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December 22, 2008
ooma - Local and Long Distance Calling without a Yearly Fee
Earlier this year I wrote an blog entry about Magic Jack. It is a gadget that lets you use your broadband internet connection to make local and long distance calls. This entry got the most comments of any blog entry that I have written. 
The annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is coming in a few weeks and I get hundreds of press releases from companies exhibiting at the convention. One announcement was from a possible MagicJack competitor - ooma. The main benefits appear to be:
- no monthly/yearly fees (they do have a 'Premier' package for $99 a year),
- your computer does not have to be on to use the phone,
- you can have multiple numbers with the Premier package,
- you can keep your current number for a one time fee of $39.95 (free with Premier package),
- ooma has a main 'hub' that is connected to your broadband connection. They also have 'scouts' that you can put in other rooms of your house to connect additional phones.
Downside. it's $249.99 (1 hub + 1 scout, additional scouts are $69.99 each) compared to $40 for the Magic Jack plus $20 per year for service (the first year of service is included in the purchase price of the Magic Jack).
I have not had an opportunity to try this product. Have you tried ooma? Comments?
Posted by Bob Gatton at December 22, 2008 9:01 AM
Comments
Ooma is a little misleading in description of the item. Ooma will use VOIP servers(from other companies), but is mainly dependent on a person(s) keeping their local phone service and using your local phone connection as a gateway for other users to call thru. If there is no local connections then a VOIP service will be used at the cost of the company. Thy gave away 2000 (I think) of these to try and setup a base for phone calls.
Posted by: Kilesae at March 7, 2009 12:33 AM
