tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13777170.post6010839494088205032..comments2024-03-11T02:35:50.848-05:00Comments on grand stream dreams: Thoughts on a Plan to Drop POTS: Pros/ConsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13777170.post-49330506899055577592012-01-23T22:32:17.947-06:002012-01-23T22:32:17.947-06:00I dropped copper two years ago. I went with an Oom...I dropped copper two years ago. I went with an Ooma VOIP box ($200-250 up front) but free after (only $3 taxes). I have had no issues with the service and I ported my old POTS number to it.<br /><br />BTW, I went with Ooma after listening to a friend tell me about it after he had it for 2 years. He's at 4 years now and no complaints.<br /><br />Sometimes you can get refurb Ooma boxes just make sure to call Ooma to verify it can be activated without a large fee.<br /><br />With Ooma, you just plug in any old POTS telephone in the house.MarkGhttp://www.markg.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13777170.post-9178153646853655142012-01-20T21:02:45.592-06:002012-01-20T21:02:45.592-06:00Sounds like a good plan. As long as y'all are ...Sounds like a good plan. As long as y'all are careful with your phones you should be fine. I've only ever lost a cell phone once, was a Motorola StarTac back in 2001 I think it feel out the holster while I was at a carwash. It was $200 to get a replacement. Use to have issues with the antennas braking off, but since most phones now have those built in that is no longer an issue. Did have to get my Droid replaced as was having performance issues but since it was under warranty still only cost me $20.FF Extension Guruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13582647004716743827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13777170.post-437549180873524552012-01-20T19:53:43.129-06:002012-01-20T19:53:43.129-06:00@guru - great points, thank you very much for taki...@guru - great points, thank you very much for taking the time to share! They are valued.<br /><br />Dropped by the cellular brick-n-mortar this afternoon and chatted. Turns out adding the 4th phone will kick me up $12 (incl monthly fees). Not bad. Plus my old phone is still good for their network (digital not analog kind) so since I have my own hardware/phone no charge beyond activation, no contract for that phone, and I can decide to replace/upgrade at will (and then get a contract). Sweet.<br /><br />The pasta/loo comments were a joke but your point about the benefits of hands-free is a good one.<br /><br />I was concerned about the transition process between killing my land line account, keeping my home #, then getting it onto a phone. Cellular co. says not a problem; bring in my land line account bill, my old phone, and they will notify the company about the account closure, transfer the number to my phone and it will work when I walk out the door. May ring on copper and cell both for a few days but that's it.<br /><br />Sounds like too good a deal to pass. And even adding one or two data plans would keep me at a break-even point...but with data on two phones, unlmtd texting on four phones.<br /><br />Pro's seem a lot stronger than cons at this point.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />--Claus V.Claushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11692921474310162470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13777170.post-27926519656130352252012-01-20T17:53:38.841-06:002012-01-20T17:53:38.841-06:00I may not be the best example, since I am single a...I may not be the best example, since I am single and live alone. I dropped landline service long time ago as I found I had no need for it. Seemed my apartment community had a racket going with the local telecom providers (we have two here in Phoenix area) that made me believe that in order to receive calls from the main gate, I needed a landline. Not true. So I dropped the landline and since I don't make many phone calls (I never home and use email a lot) I had gone with a couple 'pay-as-you-go' cell phones. I did add a contract phone when I got my Android last year. So I have 3 cellphones, the Android, the main home phone and an emergency/backup that I add $10 worth of air time (around 30 minutes) per year.<br /><br />Bundles don't save money and having all your eggs in one basket is not a good thing. In my case I was paying was too much for basic (not HD) digital cable and DVR. When I looked at DiSH I discovered I could have their best HD package (with a DVR) and still save money. <br /><br />As far as chargers go, for the Droid I have a car charger (don't need house power for that) since I use the phone a lot as a music player, a USB charger that I can plugin to my laptop when I am at school. That is in addition to the standard AC charger that comes with the phone.<br /><br />However, you do make a valid point about replacing a phone. I suppose I could see it being dropped in a pot of boiling pasta water, but use the speaker feature. Dropping it in loo, not sure why someone would be using their phone there...<br /><br />Consider this though, the replacement are quite expensive (especially an iPhone, and Droids are not cheap either) and since you have a teenager (though I am sure she takes after her father and is very careful with her phone), replacing ONE phone could offset a good chunk of your annual savings. Plus, you are stuck with that provider (I ended my contract with T-Mobile early, cost me $200+tax. Did end up reactivating within the 90-day grace period so I had a $200+tax bill credit).FF Extension Guruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13582647004716743827noreply@blogger.com