Has anyone used a USB phone? If so, was the sound quality good? Were the connections reliable?

Thanks
DennisInGA

www.cnet.com has very emcompassing reviews on those. I haven't personally used them.

Thanks Kelli, I'll check it out

DennisInGA

DIGA,

Are you talking about cable telephone?  The cable company I work for just launched it recently here in central Florida.  Sound quality is good, from what I've experienced so far. A downside is if you lose your cabe, you lose your phone.  If you lose pwer, there's 8 hour baterry back-up before you lose phone service. Seems to be a hit with the customers, but they don't always understand that adding phone service makes things more complicated since we are now regulated differently.  Anyway, ignore this post if that's not what you were talking about!   

Valerie

PS--you like the new name I gave you ?   

Thanks Harper and Valerie...

Yes, I understand alot of cable providers are offering VoIP service. The local cable outfit, MediaCom just started that also. The situation in my humble apartment is that I do have free cable TV, but no net connection. So, I'm on a dial-up.

Once I relocate a cable provider for VoIP would be my choice. One I was looking at was Skype. No monthly fees, free software, free Skype-user to Skype-user calls. Free local. LD charges to non-Skype users kinda high, but then I use phone cards which I can get a cheaper per minute rate than my phone service offers.

DIGA ? Valerie LOL 

Sure that works, easier to type

Maybe I'll switch back and forth just to confuse folks 

DIGA 

Hmmmm.........

Well, they say our phone service is based on VoIP technology, but is not actually VoIP...if that makes any sense at all.  They didn't teach us the technology during the 7 days of training...rather it was the regulatory piece, order entry, billing, etc...since those are my main functions at work.

I've never heard of Skype...are they a true cable provider? If it's free, I'm highly suspicious that it's not    I've had a few customers inquiring about switching to us from a VoIP provider, saying their current provider makes them have a non-local phone number.  Kinda' weird...you may wanna' check into it.  But of course as with anything, asking lots of questions is the way to go.  Before you sign up for anything, always ask what is the charge for for disconnecting, for service calls, etc... I've heard some horror stories about early termination fees and people being charged 50$ just for a tech to walk in the door.

Also, if it's in your budget and available near you, cable internet might be an option.  I have customers subscribed to digital cable, High Speed Internet (4Mb download), and our unlimited local/long distance phone plan, and their bills run approximately $150-$160 after taxes, fees, and surcharges.  And depending on your cable and phone needs, it could be cheaper than that.  Everything comes on one bill, it's pretty cool.

Anyway I assume you're not up and relocating tomorrow, so you have time to explore your options.  Good luck...and glad you like your new name 

Valerie

Thanks Valerie,

No Skype really is an application that uses your existing net connection to transmit data (voice) over the net to another Skype user.. or non-user's phone... BUT it is expensive to do long distance to a non-Skype user... like 27 cents a minute...

The phones run anywhere from say $20 to $100.. the Skype ware is free.. no monthly fees.. no charges unless you do use non-Skype long distance....

I dunno yet.. just shecking things out...

(Signed) Hey YOU!! LMAO

I rolled out a VOIP system (well, assisted anyway...the consultants programmed the things) a few years back.  There were hiccups when we had a lot of internet traffic hitting, but that was rare.  Another issue we ran into was the fact that people thought we had hung up on them.  There was absolutely no background noise when using them whereas with landlines and cells you have a bit of static to let you know you are connected.  So every once in awhile I would run a fingernail gently over the phone if I had to pause the conversation to dig up info.

I enjoyed being able to change the ringer.  I finally settled in on Timmy from South Park.