Is There a Difference Between VoIP and magicJack?

Q: What is the difference between VOIPo and magicJack?

In the past, we've had a lot of reader questions and comments about magicJack. We have reviewed magicJack, but categorized it in our "Other VoIP" section rather than the "Home VoIP" section for a number of reasons. You can read a few of our old blog posts for information and reader opinions on this subject, but we thought we'd offer an update considering the company's recent release of the magicJack PLUS.

Unlike regular VoIP service, the original magicJack requires you to have your computer on and connected in order to make or receive calls. The service also requires you to get a new phone number and cannot port in your old number. Calling is free in the U.S. and Canada and between magicJack subscribers, but like Skype, users must purchase minutes to place international calls, and magicJack's pricing can be challenging to interpret.

In our tests of the original magicJack, call quality was significantly compressed, making us sound like we were far away or in a very echoey room. We also had problems with the program crashing when we tried to multi-task on our computer, and had concerns about letting magicJack prevent our computer from "sleeping" to save power.

Some of these concerns have been addressed by magicJack PLUS. At $69.95 plus shipping and handling, the magicJack PLUS is considerably more expensive than the original model. The new version still charges for international calling, but users can now plug it directly into the router and the wall, eliminating the need for a computer. Most users can now port in their existing phone number. With these changes, magicJack is certainly a closer competitor with regular VoIP service, particularly for people looking for something to supplement their home phone service rather than replace it. However, for those customers planning to completely replace their home phone service with VoIP, we'd still recommend a service like Vonage, VOIPo, or Phone Power over the magicJack. Here's why:

Call Quality
In our tests, all of the more "traditional" VoIP services outperformed magicJack in call quality, usually delivering clear calls that we found nearly indistinguishable from traditional landline calls. In fact, since many landline phone providers already use VoIP technology for long-distance or overseas calls, many of the calls we make with regular phone companies already have exactly the same call quality as Vonage, VOIPo, or another VoIP provider. We found that magicJack significantly compressed calls, lending them an echoey, cold sound.

Customer Service
All of our top-performing VoIP providers offer phone-based trouble-shooting and customer service, usually in addition to email help and live chat support. We found magicJack's customer service difficult to navigate and were frustrated by the lack of phone support. The chat agent we spoke to seemed to be either operating off a very strict, somewhat nonsensical script, or to have only a loose grasp of the service. For users who need any kind of technical support, magicJack is likely to be very frustrating, while other VoIP providers offer robust, detailed, and personalized technical assistance.

Connectivity
The quality and feasibility of magicJack service is highly dependent on your technical system, including the precise speed of your connection, how actively you plan to use the internet on your computer, the age of your PC, and a number of other factors. We never had a problem with our other VoIP networks related to how active our internet use was, nor did they crash when presented with older home networks.

Cost
While magicJack certainly looks less expensive on paper, there can be a number of additional costs. If you have the original magicJack and want phone service all the time, factor in the additional electricity costs for running your computer all day, keeping in mind that the device will not work at the same time as various energy-saving measures like putting the computer to "sleep." With the higher upfront cost of the magicJack PLUS, the price tag for magicJack service is very close to the cost of say, two years of VOIPo service, with many fewer features and pricier international calling. In the first year, you'll spend a few dollars more for your magicJack PLUS service than for VOIPo and miss out on 60 free international minutes per month, high quality customer service, and a number of call features including number blocking, conference calling, Do Not Disturb, and E911 service. You'll pay by the minute for international calls with magicJack, and the rates are very similar to those offered by other VoIP providers.

In order to offset costs, the magicJack also displays advertising on your computer, which can be irritating and difficult to get rid of. Other VoIP services will not do this. The company also charges taxes and fees on the service in addition to the annual service fee and the cost of the equipment, so "list price" will be somewhat less than customers actually pay for service.

For these reasons, we'd suggest checking out other VoIP options. You can go to our VoIP compare page to do your own comparisons and find a good VoIP option for you.

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Can I Port My Number from One VoIP Service to Another?

Q: If I change my current VOIP service provider, can I transfer that number to my new provider, say, from 8×8 to VOIPo?

Source: Nicholas Smale on Flickr

A: Yes. According to the FCC local number portability (LNP) rules, as long as you remain in the same geographic area, you can change telephone providers freely and keep your phone number. This includes transfers from any wireline, wireless or VoIP provider to any other wireline, wireless or VoIP provider. If any provider refuses to transfer your number, you can file a complaint with the FCC. A quick web chat today with 8×8 support staff confirmed that transferring a number from their service to another VoIP provider should be no problem.

The most important thing to remember when porting your telephone number is that you must initiate porting with your new provider (in the case of your example, VOIPo) before you cancel your telephone service with your current provider (8×8). This usually means that you'll have a brief period of overlap in the service. If you cancel your current service before initiating porting with your new provider, you will probably lose the rights to your phone number.

