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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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The land-line and cell-phone bills are rising steadily. The telemarketers are now even faking the Caller ID so my own name and number show as the incoming call. This is ridiculous.

Is there some software which allows me to create a telephone number, and just have all incoming and outgoing calls through Internet Protocol via my cable connection? Maybe even create a number which is dialable by any standard telephone, but doesn't use the xxx xxx xxxx format. I don't care if the number is "standard" - just want it to be callable using a standard telephone.

Not a fancy-shmancy ISP contract VoIP account, but some bit of software on my laptop, so anyone can call me directly? No "telephone" device at all - just laptop mic/speakers. Would include a voice message system.

Thanks.
Tom
 
Thanks George. Don't you have to use Skype to make the call to the other Skype user?

Does Skype *receive* calls from standard (non Skype) telephone users?

Thanks.
 
I use Skype and if you purchase a Skype number you can use it to make/ receive calls to regular phones. However, for $29 a year (not month) I also have a regular phone plugged into a Nettalk device which plugs into my router (computer does not need to be on). Works great for us, but does not stop spam calls. We've learned to just let calls we don't recognize go to Voice mail. Check it out;
https://www.nettalk.com
 
Thanks Basil. Can someone who *doesn't* have Skype, use their own home or cell phone to call a Skype user?
 
NutmegCT said:
Thanks Basil. Can someone who *doesn't* have Skype, use their own home or cell phone to call a Skype user?
Click to expand...

Yes. If you have a Skype Number it works just like any telephone number - you can make and receive calls.

Keep in mind, with Skype, you are using your computer (with a headset for example), not a phone. With NetTalk, I plug my regular land line phone into the device and it becomes a VoIP phone. That way we still have phones in the LR, Kitchen, Bedroom, etc., just like always, but no monthly land line bills.
 
Google Voice may be a good choice as well. I was able to get a standard phone number with my local area code. I use it when I need to advertise one of my apartments for rent. I don't have to give out my cell number (I don't have a land line), and the voice messaging is nice because I can make notes about each person that I call back right on the web page.

It's completely free, so it can't hurt to give it try.
 
We use Skype every week for overseas calls. It can be spotty on occasion, but generally works well. It's free unless you want to do group conversations (but still cheap).
 
Thanks gents. I've about given up on traditional phone service. The computer generated marketing calls, with faked Caller ID, make blocking or reporting the number useless. Cell phone reception is dodgy at best here in eastern Connecticut, and even using my good land line, talking with folks who use a cell drives me nuts with dropouts, static, and short bits of silence.

For 20 years, our land line service was ATT, which three months ago just switched us all to Frontier Communications. All three of the Frontier bills I've received so far have been totally bungled up, charging 3 times the proper amount due to "computer problems". Customer Service always fixes the problem, but getting through to a human being requires waiting until near midnight, or before 6am - other wise you're "number 114 in the queue".

oy

I just checked out Skype services, which do sound positive. But the fees involved for non Skype-to-Skype calls, plus the "Skype Number" fee ($60/year) so I could get calls from non-Skype phones - is a bit much. And of course, paying for a dialable Skype Number which would inevitably end up in telemarketing computers - defeats the reason of switching from my land line.

Keith - with Google Voice - do you have any problems *receiving* calls? Can anyone anywhere in the world call you from their "standard" telephone?

Edit 7:15pm: Looks like Google Voice only forwards calls to other systems. Seems you can't use Google Voice unless you have at least one other phone system (land, cell, etc.). Oh well ...

Thanks.
Tom
 
Hi Tom,
I can receive calls just fine on my computer with Google Voice. There is an option to forward calls to other phones, but if you leave that option unchecked, the "phone" will ring on your computer. I will send you my google voice number via PM. Feel free to give me a call to test it.
 
Ok, This old country boy is a little dense when it comes to this kind of stuff but, if I go with Net Talk and I still have to retain my isp, which is a phone company at a monthly fee, where am I saving money? :confused: PJ
 
PAUL161 said:
Ok, This old country boy is a little dense when it comes to this kind of stuff but, if I go with Net Talk and I still have to retain my isp, which is a phone company at a monthly fee, where am I saving money? :confused: PJ
Click to expand...

If you are paying one bill for both internet and phone service, than in your case you may not save. But if you pay a separate bill for the phone service, then that bill goes away. How ever - a word of caution. If you have slow internet service VoiP may not be a good option for you. I have High Speed cable and my NetTalk works great, but that may not be the case if you use a slower DLS for example. Try Skype to see what kind of Voice quality you get first.
 
Our internet service is not the best as far as speed is concerned as we don't have cable out here in the sticks. I've been debating on Satellite as we have Dish Network and they have a program to cover it, but not cheap. I'll try Skype on a trial bases and see what happens with it. Thanks for the tip. PJ
 
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