Cell Phone Alternative

[Don]

Normally I do not bring one of my computers when I am in the Abacos. However, IF abroadband connection is available there is a program called majic.Jack.com which offers very discounted rates on phone calls using your computer and online connection. I would suggest that anyone interested in calls back to the states look at their website. And, no, I don't get a commission.

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

I have three, as my son and son-in-law are military, and one for a dedicated fax line!

[Tspringer]

Hello!

I went to the Majic Jack website and checked it out. Very interesting!

I seems the service only works in the US and Canada? Are you having luck getting it to work from the Bahamas? Can you both send and receive calls?

My family and I are making our first trip to the Bahamas in June and I need to be as "connected" as possible as I will have to get some work done while in the islands. Any ideas to help with this are greatly appreciated!


Terry

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

It will work anywhere you can get internet service, and recieve calls from anywhere in the world. However, you can only place free calls to US/CAN. Long distance outbound is available for a fee. Worked fine on the boys laptop with a wifi connection and his bluetooth headset. So yes, you can call US/CAN from Abaco or from Iraq, and if the other party has a Magicjack, you can call them free also, as it's a US #. I live in Kansas, and chose one Fla. area code and one Mo. There's a list to choose from when you register.

[Tspringer]

So I can call back to the States from the Bahamas for free, but if people here at home call me they will pay long distance? Even if I have a local number through the magic jack subscription? I will only be calling back to the Atlanta area and only needing to receive inbound calls from the Atlanta area so if I subscribe and get an Atlanta local number, will it work fine inbound and outbound without long distance fees?

Their website says no international calling available as yet, something about during a beta test period? Sorry this seems so confusing! I admit to being a tech idiot!


Terry

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

No, folks in the US calling you in the Bahamas would not pay international rates, and if you get an Atlanta area code, it would be the same as calling across the street. I guess I wasn't quite clear on the inbound, as my home phone is in a cable package and includes free nationwide long distance. So the folks calling your Magicjack #, if they don't have a long distance plan, would be charged the normal LD rates to the area code you have. Sorry.

[kiteboarder]

So I can call back to the States from the Bahamas for free, but if people here at home call me they will pay long distance? Even if I have a local number through the magic jack subscription? I will only be calling back to the Atlanta area and only needing to receive inbound calls from the Atlanta area so if I subscribe and get an Atlanta local number, will it work fine inbound and outbound without long distance fees?

Their website says no international calling available as yet, something about during a beta test period? Sorry this seems so confusing! I admit to being a tech idiot!


TerryHi Terry,

You will find magicjack is a really useful little tool and you can find more useful info here:
http://unofficialmagicjack.forum2u.org/

PS: If you need a resourceful, low maintenance sailor and helper on your journey through the Bahama's I am interested!

[Tspringer]

Kiteboarder,

I in fact may need a resourceful low maintenance sailer/helper for part of this trip particularly if he has lots of local knowledge and is dirt cheap (ie. beer ). If he can also teach a middle aged fat man how to kiteboard/surf then its a even bigger bonus!

I ordered the magicjack thing and bought a phone just for use on the boat. I will also be signing up for a months WIFI from Out Island Internet and getting an external USB Wifi antenna (still trying to figure out which one will be best). I also have rented an Iridium 9505a satellite phone for the trip so I should have the connection issues covered. If I can get 2-4 hours of work done a day, I am as good as in the office. Who knows.... I might not leave.



Terry

[frank44]

I am curious if any MagicJack users have tried Skype. If so is there an advantage?

thanks

Frank

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

$19.95/yr.

[Don]

Frank, I have Skype on my computer. The differences are that with Skype you have to use a microphone on the computer, the sound quality is VERY unreliable and anyone you wish to contact must have the Skype program installed on their computer. This means that you cannot make contact with someone with a land line only. Every time I speak with someone on Skype I have to turn my speakers up considerably, and if I forget to turn them down, the next program with sound will blow you across the room.
Don

[kiteboarder]

Kiteboarder,

I in fact may need a resourceful low maintenance sailer/helper for part of this trip particularly if he has lots of local knowledge and is dirt cheap (ie. beer ). If he can also teach a middle aged fat man how to kiteboard/surf then its a even bigger bonus!

TerryI am still interested but I'm a one beer kinda guy and prefer coconut water 100x more refreshing than alcohol :D and also enjoy sleeping on a big pile of seaweed with a tarp on pristine Bahemian beaches!

Cheap enough for ya? ;)


I am curious if any MagicJack users have tried Skype. If so is there an advantage?

thanks

Frank You may find this discussion between the two informative: http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=108354

[Moderator Elf]

Frank, I have Skype on my computer. The differences are that with Skype you have to use a microphone on the computer, the sound quality is VERY unreliable and anyone you wish to contact must have the Skype program installed on their computer. This means that you cannot make contact with someone with a land line only. Every time I speak with someone on Skype I have to turn my speakers up considerably, and if I forget to turn them down, the next program with sound will blow you across the room.
Don

I use Skype and can call any land line in the world for .02/min in the States up to .08/min for international calls. You must purchase Skype credit to make these calls and that is sold in $10.00 blocks online. Perhaps you meant to say that the only FREE calls are those made anywhere in the world to other Skype users?

[Tspringer]

Kiteboarder.... I will get back to you, where are you based out of?


I got my magic jack and have been using it for 3 days now. I got a local area code number, calls to anywhere in the US or Canada are free. I like it so much I took advantage of the 5 years plan for $56. Thats free calling to anywhere in the US / Canada for 5 years for $56. It works just like a regular phone. I have a regular old cheapie phone plugged into it and the sound quality is exactly like a land line if not a tad bit better.

You can also use a headset if you prefer and if your computer supports bluetooth you can use a headset and dial out on screen very easily with the magic jack software, its stupid simple to use.

Calls from the Bahamas to the US are .08 per minute. That is as per the magic jack users website where you can buy pre-paid long distance. If you are calling to another magic jack... no charge anywhere to anywhere.



Terry

[kiteboarder]

Kiteboarder.... I will get back to you, where are you based out of?



Calls from the Bahamas to the US are .08 per minute. That is as per the magic jack users website where you can buy pre-paid long distance. If you are calling to another magic jack... no charge anywhere to anywhere.



TerryHi Terry, USA and I sent you a Private Message. ;)

Also, as mentioned on the MJ forums: A person can call anyone else anywhere in the world for free as long as they have a MJ also.

A Great combo is using MJ with Grand Central. (got my number before they put a temp hold on beta testers and I love it! There is supposed to be some update news soon on GC.)