On Sat, 08 Dec 2007 04:20:29 +0000, Larry wrote:

John H. wrote in
:

I'm happy with Cox digital, at about half the cost of Verizon,
but may go
back to VOIP in a couple months. Will wait to see what my
neighbor thinks
in a month or two.
-

Ever tried Skype, John....in the last year?

Skype out is $30/YEAR for US and Canadians, including PR, HI and
AK. No time limit, 24/7. Works great. Incoming calls are
$60/YEAR/phone number. You can buy up to 9 numbers in many
countries. I have a local number in Charleston, SC, USA and
another in London, UK, for my English friends to call. I can
even network them together through Skype. Skype-to-Skype calls
are always free, as is the software. Don't like computers? No
problem, just buy a Skype Phone. I use a Netgear SPH101 on my
wifi at home. Works within about 1/4 mile of the outside hotspot
50' up. Portable, I'm now using a Nokia N800 internet tablet,
which allows me to use Skype on the road either through my Alltel
Sellphone data link or any wifi hotspot. They can't block Skype
because it's hard to detect its encrypted data stream and it uses
any port you like, not something assigned.

Makes a great home phone...especially Skype-to-Skype with video.
You don't have to pay for overpriced, non-encrypted, voip
service. Skype's distributed system works great and sounds as
good as the equipment you buy. You must have broadband. You can
also text, send/receive any files, send SMS messages, forward
your Skype to any landline number. Mine forwards to my Sellphone
if I'm not home or the computer is busy and I don't boot Skype.

Nothing beats it.

Larry

My friend in Holland is wanting my to try Skype. I've not done so yet,
because with the digital from Cox, calling Holland is very cheap. It was
much cheaper with VOIP. I know nothing about it.
--
John H