[whylea]

Originally Posted by gerilynw

VoIP does not require a computer (at least, not anymore), not even for set-up. Even though we have 4 computers, one in each bedroom, the idea that I needed a computer for PC-to-phone VoIP put me off even researching it for a long time because I usually talk on the phone in the kitchen and living areas of the house; and I'm walking around doing stuff, not sitting in front of a monitor.

I did need a high-speed Internet connection (vs. dial-up for PC-to-phone), either DSL or Cable. My high speed line is Cable in our living room, which serves all the computers wireless Internet, and which is where we plugged in the VoIP Phone Adapter. Then we plugged our regular telephone into the VoIP adapter (no need to buy special VoIP phones).

The only wrinkle is that standard phone jacks, of course, no longer work. We have the phone in the living room and we used a splitter to connect a second phone in the basement via a 20' phone cord. We haven't bought it yet, but I understand they sell phone sets where only one phone plugs into a jack and the others sit on rechargeable bases without needing to be plugged into a jack. Then I'll have a phone in the kitchen again!

The savings are huge! My monthly phone bill was already slashed to the bone for basic service -- no caller ID, no call waiting, no voice mail, etc., and not including long-distance -- was $14.88 + $11-12 "Taxes, Fees & Surcharges"!

The first month I signed up for VoIP cost $14.95 for unlimited local and long-distance calls. That's $14.95 final cost, no additional taxes, fees or surcharges. After the first month, realizing my family used the land-line for only 233 minutes (we also have cell phones), I switched to another plan $9.95 for 400 minutes.

VoiP ROCKS!!! I have turned on so many of my friends to it and we are all thrilled!