How does ooma do it

Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. The monthly change for Vonage was gradually increasing, so I had an incentive to look for other VOIP providers with similar and better options.

In December , the Ooma Telo enabled me to replace the Vonage hub and save even more, since under their service there is no monthly charge for basic service although you still have to pay the US phone tariff tax. Ooma enables transferring your phone number easily, usually at no cost. I upgraded to Premium service which also incurs an annual fee, but was still significantly less than what I had been paying. They also provide an app for my smart phone that allows me to make and receive calls including WiFi , potentially avoiding other fees from my wireless provider.

I personally do not make many wireless calls, so this hasn't saved me a lot of money. But there was more value to be had. I had installed a home security system about that was monitored for a monthly service charge.

Ooma provides bluetooth-based sensors that I could easily replace the existing wireless system self-installing the sensors and pairing them to the Ooma. I have twelve sensors deployed plus a siren and have customized the warning modes for when I am home, temporarily away, on vacation, or during nighttime. All of this I control and monitor from an app on my smart phone. My sensors monitor external doors, garage door, windows, motion on three levels, the presence of water around my water heater, and smoke on two levels.

I have a separate CO detector which doesn't connect to my Ooma, unfortunately. You can configure your security app to automatically change modes from home to away based on geolocation, and vice versa when you return so that monitor modes change automatically. I have submitted some suggested improvements to the app over the years and they have updated the apps in response. The app has been very stable. My Telo hardware failed a couple of years ago, but I was covered under warranty and received a replacement unit in a couple of days.

The app warns you when a battery is failing in a sensor and also if the sensor is being tampered with. The one sensor type that isn't provided that I would like to have is breaking glass sound detector; I had a couple of these in my old system. I have my system on a battery backup UPS that supports my internet network and the telo during a power outage.

Since I purchased my Telo, Ooma has added a version which has a battery backup built into it with a cell service backup if the internet is not available.

I haven't deployed this because I already had the backup configured to accomplish something similar. If the internet provider goes down, the cell alternative would be a plus.

I might consider this in the future, but my service has such high availability, it hasn't been an issue for me. I consider my Telo and home security one of the best, most cost-effective decisions I've made. I bought an Ooma Telo, a VOIP service, a few years ago on the advice of my brother, who has used it for several years.

I have a landline and a mobile phone. And with the Ooma app on my mobile phone, calls made from my mobile phone when within the range of my wifi are thru Ooma, saving me valuable minutes to be used when I'm not near my Ooma Telo. How does Ooma Telo perform? I honestly can't tell the difference between the quality of my calls before Ooma and since I've installed it. The only drawback is that when the internet goes down due to storms, etc, then Ooma is offline and that's why it's good to have a mobile phone, too.

Here in the Midwest that may happen 2 or 3 times a year, usually just for a very short period, rarely more than an hour at most. Verdict: If you or a loved one has a landline and wants to have lower phone bills, Ooma Telo is the way to go. They also offer Telo for business. Think of the potential savings there! I signed up with Ooma after the Sunrocket and Teleblend fiascos and after feeling ripped off by Vonage. Afterwards, they were required to collect taxes and fees, but kept their promise to me, as an original customer, and I was not subject to those.

Then, a lightning surge took out my original Ooma device, and I had to purchase the new Telo, a more streamlined and modern VOIP adapter. Ooma allowed me to keep my fee-free status, even though it was tied to the device, not me, to transfer to this Telo device.

It is sleek easy to use and set up. The "buttons" which are not buttons, but just touch-sensitive areas that are illuminated on the face of the device, are almost too sensitive, as I find I end up turning something on or off if I just reach over it to get something else.

Otherwise, it has worked out well in the years since we've had it and I just hope it does not fall prey to any lightning surges, and I have to get a replacement that will incur the fees.

I am so angry with them. I even swore at them to cancel my account. They still won't. I got till DEC of the 6 to pay them. I had a take out from my debit today pending. I was like, "What the heck? They would not. I guess I made the wrong mistake to buy and go with them. I even took them to the BBB as well hope some action gets taken.

Anyhow since approved for the cell phone I do not want their line anymore till further notice. I have used OOMA for my home service telephone for years and have been very satisfied. I never had any problems with it and would rate my service with them all 5 star up until my attempts to cancel. You cannot do it on line. And when you get through to a person in India I think they go through about six prolonged steps to try and get you to continue service with them.

I politely said "no thank you" to each one and they finally agreed to cancel my service. However today, a few days later, I was alerted by a friend that calls to my old OOMA number were being answered in India by somebody offering "free" money.

In other words, a "phishing" scam. Alerted I also first blocked my caller ID and then called the number and sure enough I talked with a man who is apparently in India and when I let him know I was on to his scam and was going to be calling everybody in the world to stop him, he hung up on me just as he had done with my friend who alerted me to the problem.

After three phone calls and talking with five different people all of whom somehow hung up on me or disconnected me I finally got action from a "supervisor" and only after I told him that my next call was going to be to the FCC Federal Communications Commission.

