- Palo Alto, CA Review

Yes it's true..Free Calls.  Ok I just bought this today after much research and comparison with other like services.  I LOVE it.  I've been calling everyone saying "Can you hear me now?".  On the Skype phone my father would say "hang up and call from a real phone- I can't hear you!".    Skype was ok as long as I stood by the computer - which had to be ON for the phone to work.  Skype is free to anyone in the world as long as they are a skype user too.  There is a smal fee to call non Skype users and fee plans to call internationally.  Skype calls were not always clear and often faded in and out.  I also had to buy Skype equipment - a headset and a cell phone type phone (now for sale on Craig's List).  I spent about 100.00 bucks for the phones and the 1 years service that allowed me to keep the same phone number for the year.

I LOVE my Ooma it's awesome!!!   Here's why I love Ooma.  I use my existing cordless house phones (that were collecting dust because I was just using my cellular phone).  I can call 911 which is NOT allowed on Skype.  I get great reception anywhere in the house.  Free voice-mail, caller ID, call - waiting and and easy set up.  For an addional fee, there is the option to keep my existing number.  In addition, for 60 days, I have a free trail of other features like two phone lines (cool!  I can talk while my family can use the other line ), transfer calls to cell phones, "Call Blocking and black listing" where I can make unwanted phone calls go away or go straight to voice-mail, 3 way calling, conference calling.  Wow!  All the additional features are called "The Premier Package" which cost $99.00 for the year if you purchase before 12/31/09.

Cons:

This phone cost me $199.00 up front.  That's a lot of money for me but the savings out weigh the cost by a long shot.  Meijer's has these phones on clearance for 199.00. The price range is usually $220-250.00.

In addition, there are two versions  of the product -the Hub and Telo.  From what I understand, the newer version called the Telo, allows you to remotely use the scout for a second line (instead of plugging it in).