Hey KITAs - I am thinking of getting rid of my POTS and wondered if anyone has experience with Ooma

[G+_Dave Craig]

Hey KITAs - I am thinking of getting rid of my POTS and wondered if anyone has experience with Ooma. Is it worth switching to it, or is there a better service?

 

Thanks in advance!

DC

[G+_Black Merc]

Not dependable in worst case scenarios. As with all VoIP(and other digital) services, the reliance on your internet service is the Achilles heel of the hole thing. Plus 911 has always had a problem with it (your IP address changes - then your not where you say you are).

If you do want a backup, look into being a ham(amature radio operator), it will not die till your battery does, and their is always solar or wind to replace that.

[G+_Scott W]

google voice and an obi200 has worked flawless for over 5 years for us

[G+_Peter Hanse]

Our company uses onsip works well for business. I have also used magic jack worked well for what I needed. I am not sure if google voice will

Be around long term since they seam to be moving away from it.

[G+_Akira Yamanita]

I'm not familiar with Ooma but I haven't had a POTS line in over 15 years. 911 doesn't use your IP address for location. They use the address tied to the service assuming that you have E911 service in your area and the VOIP service supports this. This is the same even for your local VOIP services found in a "triple play" type package. Basic 911 means that you'd have to give the operator your location. It looks like Ooma supports E911 so you just need to check your local 911 service. My local ISPs all work through a power outage provided that I can power the equipment on my end. Obviously, an Internet outage means no phone service so you'll need to decide if that's acceptable.

[G+_Black Merc]

Akira Yamanita pots are powered from the central office, so power blackouts don't effect it.

E911 uses central office information to tie caller id to a pots line.

You say you can just tell E911 where you are, what if you can't (mute, gagged, damaged phone or just unsafe to make a sound)?

Voip is to many levels seperated from the simplicity of pots. For Voip to interlink with E911 they have to link databases... Their goes your privacy(for those who care about that). Again internet linked... Risk of hackers... Or haven't you seen the news?(my local E911 had ransom ware in its systems just last year)

[G+_Akira Yamanita]

Black Merc??? I have no idea why you're explaining the things that I wrote back to me and going on a rant about privacy when POTS requires a similar database for location information. Also, you misread what I wrote about the difference between basic 911 and E911.

[G+_Tom Sargeant]

I have had an Ooma for about 8 years.

I like the call blocking and it will ring my cell phone along with the house phones. I was getting way too many junk calls, and after playing with the call blocker, I get very few unwanted calls.

I have it connected to a dedicated UPS along with the cable modem, switch, and 3 dumb routers.

I ported over my old phone number, and I also have the second private number that came with the unit.

I do not like that it insists on being connected directly to the cable modem, but it has not presented any problems.

[G+_Carl Elton]

I have Ooma for about 5 months so far and I had to used 911 and had no problem with them knowing my address. Before Ooma I had Vonage and the same thing no problem with 911 calls. You just have to make sure you setup you 911 address in your settings. Now if you move to a new location you would have to go into your setting and change your 911 address to your new location.

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

Ooma is really just "easy mode". I recently decided that I need to setup my own FeePBX box and port my Google Voice number over to that. I'll probably grab a SIP trunk from https://voip.ms, best reputation around for SIP providers and quite cheap ($0.01 per minute outgoing, and unlimited incoming for $4.25/month). Guide: https://www.mangolassi.it/topic/11805/freepbx-13-setup-guide

 

Of course, if you don't have a server available where you can host a FreePBX installation, then Ooma makes a lot more sense.

voip.ms - US and Canada VoIP Internet phone service | VoIP.ms

[G+_Rud Dog]

Don't know the difference between Oomma and Obihai but I have the little Obihai box connected and working it was kind of easy. That is if you are looking for alternative and I believe you can add 911 service.

[G+_Rud Dog]

amazon.com - Amazon.com : OBi200 1-Port VoIP Phone Adapter with Google Voice and Fax Support for Home and SOHO Phone Service : Voip Telephone Adapters : Electronics

[G+_Scott W]

I have one of my SIP's through Anveo, its $39 year with Unlimited free incoming and 300 free minutes outgoing per month. Have never had an issue over 5 years in service. Anveo has easy setup and free Google Voice number porting for ObiTalk users. Also has E911 service. anveo.com - Anveo for OBiTALK: High Quality Service - moving beyond GV

[G+_Glenn Nelson]

Have used obi202 with Google voice for 5 years. Also setup a friend with obi110 and GV about 2 years ago. Both of us happy. Can purchase 3rd party phone service (vestalink) for around $70 per year if GV is not an option.

[G+_Raimondo Orfano]

I am using Ooma for 6+ yrs I had my # ported plus I have a second line, which I use for voice/fax, the Ooma device is connected to my router. The only issue I have is when the internet goes out, there is no phone service. I have it setup to forward calls to a cell..