| Wireless Type | 54g |
|---|
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Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
July 2018 Google VOIP change and OBItalk purchased by Plantronics
Reviewed in the United States on 15 July 2018Colour Name: BlueVerified Purchase
Jeremy M Lim
FREE 1 TIME VOIP SVC ATA 4 GV & FREEPHONELINE W/O MONTHLY TAXES/ 911 FEE W/ OOMA & TAX ON FREE SVC
Reviewed in Canada on 19 January 2021Colour Name: BlackVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Super Satisfied
Reviewed in Canada on 26 July 2020Colour Name: BlackVerified Purchase
Kiyo M.
I feel FREE.
Reviewed in the United States on 30 January 2017Colour Name: BlueVerified Purchase
I feel FREE.
Reviewed in the United States on 30 January 2017
Why we didn't switch sooner years ago... I'm late to the party... well, better late than never!Reviewed in the United States on 30 January 2017
We've been paying $30+ a month ($360/year) to AT&T for basic bare minimum home landline service (their other plans cost more), which we weren't even using at all (just receiving bunch of telemarketing spam calls even though I signed up for the Do NOT call list).
Well, it's just still nice to have a backup "home number/phone" or when making appointments, etc. and like many, since we're attached to our home number for over decades, it just wasn't something we wanted to easily give up. (especially avoiding hassle of updating to companies of a new number)
I was unsure at first if I should go with this OBI or the Ooma. I did some research and I'm really glad I went with this OBI. It's a no brainer for me.
With the Ooma, you will still end up having to pay a few dollars a month on local and State taxes.
With the OBI, it's zero. Not to mention, the Ooma unit cost twice as much/takes up more space.
Ooma also charges $9.99/month for their "premium features" like call blocking or using an app to make calls, which is silly - it's free with Google/OBi.
I also checked out Ooma's international calling rates and they aren't as good as Google's.
Also Ooma charges $40 to port your old phone number.
With OBi, Google charges $20 to port your old number.
However, there is one annoying catch:
Google doesn't allow porting landline numbers, so you have to go through a bit of redundant obstacle if you want to keep your cherished old landline number; you have to first port your landline number to a mobile carrier such as T-Mobile (it was very smooth with them, which is what I've used; this part is free, but it takes a day to process), AT&T, Verizon, etc. -- to make Google think the number now belongs to a wireless service, which Google will then accept, AND THEN once that's completed, you would then request a port with Google ($20 fee).
In order to accomplish this, you will need a "dummy" phone and buy a prepaid SIM card (from one of the wireless carriers) and use that temporary number for the porting process.
If you don't care about keeping your old home number then you don't have to go through any of that hassle; just make a google account and use whatever number Google gives you.
This may be all confusing in the beginning, especially if you've never used Google Voice before. What this OBI device is basically allows assigning different VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services on it, so you can then connect your old "brick" phones to it; Google Voice just happens to be the main preferred choice.
Google Voice is not an actual carrier/phone service - what Google Voice does is just forward numbers to you, like a secretary. It's quite amazing and cool what it can do. Now I can even send text message with my home number. It can email me missed calls/show me a transcript of the voicemail/easily listen to them... so much more convenient than using the old built-in answering machine to listen to messages or dialing to hear voicemail. I even get caller ID now. AT&T landline charged so much for these "premium features"... yet all this and way more is free now with OBi/Google.
To make international calls, the minimum amount to load in your account is $10. I like that Google Voice charges no connection fee for international calls, whereas Skype does.
You can also download their Google Voice "Hangout Dialer" (not to be confused with the Hangout app itself - they are two completely different apps) and you can make calls with a tablet! Unlike with Ooma, they charge you $10/month for this feature that Google provides for free!
By default, Google has "Screen Calls" turned on, which won't directly connect the caller through (until they say their name), so you'll want to disable that. I did notice that I was receiving more spam calls when I signed up with Google; I'm not sure if that is a coincidence or not, but there is also a option in Google to block known spam calls. It's also very easy to block numbers.
I wish Google would just allow uploading audio files as a voicemail, but you can only set it up with your own call/voice.
Ooma is probably suited for beginners and people who don't want to deal with customization/hassle of porting. If you want to save more money, like more customization/already love Google Voice, then the OBi is an easy choice.
Many internet service providers also started bundling home phone service, prices ranging from $10-$30/month -- but it's the same VOIP, so it's better to get one of these devices instead.
This OBi device will be useless without internet and a router - or if you don't even own a "brick" phone to connect this to; or if you want to get rid of "brick phones" entirely and modernize your whole home all together with just using tablets/WIFI only smartphone, or PC to make calls, then you don't even need this product and can just sign up for Google and use Hangouts Dialer app for that (granted you don't need 911 emergency services, since Google Voice does not support 911 calls; if you do, you need this Obi/connect a brick phone/add/sign-up/pay monthly fee for just the 911 emergency service). However, if you're a senior or just like the old fashion way of using your home "brick phones", this OBi device allows you to use that and cut your bill. If you want to save money in the long run, it does require a bit of your time and money upfront. In the end, it's definitely worth it. It feels great having one less bill to worry about.
Pros:
- Cutting the bill!
- No more landline, but still allows you to use your old "brick" home phones. (granted you have internet)
- More features than what you'd get with landline services that's a rip off costing more (this gets you cheap international calls, call forwarding, caller ID, threeway calling, transcript voicemails, text messaging, etc)
- Small and easy to setup
- Better than the Ooma
Cons:
- It relies on Internet/router, so if either of those fail on you, you won't be able to place calls. (Not a big deal)
- 911 emergency service is not included and you must add that/pay a small fee/month for that. (Not a big deal)
- If you're not so much a techy person, it may require some thinking time.
- Porting your old landline number is a bit messy/redundant requiring you to port twice.
- My OBi device doesn't actually have the "Google Voice" logo on the front of the unit like it's advertised. I find that a little odd, but whatever (I guess it looks cleaner without it)
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Miguel Q.
Does not sound better than Magicjack
Reviewed in Canada on 22 December 2020Colour Name: BlackVerified Purchase
