The experiment begins:
Received an offer from MagicJack today, for the newer no-computer needed internet based VOIP service. $34.95 plus $7.95 shipping, plus $2.10 regulatory fee (whatever that is), and including 1 year service.
This after having the older MJ for three years, and only using when on the road. No complaints, and good enough service, but a nuisance to keep computer on all the time.
A little more background. Have used Vonage for 5 years, starting back when there were no charges other than the initial modem, and $14.95/mo. unlimited service. That gradually grew to $25.00/mo., when four or five added service charges entered in (apparently state and federal charges, but as I found out later, were partly just names for Vonage charges. When I threatened to cancel, they looked at my phone usage, and said there was a special (unadvertised) deal for $9.99 for people like me... the lower price for 200 minutes outgoing calls. That turned out to be $16 when the extra charges were added. Last month, they notified me about another extra charge which puts the $9.99 cost up to $17. Vonage was good service but getting expensive (comparatively).
The clincher is that now MJ will transfer the phone number... which they wouldn't before. (not sure of cost for this)
So begins a new experiment, which I'll follow up on when I get the phone.
..........................................................
Next... Cell phone. Since we'll use only for emergency (to call home or insurance company in case of an accident) ... and maybe a few more calls (less then 20 minutes a month)... thought to get get the cheapest plan available. Bought a clearance Net10 phone for $10 which included 300 minutes and 60 days... great deal... worked perfectly... but now for 30 days service will be $15. I found online, a Tracfone for $79.95 with 1 year service, and 400 minutes, tripled to 1200 minutes, which looks like the best deal.
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#3... Have to look at another alternative long term... comcast "triple play" phone, internet and TV... this gets complicated because Comcast is not one company, and Comcast in Florida, doesn't know about Comcast in Illinois... deals aren't available for snowbirds, plus they want a montly "hold fee" when we're not there $7, I think.
........................................................
AT&T... available in Florida with lowspeed internet, but also contract, and a big installation fee... No other internet service here in IL other than the Comcast monopoly.
.................................................
Of course, there's the part about phones and internet with the computer phone etc... What I've heard about multiple year contracts, service fees, and cancellation costs is frightening.
Finally... am I alone in this confusion? ... and is it my imagination, or are all of these contracts and offers, and "best deals" a matter of words?
If we have an FCC... isn't it a part of their responsibility to work in the public interest?
Am interested in your own feelings about this, and any ways you've found to REALLY understand and get the best deal. Or maybe the charges are so small compared the rest of living costs, that it doesn't matter.
Received an offer from MagicJack today, for the newer no-computer needed internet based VOIP service. $34.95 plus $7.95 shipping, plus $2.10 regulatory fee (whatever that is), and including 1 year service.
This after having the older MJ for three years, and only using when on the road. No complaints, and good enough service, but a nuisance to keep computer on all the time.
A little more background. Have used Vonage for 5 years, starting back when there were no charges other than the initial modem, and $14.95/mo. unlimited service. That gradually grew to $25.00/mo., when four or five added service charges entered in (apparently state and federal charges, but as I found out later, were partly just names for Vonage charges. When I threatened to cancel, they looked at my phone usage, and said there was a special (unadvertised) deal for $9.99 for people like me... the lower price for 200 minutes outgoing calls. That turned out to be $16 when the extra charges were added. Last month, they notified me about another extra charge which puts the $9.99 cost up to $17. Vonage was good service but getting expensive (comparatively).
The clincher is that now MJ will transfer the phone number... which they wouldn't before. (not sure of cost for this)
So begins a new experiment, which I'll follow up on when I get the phone.
..........................................................
Next... Cell phone. Since we'll use only for emergency (to call home or insurance company in case of an accident) ... and maybe a few more calls (less then 20 minutes a month)... thought to get get the cheapest plan available. Bought a clearance Net10 phone for $10 which included 300 minutes and 60 days... great deal... worked perfectly... but now for 30 days service will be $15. I found online, a Tracfone for $79.95 with 1 year service, and 400 minutes, tripled to 1200 minutes, which looks like the best deal.
........................................................
#3... Have to look at another alternative long term... comcast "triple play" phone, internet and TV... this gets complicated because Comcast is not one company, and Comcast in Florida, doesn't know about Comcast in Illinois... deals aren't available for snowbirds, plus they want a montly "hold fee" when we're not there $7, I think.
........................................................
AT&T... available in Florida with lowspeed internet, but also contract, and a big installation fee... No other internet service here in IL other than the Comcast monopoly.
.................................................
Of course, there's the part about phones and internet with the computer phone etc... What I've heard about multiple year contracts, service fees, and cancellation costs is frightening.
Finally... am I alone in this confusion? ... and is it my imagination, or are all of these contracts and offers, and "best deals" a matter of words?
If we have an FCC... isn't it a part of their responsibility to work in the public interest?
Am interested in your own feelings about this, and any ways you've found to REALLY understand and get the best deal. Or maybe the charges are so small compared the rest of living costs, that it doesn't matter.
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