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| RogerLacroix |
 Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:15 am Post subject: OT: MagicJack |
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Jedi Knight
Joined: 15 May 2001
Posts: 3264
Location: London, ON Canada
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All,
This is "totally off topic".
For a couple of months I've been reading about MagicJack (VOIP phone). MagicJack offers unlimited long distance calling in USA and Canada for $19.95 per year (yes, per year). Currently, I pay $19.95 per month for unlimited long distance calling for USA and Canada. So, I decided to order one and see how it works (and hopefully cancel my current phone plan).
Basically, it appears that MagicJack is a cheaper version of Vonage (or Skype).
Anyway, to my question: MagicJack does not currently offer area codes in Canada. Therefore, I need to select an area code somewhere in the USA. Since, I don't care where the area code is located, I just want to avoid busy or problem area codes. Hence, which area codes should I avoid? (I presume I should avoid NYC & LA). Here's the list of area codes that I can chose one from:
http://www.magicjack.com/9/areacodes.asp
Any thoughts?
Regards,
Roger Lacroix
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| bruce2359 |
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:32 am Post subject: |
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Poobah
Joined: 05 Jan 2008
Posts: 9469
Location: US: west coast, almost. Otherwise, enroute.
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| Quote: |
| This is "totally off topic". |
If it's data of any kind, including voice, it's on topic
| Quote: |
| MagicJack offers unlimited long distance calling in USA and Canada ... MagicJack does not currently offer area codes in Canada. Any thoughts? |
I'm confused. Do they or do they not?
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| RogerLacroix |
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:40 am Post subject: |
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Jedi Knight
Joined: 15 May 2001
Posts: 3264
Location: London, ON Canada
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Hi,
They offer free long distance calling from "anywhere in the world" to any phone number in USA or Canada (because its VOIP).
You get to pick your local number but they currently only offer area codes for the USA.
i.e. I can select an area code in Las Vegas, NV of 702-xxx-1234.
That means I can call from my office in Markham, Ontario, Canada for free to any number in USA or Canada but if someone calls me they will be calling a Las Vegas, NV phone number.
Does that make sense?
Regards,
Roger Lacroix
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| bruce2359 |
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:47 am Post subject: |
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Poobah
Joined: 05 Jan 2008
Posts: 9469
Location: US: west coast, almost. Otherwise, enroute.
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| Quote: |
| I don't care where the area code is located, I just want to avoid busy or problem area codes. Hence, which area codes should I avoid? |
So, inbound and outbound.
So, you are looking for an inbound number to give folks in the US; and that's why you want to pick an area code - just for inbound, yes?
I'm not sure if it's really an issue. Generally, the telcos ramp up the hardware and software to meet demand. Can they give you an 8xx number? That would take geography out of the equation.
A client switched from the local telco to Vonage; but do to QoS issues for both phone and data, dropped it.
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Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi. As we Worship, So we Believe, So we Live. |
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| RogerLacroix |
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:54 am Post subject: |
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Jedi Knight
Joined: 15 May 2001
Posts: 3264
Location: London, ON Canada
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Hi,
I getting it primary for outbound calls (but you still need to pick an area code). Inbound calls is just a nice side benefit.
| Quote: |
| Can they give you an 8xx number? |
I haven't read anything about it.
Regards,
Roger Lacroix
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| bruce2359 |
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:59 am Post subject: |
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Poobah
Joined: 05 Jan 2008
Posts: 9469
Location: US: west coast, almost. Otherwise, enroute.
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I did a quick search for magicjack on Mr. Google. Very interesting reviews.
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| kevinf2349 |
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:10 am Post subject: |
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Grand Master
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 1311
Location: USA
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| bruce2359 wrote: |
| Very interesting reviews. |
Good or bad? They have been advertising pretty hard down here in the Ike part of the Lone Star State but my experience with Vonage was such that I went back to a regular land line so I am a little leary of VOIP. |
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| Sam Uppu |
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:21 pm Post subject: Re: OT: MagicJack |
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Yatiri
Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 610
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| RogerLacroix wrote: |
All,
This is "totally off topic".
For a couple of months I've been reading about MagicJack (VOIP phone). MagicJack offers unlimited long distance calling in USA and Canada for $19.95 per year (yes, per year). Currently, I pay $19.95 per month for unlimited long distance calling for USA and Canada. So, I decided to order one and see how it works (and hopefully cancel my current phone plan).
Basically, it appears that MagicJack is a cheaper version of Vonage (or Skype).
