New VoIP Ooma Phone Service--First 24 hours

FIRST 24 HOURS of Ooma!







I almost gave up, but stuck with it.  Opened the box and activated the new number (has same exchange as my old number, which is still hooked up to AT&T)

THEN came the fun--trying to set up the Ooma box with my wireless router.  Their Chat line did not help--they are only "Call screeners" and so called Customer Support and I had to help him figure out how this works.  I had to connect an ethernet cable from the Ooma DIRECTLY to a computer (used my laptop) and get a set up screen where I input my Router username and password after given the Ooma's IP number.  I asked today--what if I have to change my WiFi username and password.  They finally told me that I didn't have to repeat the process, but could access the setup wirelessly via an internal IP to change WiFi password, etc, so not so bad as I thought.

Checking reviews on the Ooma one of the problem areas has been the Wifi vs ethernet direct connection being unstable.  I can say that the Wireless connection via our router has been PERFECT.  I believe this is due to the quality of our internet connection. So not all of you will have this type of success.  Although the bandwidth requirements of this internet phone system are low--for Upload only about 384K and no minimum download--not sure why?, but we have had internet with "OK" download of up to 5 mbs, but the upload was the weak spot--only about 500 K, so that's too narrow a margin and probably would not work with this Phone system.  But the internet we NOW have has WONDERFUL upload--for a Rural broadband carrier and thus, we have had solid connection past 24 hours.

OK--our fee will be $4/month--no state/local fees but other fees were the Regulatory Compliance Fee, 911 Fee, and Local Interconnect Recovery Fee:

MOVING ON....

 Cons: Does not have battery backup so cannot take it on the road, but there are apps that allow calls to be forwarded or voice messaged to up to 2 mobile phones via WiFi whenever those phones have access to WiFi (Voice message) but call directly via the cellular network.

Cost Up Front: From Amazon (with wireless adapter) $79 (normally $99), but without the wireless adapter (to do a direct ethernet connection, was about $63. You can get similar discounts directly from Ooma or just hunt on the Internet for a good buy.  Pays for itself in a few months.


Features of the Basic are minimal for $4, but still has unlimited US Calling, Call waiting, Online Call log, Caller ID, Caller ID blocking, 911 Notifications, BlueTooth adapter integrated with Wi-Fi to use Bluetooth headsets.

For another $10, you get Premier which includes all of the above, PLUS Canadian, Puerto Rico Calling, Voicemail forwarding via audio email, Spammer n Custom call blocking (up to 1000), Call Forwarding, 2nd LINE, 3-Way Conference Calling and more.

To compare with other internet phone services, go to https://www.ooma.com/uploads/pdf/Ooma-Telo-Competitors.pdf

PROS: 

•  Can set up services online, such as number of rings before going to voicemail (can't do that with AT&T) 
• Superior HD voice quality -- better than AT&T--if you have problems with your Wireless router connection, switch to the direct ethernet connection, but so far we haven't had to do that as have very good voice quality, stability due to the way our internet is set up.
• If we lose internet, our phone calls can be forwarded to our Cell Phones.
• You can pay directly by C Card or set up a Prepaid account where you put X amount in the account, out of which your monthly fee is deducted.
• Can Integrate with a Home Security System
• Can (see videos above) replace your entire Home phone system--either by feeding the phone line from Ooma to all the phone outlets in your home or just connecting to a Cordless Phone system with multiple handsets.  We are doing both right now.
• You can port your old number into Ooma--that fee is a bit pricey at $39.99 but if you choose to subscribe (after 60 day trial) to the Premier service for a year, that fee is waived.
• 2nd LINE is great for home businesses.  No charge with Premier.
• Advanced Call Spamming and Blocking features--lots of choices as to what to do with the call.
• Contacts List can be imported easily.

 BOTTOM LINE.  So far it is no as bad as I was expecting and better phone quality than what I have. 

I am so happy about the Wireless success, which am sure is because of the internet I have but wouldn't even want to guess what would happen with any other internet. You need good, stable upload speeds.

I am not sure about the Premium vs Basic, but if I find I use those features (which I will need 3-Way conferencing), then I will be willing to pay the extra $10 a month for those--I will have the next 2 months to decide.

I am still in a learning curve about all the features, online access and control, security and just the use of VoIP calling in general.  Will continue to post experiences and discoveries periodically.

Basically, wired anything is now a thing of the Past.  The only thing left is Nikola Tesla's wireless electric power!

Thanks to these small-business entrepreneurs with the courage and intellect to go forward with Wireless Rural Broadband and give us all a choice, which leads to more choices, which then leads to even more choices--like this phone savings.

Stay tuned....