In most cases, the new service provider (in this example, VOIPo) begins the porting process by getting in touch with your current provider (8×8). You generally need to provide the new company with some basic information for this process, including your current phone number, zip code and account number as well as any passcodes attached to your current account. Do not cancel your current service until you have confirmed with your new provider that the porting process is complete.

Got more questions about VoIP providers? Check out our home and business comparison charts or read previous blog posts about VoIP service.

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Does DIRECTV Work with VoIP Service?

Q: Will a Vonage VOIP line satisfy the DIRECTV requirement for a land line?

Source: espensorvik on Flickr

A: Unfortunately, there's no hard and fast answer to this question. Depending on the specific equipment you have from DIRECTV, Vonage VoIP will probably fulfill the landline requirement. The basic DIRECTV receivers are compatible with VoIP service, and newer TiVos and HD receivers should be able to dial out, but older equipment can have trouble handling VoIP. Cable equipment, much like a fax, uses the phone line to call in to exchange data in order to provide a number of services, including Pay Per View and on-screen caller ID. Even with a VoIP compatible device, settings may need to be altered to help the cable system dial through the VoIP service. Some DIRECTV equipment can use an ethernet connection instead of a phone line, which can simplify connection for users with VoIP service.

Generally, Vonage can tell you if your specific equipment will work with their service, or you can try searching their extensive help forums for your device. Vonage strongly recommends connecting your DIRECTV device to the Internet via an ethernet cable rather than the phone line. The Vonage help site provides some information about the compatibility of various VoIP phone adaptors and DIRECTV equipment as well as recommendations for connecting a TiVo. The DIRECTV help forums also have information about working with VoIP and specific DIRECTV equipment.

If you have not yet signed up with DIRECTV or Vonage, be sure to tell both companies you plan to use Vonage VoIP for your home telephone service and DIRECTV for television so they can help you select compatible equipment. It may be simpler to choose a receiver that can connect via ethernet rather than a phone line. Vonage has set up an exclusive 800 number for NextAdvisor.com readers with questions or sales needs, so try calling them at 1-800-910-8108 to confirm how DIRECTV will function with their service.

Thinking about switching to VoIP? Check out our FAQ for all the basics, or previous blog posts for answers to more specific questions.

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Which Phones Work With Skype?

Q: If I use Skype as home VoIP service, what are my phone options? I don't like the RTX Dualphone.

A: When we first reviewed Skype as a VoIP provider, they only offered the Dualphone. They have since added a second, less expensive phone option, the GE Digital Cordless Expandable Telephone. The GE phone currently sells for $58.99, and like the RTX Dualphone, requires a router. We haven't tested it out yet, but if you're unhappy with the Dualphone and want to keep Skype, you might give it a shot.

If you're thinking about changing VoIP providers, our VoIP reviews go into the pros and cons of a whole range of companies. You can even compare them side by side here.

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Can I Use VoIP if the Service Does Not Offer My Area Code?

Q: I live in Council Bluffs, Iowa which is not on the list of cities to which I would have my number assigned for VOIPo service. Is this a problem?

Source: teesha dunn, via flickr

A: For a couple of reasons, no, your location should not be a problem. I'm not sure which list of cities you're looking at, but on the VOIPo site, I do see Council Bluffs, Iowa currently listed as an available location.

Even if VOIPo does not offer new numbers in the Council Bluffs area, you should still be able to use the service. The available locations really only control what area code a new, VoIP-only number begins with. If you port in your existing phone number, you keep your current area code, but if you choose to select a new phone number, you can generally pick a number with any area code available, regardless of your physical location. If it's important to you to have a number with your local area code, check with the provider to see if any are currently available. Sometimes area codes become back-ordered, but may be available again in a few days or weeks. As an alternative, if you currently have standard phone service, consider moving over your existing phone number to VoIP service.

VoIP's area code flexibility can actually be a very useful feature. Some people pick a non-local number so that far-away friends and family members can call them without paying long-distance charges, for example. With virtual numbers, generally offered for an extra fee, VoIP users can even select several numbers in different area codes, all of which will ring through to the same phone line. Most of our reviewed VoIP options can provide virtual numbers, including our top picks, Vonage, VOIPo, Phone Power, and Phone.com.

Want to know more about VoIP area codes? Check out this previous post on choosing an area code with Vonage or head over to the VoIP FAQs.

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Can You Keep Your Number Unlisted with VoIP?

Q: When you switch to VoIP, can you keep your number non-published and unlisted ?

A: In general, yes. By default, VoIP providers do not list numbers when they issue them, so if you get a new number from a VoIP company, it will be unlisted unless you specifically add it to directories. With the exception of numbers currently carrying a DSL account, you can move an existing phone number from traditional service to any VoIP service without problems. However, keeping your VoIP number unlisted can be a little bit more complicated when you transfer it from a traditional phone service.