Anyway, to my question: MagicJack does not currently offer area codes in Canada. Therefore, I need to select an area code somewhere in the USA. Since, I don't care where the area code is located, I just want to avoid busy or problem area codes. Hence, which area codes should I avoid? (I presume I should avoid NYC & LA). Here's the list of area codes that I can chose one from:
http://www.magicjack.com/9/areacodes.asp
Any thoughts?
Regards,
Roger Lacroix |
I was excited about this news in the beginning but the quality of the voice is not that good. It depends on speed of your internet as well.
You cant expect the quality of the MagicJack call with a real landline phone.
When I had MagicJack, there was an option to return it in a month if you dont like and I am not sure whether that option still exists.
Just sharing my thoughts. |
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| fjb_saper |
| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:47 am Post subject: |
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Grand High Poobah
Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 20756
Location: LI,NY
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I've had MagicJack for about 10 months now and am quite satisfied.
As noted a slow internet connection will be murder. Don't try to do ftp at the same time as it will severely restrict the bandwidth available to MagicJack.
Occasionally depending on bandwidth available you will experience some "hashing". Enunciate slowly and carefully and repeat or have them repeat when necessary. This is usually due to not having enough bandwidth available at the specific moment...
I use it over wifi and have enough bandwidth from my cable provider...
In the beginning the voip quality seemed somewhat poor (sounded like a child) but this has been greatly improved with the latest software updates.
Used it from Europe too with good benefit.
I would not advise it as the only phone but it is a GREAT portable phone that costs a lot less than a cell phone or additional land line.
It has a tendency to drop connections that run for quite long (over an hour) and you may have to dial back into the conf call. Some features are a bit limited (3 way calling etc..)
Otherwise 
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| daaliya |
| Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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Newbie
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 1
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How much does Magic Jack charge for International calls? I'm planning on buying a magic jack, I make a lot of international calls and was wondering how much do they charge to make international calls.
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Last edited by daaliya on Tue Apr 07, 2009 1:49 am; edited 1 time in total |
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| Sam Uppu |
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:22 am Post subject: |
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Yatiri
Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 610
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| daaliya wrote: |
| How much does Magic Jack charge for International calls? I'm planning on buying a magic jack, I make a lot of international calls and was wondering how much do they charge to make international calls. |
Its free within USA and Canada. You need to have internet for your PC. You cant make direct international calls with it. You need to have calling card to make international calls. This is just like a landline number(US/Canada) which is free to call anywhere within US/ Canada(incoming is also free). Ofcourse you need to pay 20 dollar(+ $20 - Jack fee initial year) per annum. |
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| RogerLacroix |
| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:11 am Post subject: |
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Jedi Knight
Joined: 15 May 2001
Posts: 3264
Location: London, ON Canada
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Hi,
I have been using MajicJack for a couple of weeks now and I am pleasantly surprised by how well it works.
In case you were wondering, I went with the 585 area code.
| daaliya wrote: |
| How much does Magic Jack charge for International calls? |
http://www.magicjack.com/1/faq/
Under International Rates, there is a link to this page:
http://www.ymaxcorp.com/clec_rates.html
| Sam Uppu wrote: |
| You cant make direct international calls with it. |
Yes, you can. You first need to purchase "PrePaid International" minutes on your my.magicjack.com account.
Regards,
Roger Lacroix
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| Sam Uppu |
| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:28 am Post subject: |
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Yatiri
Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 610
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| Code: |
Sam Uppu wrote:
You cant make direct international calls with it.
Yes, you can. You first need to purchase "PrePaid International" minutes on your my.magicjack.com account. |
I didn't know that. Thanks for letting us know. By the way how is the quality of the calls?. I returned it when I bought it in the beginning as I was not satisfied with the quality of the calls. Now I would like to buy if the quality of teh calls is good.
Thanks. |
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| fjb_saper |
| Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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Grand High Poobah
Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 20756
Location: LI,NY
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| Sam Uppu wrote: |
| Code: |
Sam Uppu wrote:
You cant make direct international calls with it.
Yes, you can. You first need to purchase "PrePaid International" minutes on your my.magicjack.com account. |
I didn't know that. Thanks for letting us know. By the way how is the quality of the calls?. I returned it when I bought it in the beginning as I was not satisfied with the quality of the calls. Now I would like to buy if the quality of teh calls is good.
Thanks. |
About last fall we got a software update. The quality of the calls has been much much better after that. No more sounding like a 7 year old.
Like Roger I am quite satisfied with mine and I just renewed the license for 5 years. (special under $70) 
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| Sam Uppu |
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:28 am Post subject: |
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Yatiri
Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 610
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| Cool. I need to order one to save little on my phone bill. Thanks FJ & Roger. |
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