Want to replace my landline phone service (connect, Comcast, reviews)

[nezlie]

I think I'm paying too much for my current landline phone service.

I also have Comcast cable internet and tv. I would like to know what options are out there besides Comcast voice (don't like the idea of paying a monthly fee for the modem that's needed for voice). My house is wired for phones, and I would like to connect into that wiring also.... not just have a phone off the computer.

[southgeorgia]

you can try something like vonage or lingo, and backfeed it through your home phone wiring. if you have cable internet it won't be a problem at all; just plug the phone output of the VOIP module into the nearest phone jack.

[Macrina]

Skype is a free download, and one can 'buy' a local phone number for about $30 a year. And the US/Canada Unlimited plan (also about $30) gives you phone service for a total of $60 a year.

The drawback of course, is that you have to be right near your computer to talk, but I've used this for 2+ years and it works quite well. It was a good solution for me when I didn't want to pay for separate phone service.

[nezlie]

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

you can try something like vonage or lingo, and backfeed it through your home phone wiring. if you have cable internet it won't be a problem at all; just plug the phone output of the VOIP module into the nearest phone jack.

Thanks, that's what I would like to do. Will I need to disconnect the landline that comes into the house from my current landline provider (at the junction box) first, or just plug into any wall jack?

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by nezlie

Thanks, that's what I would like to do. Will I need to disconnect the landline that comes into the house from my current landline provider (at the junction box) first, or just plug into any wall jack?

It wouldn't hurt. Find the NID (gray phone box) on the side of the house. There should be a cover labeled "customer access"; open this and you can unplug the service coming in from the test jack. It's a short wire with a modular plug on the end, just like a phone cord. It may not look exactly like this depending on the age but there should be something to unplug. Even older models just had screw terminals and you would find the wire coming from the telco access side and disconnect it.

[LovesCountryMusicEH]

stay away from lingo.. they've had many complaints filed against them..

here is just one of the complaints about them.. "Lingo World max a Pure scam. False advertising. They do not have true unlimited plan.
LINGO INC (phone Service), Primus Lingo Phone, Lingo VOIP, Lingo Inc, Primus Telecom Pure scam. False advertising. They do not have true unlimited plan. Their fine pint (terms and condition clearly states that). Also you give you rights to Trial by Jury for any dispute resolution. Read their fine print before subscribing to their service..."

We knew people who had their credit ruined by lingo, when they quit using them, and they had paid all their bills on time for a year.

[LovesCountryMusicEH]

and i wonder whom you could contact to complain about them, since they are a telephone service, the FTC? I think someone needs to investigate this company.

BTW, did anyone read this article about AT&T and Verizon? I know they're leading providers, but this is bit a shocking, imho... Believe me, no offense intended, but I didn't even know this before.
I wonder how the ACLU did with their trial?

ACLU v. AT&T and Verizon
March 17, 2008

The ACLU has sued telecommunications giants AT&T and Verizon to stop them from continuing to provide the National Security Agency (NSA) with the personal phone records of millions of California customers.
Since September 11, 2001, the telephone companies have been providing the NSA with customers' records, including phone numbers for incoming and outgoing calls, and time, date, and duration of each call.* This information was turned over without customers’ knowledge or consent, and without any court order, warrant, or other proper legal process.*
The three California ACLU affiliates (Northern California, Southern California, and San Diego & Imperial Counties) filed the lawsuits on behalf of 17 individual plaintiffs and more than 100,000 ACLU members statewide. Nationwide, 20 other ACLU affiliates have filed complaints with local Public Utility Commissions, state attorneys general, and other officials demanding investigations into whether local telecommunications companies allowed the NSA to spy on their customers.
In addition, to the ACLU's lawsuits, numerous private suits have been filed, all of which have been consolidated for pretrial purposes before Judge R. Vaughn Walker of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.* On August 30, 2007, Judge Walker will be hearing argument on motions to dismiss the lawsuits against Verizon.* The Bush Administration is asking the Court to dismiss all of the cases filed against Verizon on the ground that the lawsuits are barred by the state secrets privilege.* Verizon seeks dismissal of the suits on numerous grounds, including the novel claim that its action in turning over customer records to the government is protected by the First Amendment.

[plwhit]

Originally Posted by LovesCountryMusicEH

and i wonder whom you could contact to complain about them, since they are a telephone service, the FTC? I think someone needs to investigate this company.

BTW, did anyone read this article about AT&T and Verizon? I know they're leading providers, but this is bit a shocking, imho... Believe me, no offense intended, but I didn't even know this before.
I wonder how the ACLU did with their trial?

ACLU v. AT&T and Verizon
March 17, 2008

The ACLU has sued telecommunications giants AT&T and Verizon to stop them from continuing to provide the National Security Agency (NSA) with the personal phone records of millions of California customers.
Since September 11, 2001, the telephone companies have been providing the NSA with customers' records, including phone numbers for incoming and outgoing calls, and time, date, and duration of each call.* This information was turned over without customers’ knowledge or consent, and without any court order, warrant, or other proper legal process.*
The three California ACLU affiliates (Northern California, Southern California, and San Diego & Imperial Counties) filed the lawsuits on behalf of 17 individual plaintiffs and more than 100,000 ACLU members statewide. Nationwide, 20 other ACLU affiliates have filed complaints with local Public Utility Commissions, state attorneys general, and other officials demanding investigations into whether local telecommunications companies allowed the NSA to spy on their customers.
In addition, to the ACLU's lawsuits, numerous private suits have been filed, all of which have been consolidated for pretrial purposes before Judge R. Vaughn Walker of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.* On August 30, 2007, Judge Walker will be hearing argument on motions to dismiss the lawsuits against Verizon.* The Bush Administration is asking the Court to dismiss all of the cases filed against Verizon on the ground that the lawsuits are barred by the state secrets privilege.* Verizon seeks dismissal of the suits on numerous grounds, including the novel claim that its action in turning over customer records to the government is protected by the First Amendment.

How old is this? The Bush administration has been out of power for over two years now....

[NHDave]

I would stay away from Vonage, pretty much the AOL of the voip industry. Check out reviews of voip providers from users here VoIP | voipreview.org
I've been using ITP for a couple years ($10 a month) and have been happy with it.

[NJGOAT]

Originally Posted by plwhit

How old is this? The Bush administration has been out of power for over two years now....

This is one of the provisions of the PATRIOT Act. It is also one of the sections that has been overturned. If you look at the dates in the piece, you'll see that this trial was to begin in 2007. So yes, for a while the telecom companies were required to provide these records as part of the "fishing" done by the FBI and also under the looser wiretap provisions. The "fishing" was removed, but the looser wiretap standards still exist...and are supported by the Dems and Obama.