The only thing I've heard about Magic Jack is that their support is pretty bad. If you get the thing up and running, it works fine. Remember that you need to have a computer up and running for Magic Jack to work. Computer goes down, no phone. There's another service like Vonage that supposed to be pretty good. Can't think of the name, something with an O. Lots of people are ditching land lines. Depends on your calling habits. Most telephone companies offer a very basic, inexpensive plan if you want to have a backup. Generally, they don't advertise them you have to ask and you'll only get a few local calls per month.

Yes, someone mentioned it recently at the Money Saving Tips Forum. I read through the FAQ there, and see one will have a new area code and number. Q:Can I use my existing phone number as my Magicjack number? A:Yes, but not yet. You will be able to transfer or port your existing local phone number to magicJack, for a nominal fee, in the coming months. I'm left wondering then if all calls 'into' this new magic jack number will be a toll call from my close local friends and neighbors. A speed of 80 kbps is required. Sue...considering it maybe Here is a link that might be useful: Magicjack FAQ

Well like I said above back in January I ordered on and it finally came today 2 months later after two frustrating on line sessions with their help desk. They screwed up the first time by sending it to someone with the same name in a different city. The second time I called they said that the new order they'd placed for me had been "cancelled" so they opened a 3rd order. That was about 2 weeks ago and like I said I got it today. It installed really easily and although I've only used it about 5 times, testing to friends across the country it works extremely well. The clarity is very good everyone said. I'm in Canada and they don't have any Canadian area codes for giving out numbers so you have to pick a US area code and it assigns your Magic Jack a phone number automatically in that area code. I chose Michigan which is closest to me so whenever I phone someone on it it looks like the call is coming from the 810 Michigan exchange. When Canadian area codes become available they say they will let you change your number once for free. So far I think it works and after a week if I'm still happy with it I'm going to cancel my $20 a month long distance carrier. We make a lot of long distance calls. Also it's cheaper than having a second line as one person can be chatting on the Magic Jack phone and your regular phone is available for calls.

This is the reply I just posted on "Cell vs. land line": o RE: Cell phone as Home phone * Posted by lithigin (My Page) on Wed, Jun 14, 06 at 13:52 Have you considered VoIP (Voice over internet protocol) service such as Vonage? DH and I spend $80 each month with taxes on our joint cell plans. Vonage has two main plans: $15/month for 500 minutes $25/month for unlimited minutes We have the first plan and pay about $16.50 per month, total. PROS: Low, low taxes! Low, low rates! Very easy to forward your home calls to your cell when you're traveling. All features are included...voicemail, voicemail sent to your email, caller ID, etc., etc. 911 works just fine (contrary to what Time Warner Cable likes to tell me when they try to get me to switch!). You just have to register your physical address so that it is linked to your phone number. You can get any area code you want that Vonage serves (you just relocated to NYC, but your entire family is from Nebraska; you can choose a Nebraska home area code). CONS: You must have cable modem service to use VoIP. If your internet goes down, so does your phone. But you have a cell, right? Also, all calls cost an equal number of minutes, so you pay 'airtime' for 800 number calls. Vonage does a referral plan where both parties get a month or two free. If you're interested, PM me with your email address and I'll send you an invite. We are very happy with the service. Lindsay