Thank God for Magic Jack

[retiredhappy]

OK, still no phone service and now they're say probably not until Friday. Since I can't even call 911 its worrisome not to have a phone especially since my neighbor on one side is a 92 year old man who is deaf and the lady on the other side in pretty much housebound. Soooooo, I went out and bought a Magic Jack - plugs into computer and if you're on the internet, you can make phones calls to anywhere for about $20 a YEAR. I had one when they first came out and the voice quality was questionable - would break up a lot. Well, that was in 2003 or 2004 and they've improved them. You can receive calls IF you're on the internet altho I'm more concerned with outgoing calls. Its also nice if you have limited minutes on a cell phone as MJ is unlimited. They also have an upgraded one that plugs into the wall, but you HAVE to have some kind of wired internet service for it to work. So just buy the cheaper one that is only for your computer, Walgreens had it on sale from $39.95 for only $19.95 and that includes the first year of service.

I am a happy camper now - not cut off from the world.

[Bethers]

I've looked into it a few times ... like that if you can get online in Mexico or Canada, you can make calls back to the US free. It has lots of good features ... may look into it again before going to Baja next winter. Glad it's working for you ... did you need to get a new number since your cell phone wasn't working? Or does it work with your current number AND you can still use the number on your cell (when it's working again)?

[BarbaraRose]

I have one of those too. Haven't used it since I left California tho. Was nice to have for calling long distance and not having to use up my minutes on my cell phone.

[Nasoosie]

I have wondered about Magic Jack----glad to here about it from a friend! I may look at it again.

Thanks for the info, Karen!

[retiredhappy]

They gave me a new number but my primary use is for me to call out. When I had it before I had limited minutes with Verizon and some company putting me on hold made be go ballistic - with the MJ, no worries.

[mitch5252]

They gave me a new number but my primary use is for me to call out. When I had it before I had limited minutes with Verizon and some company putting me on hold made be go ballistic - with the MJ, no worries.

Karen, do you have a typically fast DSL? Or do you have cable modem?

[Bethers]

They gave me a new number but my primary use is for me to call out. When I had it before I had limited minutes with Verizon and some company putting me on hold made be go ballistic - with the MJ, no worries.

Don't you still need to be connected to the internet, and therefore those of us with limited data, it will use that up? And do you need a separate phone?

Please bring it to AZ with you - I need to see it

[retiredhappy]

Beth, will bring to AZ.

Mitch, don't have DSL or cable or anything. I either use my neighbor's wifi (they don't have it secured) or I use my Sprint phone as a hotspot. No wires to my house for anything. Well, I do have Dish.

[BarbaraRose]

I used it to call my dad from CA because he talks so much and I was using up way too many minutes on my cell phone with him. You do need a phone. I just bought a cheap $10 corded phone to plug in.
Also, if someone calls you at that number and you are not on-line, they can leave a message and you will get an e-mail with a link to their recorded message.

[BarbaraRose]

I was just reading stories about lottery scams, etc and came across a story saying that these Jamaican scam artists are now using Magic Jack to make their calls because they can't be traced to any person or location, and even tho they are calling from Jamaica, it looks like they are calling from the US because they get a US phone number.