Hey Folks:

I just got an amazing job but I need long distance and rather than count the minutes on my cell phone, as looking at long distance land lines. What is the cheapest you have found?

I looked at Skype but is it true you can call unlimited to US and Canada by home phone for only 2.95? That sounds too good to be true and there is not a number you can talk to someone.

I'd appreciate your help.

Tammy

You could try a voice over IP line (VOIP). Packages typically start out at $19.99 and up for unlimited local and long distance.

I just added unlimited long distance on my business line for an additional $10 per month. You may be able to find some good pacakges with what you currently have in place!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

I use Vonage. I love it and it works great for me.

Andrea~

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Originally Posted by TammyVA

Hey Folks: I just got an amazing job but I need long distance and rather than count the minutes on my cell phone, as looking at long distance land lines. What is the cheapest you have found? I looked at Skype but is it true you can call unlimited to US and Canada by home phone for only 2.95? That sounds too good to be true and there is not a number you can talk to someone. I'd appreciate your help. Tammy

It's true

I have it now about 3 months or so and the call quality most of the time is really good, not 100% but good enough for me. You can't beat the price.
I cut the Verizon cord at that time and am saving about $55/month. I also am considering getting a soft phone to keep on my night table instead of leaving my cell on all night long. HTH

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

I've used Skype for a few years now and for the most part have been pleased with it. I agree with Jo-Carole on the call quality. And yes, it is true that if you are in Canada or the U.S. you can have unlimited calls between the two. The international rates are not really that bad either. There are also many other cost effective features you might like or need in the future, i.e. video conference calls, chat groups, etc.

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Mattie Stokes

I too have heard good things about Skype, it seems a great way to go. I will give it a try when I get my first client!

Thanks!

Holly

My package with Rogers (Internet and landline) includes 500 minutes of free long distance within North America and is quite inexpensive. My mother, on the main level of the house, has a separate landline plus there is a cable TV feed to the whole house so we get additional discounts.

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Where do you need to call? There are several options:

Verizon Wireless -- unlimited cellular to the entire US, $70 per month. You could have this as your only phone, thereby saving money on other phones.

Vonage -- Vonage World plan has unlimited calling to many countries. If you have an employee overseas, and they have broadband internet, get Vonage for them, and they can have a US phone number, probably one local to your city.

Magic Jack is another option, but I'm not convinced of their reliability.

http://www.magicjack.com/

Someone told me about this awhile back and said it was amazing. I personally haven't tried it, but he seemed very happy with it. Has anyone else tried it?

About two years ago, I purchased two MagicJacks, one for my wife, and the other for her overseas employee. In this way, they could both have US phone numbers, and thereby avoid long distance charges.

It was very easy to install and to use. And when it worked, the call quality was pretty good (not perfect).

However, it didn't always work.

Therefore, I would not use it as my primary business line.

MagicJack would be good for someone who travels overseas, and who will have an internet-connected computer available, so that they can keep in touch without breaking the bank. Perhaps a service member stationed overseas.

I have to say quite a few small business owners that I know use Skype. I use it constantly. The call quality is great almost all of the time. If you start a call and the quality isn't what you hope, a second call will do the trick. The other features offered by Skype are unbeatable for the price. Give it a try, I think you'll find it to be all you expect and more!

I use Google Voice. Calls to the US and Canada are free. Calls to other countries start at just 2 cents a minute.