Never Pay a Phone Bill Again?

Could it be true?

Well, I saw this gadget advertised on TV called the MagicJack. The claim was that you plug this device into a USB port and your computer and then plug your house phone into the phone jack on the other end of the MagicJack and you get dialtone and you can make unlimited calls anywhere in the USA and/or Canada 24/7.

Well, I ordered one. One it arrived I plugged it in and sure enough, I got a clean and clear dial-tone.

When I initally plugged in my MagicJack an installation wizard walked me through registration and activation of my MagicJack. During this process I was able to select an area code of choice and a 3-digit prefix. MagicJack created the last four digits of the phone number.

For example, a person living in Wisconson can chose a 262 area code (you don’t have to be in Wisconson. In fact you can be anywhere and chose any area code you want). Then froma pull down menu, youcan select a city and its associated 3-digit prefix such as 632 which is the city of Racine in Wisconsin. So far, a person would have 262-632-. MagicJack will assign you the last four digits. So your new lifetime mumber would be 262-632-XXXX.

After going through the wizard (which was very intuitive), I was able to use my phone like a regular phone. I could not believe it. It really works. No dropouts, static, or anything. It took me less than 5 minutes to set up.

Aside from unlimited calls, MagicJack comes with CallerID, Voicemail, 911 Service, 411 Directory Assistance, a phone number, and call forwarding.

The MagicJack device itself costs $39.95. This includes the first year of service. Each year, you pay only $19.95. There are no monthly bills sent to your house and no hidden agendas.

You will be given a username and password where you can go online and pay your next years service when that time arrives.

If you travel (nationally or internationally), you can use your MagicJack to call back to the USA or Canada free.

If you want to use your MagicJack to call from Canada to any location overseas, you can. You would have to log into your MyMagicJack account and add funds (credits) into your International account. To call overseas using MagicJack works a lot like Skype. USA or Canada to International calling rates are very reasonable. Depending on the country you are calling, the rates range anywhere from 2 cents to 35 cents per minute.

I simply love my MagicJack because I don’t have a monthly phone bill anymore. (Yes, I have a cell phone – who doesn’t).

I have scoured the Internet to find pros and cons on the MagicJack; they are both there. Most of what I have seen has been operator error. I am having no problems with it. You must have a high speed connection, though. MagicJack does not work with dial-up connections.

The only downside I saw is that your PC must be on all the time because the MagicJack is plugged into a USB port on your PC; but, the MagicJack’s voicemail system will still take your calls.

As a Computer Network Administrator and IT Specialist responsible for hundreds of computers on a network, PCs are left on all the time. It will not impact your electric bill significantly. In fact, leaving your PC on is good for your PC. Each time your turn on and turn off your PC, you “jolt” your hard drive and internal power supply.

What I do is set my PCs hardrives to power (spin) down after 15 minutes of inactivity and monitors to turn off after 20 minutes. I also have my PCs go into the standby mode after 30 minutes. By doing these things, your PC is saving energy and is essentially off. But enough of it is on so that the USB ports are functioning so that your phone, that is plugged into the MagicJack, continues to work.

This is my take: With the state of the economy as it is, the MagicJack is a blessing.

Hey, for $19.95/year as opposed to $65-$100/month or more phone bills with all of those mysterious fees, the MagicJack is worth its way in gold. I figure I am $100/month richer. That’s money I can put in my gas tank.

So, check out the MagicJack for yourself. It is really worth it.

Oh, I forget to mention: you can order your MagicJack and try it for 30 days without paying one cent. If you decide to keep it, you will be billed only $39.95 after the 30 days. Again, this covers the cost of the device and the first year service.

Too bad MagicJack does not have an affiliate program … yet. I will keep you all posted.

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