Thanks, RAF! :hug: :hug:

I know a lady who purchased MagicJack a few months back . . . but I keep forgetting to ask how it's working for her. Will try to do that soon. I did see that there were a few complaints, but I'll have to do some research.

Comcast is another four letter word in my local area where the forced-upon-us choices are either Verizon or Comcast. This monopoly is stomach-turning.

A Verizon Tech recently suggested two things: Earthlink or dry loop service (no-phone internet). I found articles that said Verizon has knowingly down-played Dry Loop service for years, tricking people--as I see it--into keeping landlíne phones. I don't remember the representative I spoke to ()when I signed on for internet service mentioning this type of service. Probably not since she was too busy saying I had to have the landlíne. The Gov says we can't record conversations with companies, and that's why companies like Verizon get away with lying to their customers. So I can't sue them without a recording to prove what was said by the representative.

Anyway, Earthlink appears to have a version of dry loop service called Free-standíng DSL. Here's what Earthlink has to say (Pasting the info here since it can only be accessed by clicking a special link) :

[quote]Freestandíng DSL is available in Verizon coverage areas only.

EARTHLINK FREESTANDING DSL OFFER DETAILS

*Actual download speeds may vary depending on distance, líne quality, and phone service provider. Speed comparison based on dial-up using a 56K modem.

*Savings based on canceling a $20/mo average basic calling plan—no long distance or features—of $12.72 + all applicable state, local, federal fees, surcharges, and taxes.

Offer available for a limited time. Offer not available in all areas. Minimum term commitments and early termination fees may apply. First 3 months of DSL 1.5 service are billed at $14.95 per month. Regular price of $39.95 per month applies thereafter. Actual speeds may vary. Access fees, taxes, and other restrictions may apply. Offer for new and upgrading EarthLink customers only. This offer not valid in conjunction with any other EarthLink offers. Shipping, handling, charges of 19.95 wíll be required. Offer requires a 12-month subscription with an early-termination fee of up to $90.00. Includes standard DSL installation kit. Cancellation must be made by phone, U.S. mail, or fax before the next billing period begins to prevent further charges. Other restrictions may apply.

http://www.éarthlink.net/access/dsl_freestandíng.faces

This part worries me:

[quote]Access fees, taxes, and other restrictions may apply.
I could end up paying more than what I am now.

$40 bucks. Ouch! Costs more than Verizon's 20 dollar DSL that gets amped with mandatory landlíne phone and associated taxes and fees that skyrocket to over 60 dollars. With a Lífelíne credit applied to the phone (no long distance, bells or whistles), I pay a little under 44 bucks a month.

No matter what I decide to do, it's clear internet has to go bye-bye for a while. Hello, free public library! What I need now is a disposable (temporary) phone, :Sigh: Thank God I called a LífeLine cell phone provider before Verizon cut me to the quick.

As to AT&T, I noticed they, too, have received a hefty amount of complaints, so Raf, I really hope AT&T works well for you. I do realize that there are always dissenters with any service provided; it's just that there shouldn't be so many as to form a small nation. Seems AT&T, Verizon and Comcast are running neck and neck for the most hated campaígn.

Raf wrote:
We had Comcast for years. Just got rid of them finally last week. Went to AT&T U-Verse. Less expensive too. Could you keep your internet service if you didn't have to pay for a phone? That is what this device allows you to do.

That said TA...my Mom swears by this product

http://www.magicjack.com/plus-v05/

magicJack is a device that plugs into a USB (Not USB3) port on the user's computer and that has a standard RJ-11 phone jack into which any standard phone can be plugged. This allows the user to make unlimited phone calls to almost any phone in the U.S. and Canada. It is a computer peripheral that, in combination with telephony service from the related YMAX Corporation, provides Internet-based telephone service (VoIP) to the United States and Canada. In 2011 the company introduced magicJack Plus, which no longer requires a computer.

The magicJack device works exclusively with the company's captive landlíne supplier and CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier), YMAX. Voicemail is stored on the magicJack servers and is delívered via email. Downloadable feature upgrades for the magicJack USB dongle are available from third-party software companies.


I've never used it, but my folks do all the time.

Raf