suspect that the delay was waiting for my previous phone service to release the number (I canceled my phone service after setting up the Magoc Jack). Once that was done, it has been smooth sailing. If anyone wants to get home phone service for about $40.00 per YEAR, Magic Jack is a good and reliable choice. I am a very satisfied Magic Jack customer. Ernie

I have been looking at this for years and would like to use it. The problem is in order to use it I must have an internet connection. My internet is DSL via landline. If I eliminate the landline I eliminate my internet connection and therefor MJ would not work. I already have unlimited voice long distance with my cell service so MJ would be of no use there. I do not make international calls so MJ would be of no use there. I could use my cell for a hotspot to get internet access but the data cap is prohibitive. I like the MJ idea but it is not practical for me. I know it is not for everyone and perhaps someone reading my comments will get some additional ideas to evaluate MJ for themselves.

I work at a museum that had MJ. More often than not, I could hear callers but callers could not hear me, and visa versa. Additionally, the current time transmitted to CID is "eastern" time. I called MJ customer service to see how to change it to my time zone, I was told it could not be done.

I had Magic Jack for many years and never any problem. Then I went with Nettalk. If I remember correctly, it was because there was a special? I don't remember. Now I use Google Voice, which I hear that may be on the way out. So I downloaded Smart911 on my cell. So, in case Google ends the Voice, and I need my phone for an emergency, all my medical info and address will be on the screen at 911 when they answer. Haven't had a landline for over 20 years and have never missed it or needed it. I am hoping Google doesn't stop support for Voice, but I'm sure something else will pop up that is as convenient.

1. I see the MJ device pictured terminates in a USB plug. What do you plug it into? (see #2)
2. I have DSL internet through the phone company. The line from their box ends in a router from which an ethernet connection goes to the computer and a phone plug gives phone service. The only USB jacks I have are fed ultimately by the land line.
Any ideas on how I can stop paying the phone company for phone service, keep the internet and just use MJ?

I've used Magic with my fax machine for years. Never had any problems.

Yes, but in the Boston area, the Internet & TV suppliers price their plans so that it is cheaper to add telephone than to exclude that service. Since these are the big national suppliers,I expect this would be true all over the US.

I have been using MagicJack since 2014 in Alberta, Canada. I have had no problems whatsoever with service or quality from day one. I enjoy the savings especially when talking to relatives in Canada and the United States with no long distance charges. As a retired person the savings are most appreciated. Always enjoy your articles Bob.

I had a land line for years but finally just let it go. The only reason I miss the land line is for my Fax machine. Can I use MJ to fax?

To TOP SQUIRREL
With only ONE ethernet jack on your modem there is a workaround, but I really don't like it-more below.
The MajicJack device has three connections. The first will go to your phone and the second, an ethernet jack will go to the router. The third is indeed a USB, that usually connects to a supplied AC to USB power "supply". A few modern computers maintain USB power even if switched off, so that could save you using a separate power supply.
To connect the ethernet "permanently" you would need another device to share this connection. -an ethernet switch, or an old router that has been turned into a switch, through a change in its software configuration. Either of these devices also requires a separate AC power supply and that is what I don't like. I hate adding another vampire power device to the hoard I already have.
If you go for the old router you could easily add wireless capability to your household. Thrift store typically abound in old routers.

Magicjack does not have a local telephone number available in my town so my neighbour next door needs to pay long distance to call me. Any idea how I can get a local telephone number for my Magicjack? Thanks for the help.

Can you plug MJ to same router that your landline phone plug-in? And you use your MJ parallel with your landline phone?

I am currently using MJ without issue and would like to help my mom in California change to MJ.

Can you plug MJ to same router that your landline phone plug-in? And you use your MJ parallel with your landline phone?

I am currently using MJ without issue and would like to help my mom in California change to MJ.

Hi, i have a MajicJack connection and and using an app in my cell phone, i tried a lot to get it fixed with my drandsteam phone instrument, but am unable to do that, am ready to buy another phone instrument, but an not sure how to configure it. Am having a tough time using Majicjack in my cell phone. Majicjack is good if you use it with a phone device. Can anybody suggest me what can be done with regards to this. Please advise.

I had Magic Jack for many years and was happy with the service until I got a cell phone. I found that the magic jack app, which is supposed to allow me to use my cell phone with the magic jack number, was unreliable. I lost calls or was unable to hear or be heard. I have since gotten the Polycom Obi 2.0. This is a 4x4 inch box which plugs into your router and is paired with your free google voice number. You can plug a phone into it or have it forward calls to your several numbers including a cell phone. Like MJ, you can take it with you when you travel (as long as there is a router at the destination) and continue making and receiving calls. There is a one time charge of 39.95 for the box and after that it is free (which is even cheaper than magic jack).

Bob, thank you for re-posting this item! I re-read my original response and I found an error. I stand by everything I said about Magic Jack's service quality, but I entered the wrong year (sorry!). I actually switched to MagicJack in about November 2019 (not 1999) after my wife passed away in an effort to reduce my monthly expenses.

Now, at the start of 2022, I am still a faithful and happy Magic Jack user, but there is one caveat. When I started service with Magic Jack, the original device I purchased did not work. I contacted customer service/support on the Magic Jack website. Since I purchased the device at Walmart, I was directed to them for replacement (something vaguely related to that seller's contract), so I had to return it to them. Walmart replaced it at no additional cost to me (I just had to go to the electronics department, pick up another device, and the kind folks at Customer Service processed the switch for me - easy-peasy!). There was one great benefit. I started my service on the replaced device with two years pre-paid (not one). I do not know why, but I suspect that it was due to the first device failing to work. I interacted with the Magic Jack Customer Service on the website, so I cannot judge their telephone support, but their web-based support was exceptional, professional, and courteous. I asked them what to do, and they helped me with very little delay. Even though the first device failed out of the box, I am very satisfied with Makic Jack's response, Walmart's response, and my over-all experience from start to present. I understand that manufacturers cannot quality check every device on every production line (they usually do spot checks), so a few bad devices can get into customer's hands. It happens, and nobody's perfect.

I have used that (second) device since I started service with great results. I have experienced no dropped calls or any other service issues and the voice quality is as good as or better than what I experienced when I used a dedicated copper land line. I use my Magic Jack for home phone service. I have a smart phone, but I have not set up forwarding my Magic Jack calls to it yet. I may have to look into that for when/if power fails (an uncommon event here - knock-on-wood :)).

My Internet service is ATTs Fiber 300. It was recently upgraded to Fiber 500 - at no additional cost to me - by ATT. How can you beat that!? My Internet experience is great - no interruptions that I can recall, so I suspect that the quality of MagicJack service may well depend on the Internet service/bandwidth quality of the connection.

My opinion: If you have a good dependable broadband connection, Magic Jack can/will save you money with no degradation in service quality! I pay about $40.00 per year because I have been buying service one year at a time. That is a good deal, but I will look into the five-year plan at renewal time. It is always good when I can save money without sacrificing quality!

This has been my experience,

Ernie