 Review by VirtualSlew 
UPDATED: 40 days ago
member for 1.8 years, 401 visits, last login: a few minutes ago
 Ambler,Montgomery,PA
 Contract price not specified.
 about 5 days
 "Free calling after purchasing equipment. Well made product. Easy setup online. Flawless call audio."
 "Uncertain financial future for company."
 "You will save a bundle with this service."
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(ratings match consensus)
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10/15/09
I have spent several months reviewing all of the well know VoIP services out there. I want to terminate my Verizon line in February so I can save some money. I have been looking for the combination of an inexpensive, reliable service, with good voice quality. After reading so many excellent reviews of Ooma's voice quality, I began spending more time researching their products. There is obviously some uncertainty regarding Ooma's future and business plan, but I decided it was worth the gamble. Ooma has come out with a new product called Telo. With the launch of Telo, they have also changed their TOS. Users of the Telo device will need to pay a $11.75 per year recovery fee, beginning in year 2, to cover E911 and taxes. Ooma also removed voicemail and Caller ID with Name from the basic plan. Caller ID is still included, but without name. To get voicemail, CNAM, and many other features, user's will need to subscribe to Ooma premier at $12.99 per month or $119 per year. Since the Ooma Core product still goes by the old TOS, even when purchased new,I decided to purchase one. It is unlikely that will need any of the advanced features, so I will never receive a bill from Ooma. There is a one time fee of $39.99 to port a number. The Core unit comes with a Hub and Scout. I will probably sell the Scout on eBay, as I will not be using it. If I get $30 for the Scout, my total investment will be $225, $185 + $40 to port my number in February. If Ooma stays in business for next year, I will have covered this cost by what I'm saving in terminating my Verizon line. If Ooma stays in business longer than a year, it's all gravy. By the way, the Telo units appear to be selling very well on both Amazon and Buy.com. This is good news to Ooma users.They are also available in many of the big name stores, including Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Newegg.com, etc.
After receiving my Core unit 5 days after my online purchase, I activated it and was making calls within about 15 minutes. The installation was simple. I put it behind my Verizon FiOS Actionec Router, connected a phone line, and powered it on. The first call I made was to my brother in California. After about 20 minutes, I asked him how the call sounded. He said it sounded fine, why was I asking? I told him I was calling him on my new Ooma line. The call sounded crystal clear on my end as well. I was using a $15 Vtech portable, not a high quality phone, but it sounded good. I've made and received several calls since and all have been flawless, including those to/from mobile phones. I also have a Voip.ms account and use their value routing. I believe the Ooma calls do sound clearer than Voip.ms value calls. I am impressed with the quality of this product, and will continue using it as much as possible before my Verizon line is terminated. I'm sure it helps that I have a very stable Verizon FiOS 10/5 internet connection that has never gone down in the 31 months I've had it.
Since I have yet to have any contact with Ooma Technical Support or Customer Service, I gave them a neutral 3 rating. I will update this review in the future as needed.
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