Can we talk about home phones?

[Deleted]

My cell gets horrific signal in the backwoods where I've moved. Will I get better signal in the house when my phone is using a wifi signal? Or should I go ahead and get vonage? Anyone have vonage?

Also, I need a router. Anything I should look for?

[pamela]

I do not get a better signal when I have WiFi access, but there are range extenders available that I believe use WiFi, but directly, you don't get better reception.

For router, make sure you know if you have cable or DSL. Look for 802.11n, from what I hear, 802.11ac isn't useful in the near term for most uses. I prefer ours (motorola surfboard) that is modem+router in one.

[tacokick]

We have a mini cell that boosts our signal in the house that runs off the wifi. At&t sent to us (for free!) when we complained about our lack of a signal.

[nomad100]

I have had a better experience than some of the ladies here.

When I am connected over the wifi, I can make calls without much issue in most of the house (i.e., the parts that get a decent wireless signal from the router). There are still parts of the house that don't get great reception so I avoid those when I am on my cell.

Without being connected to the wifi, I have to stand out in my driveway to make calls and don't get a signal at all in the house so this is a huge improvement for me.

[orangeblossom]

If you're thinking about a VOIP like Vonage, get an OOMA instead. It's the same premise, but you pay for it upfront, about $130-$150, and then the bill is like $5 for emergency service or something like that.

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 9:58:52 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

If you're thinking about a VOIP like Vonage, get an OOMA instead. It's the same premise, but you pay for it upfront, about $130-$150, and then the bill is like $5 for emergency service or something like that.

Is there any other benefit to OOMA aside from paying for it upfront? Because that's actually not a benefit to me lol. 

[orangeblossom]

Jul 22, 2014 10:00:33 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

Jul 22, 2014 9:58:52 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

If you're thinking about a VOIP like Vonage, get an OOMA instead. It's the same premise, but you pay for it upfront, about $130-$150, and then the bill is like $5 for emergency service or something like that.

Is there any other benefit to OOMA aside from paying for it upfront? Because that's actually not a benefit to me lol. 

No, i guess not then, other than a cheaper bill every month. 

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 10:09:25 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

Jul 22, 2014 10:00:33 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

Is there any other benefit to OOMA aside from paying for it upfront? Because that's actually not a benefit to me lol. 

No, i guess not then, other than a cheaper bill every month. 

How does it work though? Do you also pay for a plan?

[stephm0188]

We have a booster for our cell phones. Sprint sent it to us for no charge. It works beautifully for us.

[orangeblossom]

Jul 22, 2014 10:14:16 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

Jul 22, 2014 10:09:25 GMT -5 orangeblossom said:

No, i guess not then, other than a cheaper bill every month. 

How does it work though? Do you also pay for a plan?

You use your wifi connection similar to how you use Vonage, and use the OOMA machine as the interface. Now like Vonage if the electricity goes out, you'd be out of luck to make a call. 

Here's some more info:  www.ooma.com/how-it-works