08-02-2009, 09:01 PM
tuqqer, see the thread I started yesterday for some other info:
http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,772539
Basically, I've found that different VOIP services are pretty similar (I've used 3 different ones in the past 3.5 years after dumping our Verizon landline). You may (or may not) need either some sort of traffic shaping device (as I'm purchasing) to give VOIP traffic preference so call quality does not suffer. You may also not need one if your router does a good job of managing traffic, or has QoS (Quality of Service) settings that you can configure.
I'd simply recommend getting started by picking a provider (based on recommendations here, or independent research elsewhere) and give it a try. Many providers offer a 30-day moneyback guarantee which should allow you to try the service with very little/no financial penalty. VOIPo (the one I'm using right now) has this 30 day guarantee. If you want to go with Voipo, I can provide a referral link to you (which benefits me slightly if you signup and stay a customer).
If you want to transfer your existing landline number to VOIP, it's a pretty easy process. Just initiate it with your new provider, and they'll do whatever they need to to get your old number transferred. When we first transferred away from Verizon, we didn't even need to let Verizon know--they simply closed our account once the number had transferred and we were not billed for anything further. But....keep an eye on your credit card or whatever you use to pay your landline bill just to make sure they don't keep charging you.
http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,772539
Basically, I've found that different VOIP services are pretty similar (I've used 3 different ones in the past 3.5 years after dumping our Verizon landline). You may (or may not) need either some sort of traffic shaping device (as I'm purchasing) to give VOIP traffic preference so call quality does not suffer. You may also not need one if your router does a good job of managing traffic, or has QoS (Quality of Service) settings that you can configure.
I'd simply recommend getting started by picking a provider (based on recommendations here, or independent research elsewhere) and give it a try. Many providers offer a 30-day moneyback guarantee which should allow you to try the service with very little/no financial penalty. VOIPo (the one I'm using right now) has this 30 day guarantee. If you want to go with Voipo, I can provide a referral link to you (which benefits me slightly if you signup and stay a customer).
If you want to transfer your existing landline number to VOIP, it's a pretty easy process. Just initiate it with your new provider, and they'll do whatever they need to to get your old number transferred. When we first transferred away from Verizon, we didn't even need to let Verizon know--they simply closed our account once the number had transferred and we were not billed for anything further. But....keep an eye on your credit card or whatever you use to pay your landline bill just to make sure they don't keep charging you.