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Hi. I've got FIOS HighSpeed service. We're about to replace our wireless (Panasonic KX-TG7621) phone system and I was wondering if we should go to VoIP. I'd like to be able to use a headset at my computer to make/answer phone calls. I'd also like to continue to use some kind of wireless phone handsets throughout the house.
Is what I am describing VoIP? If I went that route, would I have additional fees to pay? Is this something I can do with the current router and would i need a base system (like i have now) to control the wireless handsets?
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There are basically two approaches to VoIP. For your computer, there is software available at no charge, Skype.
For Skype you can use a headset on your computer, or you can connect a telephone via USB. Your existing cordless
phones probably cannot be used. While Panasonic does make Skype adapter for Cordless phones, it apparently only supports
KX-TG57xx telephones. The Skype application is free, and calls between Skype users are free, but for calls to most regular or Wireless numbers you are going to either need a monthly subscription to Skype, or pay by the minute from a balance. I don't believe Skype handles 911 calls very well, if at all. see www.skype.com
While I have Skype on my computers, I rarely use it for telephone calls. This leads to the second approach, which is a box
that plugs into your router. There are several services available. I happen to use Vonage. The output of the Vonage adapter is two POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) connectors, one for each possible line. Your Cordless phone base station (new or old) would simply plug into one of the connectors on the Vonage box, and you can either port your existing telephone number to Vonage, or get a new telephone number. Services such as Vonage generally have bundled into the basic price a number of features like Voice Mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting and many others. Vonage prices start at about $18 a month (basic 300 minute service plus taxes etc).
See www.vonage.com . In general Vonage supports 911/E911 services.
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You would only continue to pay Verizon Phone bills only if you continue to have Verizon telephone service (Digital Voice or Copper). If you have Vonage, you don't need Verizon Landline Services. Vonage Service replaces them..
Note however that if you telephone service is 'bundled' with other FiOS Services, or you have a contract, you might have to pay a cancellation fee if you have a contract, or if you don't, your cost of of the remaining services may go up if you break up the 'bundle'.
The downside to Vonage and Skype is that if the power fails, you lose telephone service since the Battery Backup unit on the ONT only supports Verizon Telephone Service. Since most people have a cell phone now anyway, that often isn't an issue.