Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Magic Jack
Date:	10/2/2014 6:20:53 PM (updated 10/2/2014 6:21:11 PM)

Anyone using Magic Jack?  What are your thoughts?  What other alternatives for AT&T Landline?  Have cell phones, but not totally dependable at all times.

Name:	Little Talisi -	Reply
Subject:	Magic Jack
Date:	10/2/2014 9:34:30 PM

Who is your cell service with?

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Magic Jack
Date:	10/2/2014 9:50:25 PM

Verizon.  Works great most of the time, except when you absolutely, positively need it to work.  93% of calls we get on landline are of no use to us.  The no call list worked once upon a time, but no longer.  I think I may give magic jack a try.  Must have good internet connection, so that is factor, but ours has worked great (wood, wood) ever since they ran a new feed from box to house.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Magic Jack
Date:	10/2/2014 9:54:53 PM

First requirement is to have HS Internet with good bandwidth.  Since MJ works throug the Internet, it's dependability is limited to your  internet availability.

A business colleague used to take his to Italy when we went there to work (yes, we did that too).  The hotel had wireless availability but it's speed was measured in microbits per fortnight and his calls were really choppy, with significant chunks just left out.  I suspect you won't have that problem as long as you have at least the bandwidth of a T-1 channel...if Ms LNG happens to be streaming a movie you might see some degradation.

Long story short: if you have fast, reliable internet at Casa Pomodoro it should give you a good alternative to your cell phones.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Magic Jack
Date:	10/3/2014 4:25:12 PM

Since you retired, why worry? Bag the landline and go cellular. FYI, my son the communications guru just told me yesterday that it wont be long until cell phones will work like magic jack and will be operational any time wifi is available in addition to cell towers.

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Magic Jack
Date:	10/3/2014 5:27:56 PM

Would like to go cellular only, BUT, we get great reception on cell EXCEPT when we need it.  It is 100 times better than when I first moved here, but still has its moments.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Follow up
Date:	10/3/2014 6:17:05 PM

I just spoke to Zach about this again and the Iphone 6 has the capibility (the S5 does not). AT&T will have the necessary equipmnt installed for it to work early next year (2015).  If they are doing it, I'd assume Verizon will do something similar at some point, but I don't know if they have anything in the works.  When the AT&T system becomes operational, Iphone 6 customers will have full use their phone anytime there is a WIFI network available or if they have a tower connection.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	More follow up
Date:	10/3/2014 7:26:28 PM

New Android phones will have this technology soon. T-Mobile is also implimenting the technology on their network, but that doesn't do a lot of good here for full timers (good news for visitors though). From what I'm hearing on the subject, Verizion seems to be taking the stance that they don't need the technology because of their network (that will probably change, but will also slow things down for their customers that would benifit)....maybe you should argue the point with them since your service always works except for when you need it. After years of Verizon (and a short and very hard to recomend stint with Sprint), I've had good very good luck with AT&T since we switched in April. Their rural network has gotten much better over the last few years, but It still doesnt equally match Verizon in the lake area. At our house, I'd describe my service as 99% reliable... but there are rare times (like yours) that it goes a little funky (It is good enough that I don't need a land line though).