Listing is handled by your original phone company, so if your number is currently unlisted, be sure to tell the company you would like the number to remain unlisted when you port it to your new VoIP service. Most traditional phone providers have an option to remain unlisted when you port out your number, but it is handled on their end, not through the new VoIP provider. If you have questions about your specific number, try contacting your current phone provider and your new VoIP provider to be sure your number will stay private. If your primary concern is marketing phone calls, you might also consider adding your phone number to the national Do Not Call Registry to prevent telemarketers from calling you at home.

Got more questions about VoIP service? Head over to our VoIP FAQ section for a quick overview, or read comprehensive reviews and choose the right provider for your phone service.

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Can I Use Multiple Phones with VoIP?

Q: I have four phones on the same phone line. Will I be able to keep all four phones with VoIP?

Source: Karolina Kabat on Flickr

A: This depends on how your phones are currently set up. If, like many people, you use a standard cordless phone system where one base phone plugs into a standard phone jack in the wall and the others transmit wirelessly from that base unit, your phones should work exactly the same with a VoIP system once you plug the base unit into your VoIP adapter.

If all four phones currently plug into their own wall jacks, you have a couple of options for multiple phones. If your phones are plugged in in separate rooms, you might want to use wireless phone jacks, also known as portable phone jacks, to connect your phones through the electrical wiring in your house. A main base plugs in to the VoIP adapter, and then individual extender ports for each phone plug into electrical outlets around the house. This can cause some interference or audio issues, but is simpler than some of the other options.

Splitters are another possibility if you don't mind dealing with running wires from room to room. A splitter plugs into the VoIP phone jack and provides multiple phone ports, which you can then use to plug in a number of phones.

Finally, you can use your existing telephone wiring to route your VoIP service throughout your home. This option is best if you live in a single-family house, as redoing the wiring might cause problems for other residents in an apartment or condo building. To do this, you must separate your house's wiring from the phone company's outside system and connect it to the VoIP adapter. This change is reversible. Although you can do the wiring yourself, an electrician can help with the process. Check with your VoIP provider to see if they can recommend an electrician or other professional. VoIP providers may also provide resources to help you do the rewiring yourself. Some VoIP providers advise against rewiring your house because traditional telephone wires carry a charge that can sometimes damage VoIP equipment. If you're thinking about Vonage service, click here to read our blog post on using your existing home wiring with Vonage for more detailed information about rewiring.

If you just need one extra plug, some VoIP providers' adapters have more than one phone port, including one of our top-rated options, VOIPo, which offers an adapter with two phone ports.

Long story short, multiple phones are very doable with VoIP, but you might want to switch to a cordless system, since overall, the simplest solution is definitely to use one main base and a number of cordless handsets rather than to install a splitter, redo home wiring, or use wireless extensions.

Got other questions about VoIP? Compare services head to head with our comprehensive charts for home or business VoIP services. You can also read our FAQs, delve into detailed individual reviews, or take a look at other blog posts answering common VoIP questions.

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Can I Use the Same VoIP Line for Voice and Fax Calls?

Q: My landline and fax use the same phone line. How will this work with VoIP?

Source: Yortw on flickr

A: If you currently use your phone line for occasional faxes, you can use a VoIP line in exactly the same way. With Vonage, you can just connect your VoIP phone line to your fax machine as you would with a standard landline. Note that just like a regular phone line, if you are using the line to send or receive a fax, you can't make voice calls at the same time. Many services recommend that you get a second, dedicated fax line if you plan to leave your fax machine connected.

Some VoIP companies also offer internet-based fax features. One of our most popular options, Phone.com offers web-based faxing straight from your internet browser. Check out our full review of Phone.com to find out how to get 10% off six months of the company's Home/Residential Phone Service Plus.

If you're interested in adding separate Internet Fax services to your landline or VoIP service, you can also check out our comparisons and detailed reviews of Internet Fax companies, or read this previous post on faxing with a VoIP account.

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No coupon code is necessary, just click on any Grasshopper sign-up  link on NextAdvisor to take advantage of this sweet deal. Click here to read the full Grasshopper review.

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Can I Use VoIP with a High Speed Wireless Connection?

Q: I have a "high speed" wireless connection via a local satellite Internet provider. It says the speed is 36.0 mbps. Can I use it for VoIP services?

A: The minimum bandwidth that you need for VoIP is usually around 88 kbps, so your connection speed should be enough. (1,000 kbps = 1 mbps) And as long as you have a router, which the VoIP adapter needs to be plugged in to, you should be able to use VoIP services with no problem.

If you have other questions about VoIP, check out our VoIP compare page to compare different VoIP services. If you want speak to someone by phone about VoIP services, Vonage offers NextAdvisor users a toll-free 800 number to speak to a representative. Or check out our top-rated VoIP provider, VoIPo, which has the cheapest domestic calling plans.

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