What is Magicjack all the same?

What is Magicjack all the same? A Magicjack is a USB device that plugs onto your computer and turns the device into a phone when a phone is plugged into the RJ11 port on the device. Using your computer's internet connection, the device has software that allows a user to make phone calls to any phone in the US and Canada. For $19.95 per year, the device is practically free when you can call with no restrictions to any phone in the US or Canada. There are no additional taxes and you only pay $19.95 per year.

When you consider other options for Voice Over Internet Protocol like Magicjack, no one seems to come close in terms of price. Vonage has a 300 minute plan for $11.99 per month or unlimited minutes for $14.99 per month for 3 months and at that time becomes $24.99 per month. Time Warner Cable has different options and can range from $19.99 per month to $29.99 per month. Both Vonage and Time Warner charge additional taxes and fees.

Most recently, Magicjack introduced another device that allows you to connect the device directly to your router,plug in the device to an AC power source, and off you go! So for some skeptical clients who do not want to leave the computer on 24/7 for a cheap phone system, this new device may be just for you.

What about call quality?

What about call quality? I have used magicjack using wireless internet on a Linksys N and Verizon's wireless modem. The call quality, transmission or reception, is excellent. One thing I noticed from personal experience is that not all routers are made the same. I used a Dlink wireless router temporarily and when I used magicjack, the call quality was choppy or garbled. But, if I plug the laptop I'm using directly to the router, the call quality on the Dlink became excellent. We connect all our computers wirelessly for convenience so I would caution anyone considering magicjack to google their router and magicjack to see if there are any issues. If anything else, buy a Linksys router! You're for all that saving tons of $ when you switch to magicjack.

What about features? You get free voice mail, free caller id, free call waiting, free call forwarding, and free directory assistance. Selective call blocking is not available as of this writing. If you wish to block a phone number say an ex-wife/husband or a known telemarketer, or what have you, you will not be able to do so with magicjack. Nevertheless, there is a third party application for less than $50 you can purchase to selectively block phone numbers. 911 as well works somewhat differently. When you dial 911 from a landline like Verizon or AT&T, your local emergency facility may answer the call. With magicjack, when you dial 911, you get a magicjack operator to relay your emergency. When you activate your magicjack, make sure you register your current service address.

The only time you'll ever have a downtime with magicjack is if there's power outage and/or your internet is down. In today's world, it's hard to imagine having an internet outage. WIth a price of $19.95 per year, this is the magic of magicjack. Visit magicjack.com for more information.

Ren Roque is a successful innovation entrepreneur with Fortune 100/500/1000 customers in Southern California. He has a family of two children and a...