Traditional phone service versus Voip services or Magic jack

[kgord]

How would you compare traditional phone services versus voice, vonage and or magic Jack? I think the interference is much less on traditonal phone lines and the connection is much better. I am using a digital phone service now..and it is OK. I think some of the phone quality isn't as good as it could be but that is largely because of the phones I am using I think...Vonage did not work for me...had a tinny sound here.

[baldyhead]

I don't think traditional POTS has much place in the world anymore outside of possible security systems.  I'm being forced to revert back to a POTS system because of a monitored alarm system.  There are plenty of companies that offer the ability to monitor over VOIP, but unfortunately not available where I'm at, and to have a GSM service setup will be way to expensive.

[JohnBeaulieu]

I don't think traditional POTS has much place in the world anymore outside of possible security systems.  I'm being forced to revert back to a POTS system because of a monitored alarm system.  There are plenty of companies that offer the ability to monitor over VOIP, but unfortunately not available where I'm at, and to have a GSM service setup will be way to expensive.

I disagree. it may be decreasingly needed or common, but I think there will always be a need or application for wired systems. At least for the foreseeable future. As for security, wireless systems and services do exist and I have seen one advertised as being more secure. I don't agree with that assertion however.

[rz3300]

I have pretty much given up entirely on tradition home phone service, but I have heard pretty good things about services like Magic Jack when it comes to saving some money and getting the same functionality.  I was amazed to see some of the options that included the home phone service and it really was a big price increase, so I just made the cell phone the main line for me, and it has worked just fine, but if you need a landline then I would explore all of these options.

[kgord]

My friend used to have magic jack service and it would come disconnected all the time. i don't think he was really a fan of it. It is cheaper yes, but is it really worth it? I don't know about that. I can't use it anyway, because I have limited internet here.

[Kirby]

I have used POTS service, VOIP and Magic jack in the past. At that time, I honestly got much better service with my POTS phone line. Now we use a VOIP service though our internet provider. While it is decent service, it seems to have a lag when talking on the phone. There's always a few second delay when I speak to someone on a regular landline phone or a cell phone.