While we're on the subject of multi-level marketing...
I got sick of paying high long distance phone bills, so I started looking into making calls over the internet. The problem historically with this type of service is that you could make calls but couldn't receive them. Thus, you couldn't replace your regular land line. Also, most of these services required you to use special equipment to place calls.
However, I recently found a company called vonage that actually provides internet phone service through conventional phones, and allows you to receive calls at your own static phone number. Basically, it allows you to replace the conventional land line. For $25.99 a month you get unlimited local calling and 500 long distance minutes. For $40.00 a month, you get unlimited local and unlimited long distance. Call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, and call forwarding are included in this basic cost. Also, most of the taxes that apply to regular phone lines aren't applied to internet telecomunications, so you only get hit with about $1 and change in taxes each month.
All you need is a broadband connection, and a router. They send you some gizmo that hooks into your router, and then you hook your conventional phone into their gizmo. It took me about 2 minutes to set it up when I got it.
Also, the quality of the service, in my experience, is about the same as conventional land lines. The major downside is that 911 service isn't as good as that which is provided by land lines. My understanding is they use the same 911 service as cell phones.
Other cool features: You can get a dedicated fax line for $10 a month. You can keep your old phone number in most cases. You can get a phone number in just about any area code (and dial other numbers in that area code locally). Interestingly enough, I live in the 718 area code, but i got a phone number in 516 because most of my friends and family live there. Since I don't have the unlimited long distance package, it works great for me. Last cool feature: Virtual numbers. For $5 a month, you can create a number in any area code which is forwarded to your number at no charge. Thus, you can live in New York, and have a number for people in California to call you locally. Great for long distance relationships and people at college, etc.
Anyway, check it out at
http://vonage.com
if you decide to buy it, then click on this link so i can get paid and you will get your second month free:
https://subscribe.vonage.com/vonage-sub ... 655p2662p9
Corth
Having said all that, the situation has been handled, so this thread is pretty much at an end. -Kossuth
Goddamned slippery mage.