Great service while I had it. Lousy service when I cancelled and after I had cancelled. I was sent a desk phone as part of a day trial. I didn't want a desk phone, but they said it was included in the trial. After I agreed to try their service, he kept calling me every day to see if I got the phone yet. The phone was fine.

I have a small desk. I don't need a bulky corded phone on my desk. I mostly use a soft phone or my cell phone with an app to take business calls. In addition, the ooma system has been architected to deliver exceptional voice quality and reliability, giving you the crisp, acoustic performance of a landline, without the associated fees.

You bet! Ooma provides voicemail at no extra charge. You can check your voicemail online, by phone or on the Ooma devices themselves with the Broadband Answering Machine. You must have a compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone and be an Ooma Premier subscriber. You can link up to 7 mobile phones.

Ooma is a standalone device that does not require a computer. There is no software to install and no need for a headset. Ooma replaces your current phone service and delivers clear, landline quality calling over your existing phone and high-speed Internet connection. Your system will automatically comes with this technology built-in and ensures you get excellent voice quality even under the most demanding broadband conditions.

Go to My Ooma, click on preferences, then click on the Google Voice icon, and follow the instructions to integrate. Ooma also provides outgoing caller-ID at no extra charge.

By default, during activation, your caller-ID will be set to use your last and first names. New requests and changes for outgoing caller-ID name are processed within 5 business days. Ooma provides E service where supported. We will collect your address when you register your Ooma device online, and send it to emergency response personnel when you dial Since Ooma works over your Internet connection, you will need to call from a mobile phone if your Internet connection is down.

In this case, your calls will always be routed over your landline. Ooma makes three-way conferencing easy! Please note that this feature is part of the Ooma Premier package and is only available with an annual or monthly subscription. This fee is waived for one , , or phone number if you subscribe to prepaid annual Ooma Premier. Unlike some other services, Ooma lets you call anyone, at any number, anywhere in the U.

No, Ooma is a standalone, low-power, always-on device that works independently of your computer. This saves you from the hassle of installing anything on your computer and from having to leave your computer turned on to make and receive calls. The Ooma Hub device has been designed to work with a wired high-speed Internet connection such as DSL, cable, or fiber-optic. While we have a number of customers who have used the Ooma system with a wireless Internet connection, we cannot guarantee the performance will be quite as good.

Please note that you can still use a Wi-Fi network in your home. For more home set-up information, please refer to the product documentation. The Ooma system can be used anywhere there is a high-speed Internet connection.

Regardless of where you use it, calls to the US will be free and calls outside the US will be subject to low-cost international rates. If you plan to use the device overseas, be sure to use a phone that meets US standards, and be aware that the power supply that comes with the Ooma Hub is built for US power specifications. To learn more about faxing with Ooma, visit www.

No, the current system does not support cell phones. In most cases, yes, Ooma can transfer port your existing phone number to Ooma. To confirm that your number can be transferred, go to www. Please note that porting typically takes up to three weeks and you must keep your current phone service until the transfer is complete.

The Ooma mobile app is just as intuitive. Use it just like you would your Ooma phone, but through your cell phone instead. Ooma may or may not be the right solution for your home or office, but our in-depth reviews of the best VoIP phone providers should lead you to the right one. Ooma has plenty to offer home and business phone customers, from its customizable setup to its convenient features, like call blocking and call forwarding.

Its simplistic setup can get your team up, running, and understanding the system with minimal hiccups along the way. With affordable prices and a free plan, customers can set up a complete…. We spent hours researching 25 server backup software providers. We found five to be worthy of our top list. Veeam we found is best for…. We spent seven days reviewing over 20 surveillance systems to determine the cream….

Landlines are the reliable, old-school, never-have-to-worry-about-them kids on the block that have been around forever. VoIP, on the other hand, is a cheaper and more…. VOIP technology transmits info over the internet via data packets. VoIP call recording solutions immortalize vital phone conversations and keep them safe in the cloud.

It is best known for its stellar customer support, straightforward software and features,…. Making the switch from a hardwired telephone system to voice over internet protocol VoIP is a great way to save money and digitize your business…. All of its plans offer enterprise-grade features that can make your business sound…. Nextiva offers VoIP phone service plans suitable for businesses and call centers ranging from small to large. The phone service is highly reliable and efficient….

For patients, hopping on a video chat rather than driving their sick selves to your office is a dream. Over , websites use Crazy Egg to improve what's working, fix what isn't and test new ideas. This content is reader-supported, which means if you click on some of our links that we may earn a commission.

Skip to content. Share on: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook. Ooma: The Good and The Bad The Good Customer Support : Although Ooma is relatively straightforward to set up without the help of a professional, there is always the chance for something to go wrong unexpectedly. Ooma Pricing and Options Ooma Pricing Ooma has different packages for its home and business customers.

Ooma Enhanced Call Blocking Ooma lets home and business users stop unwanted calls through call blocking. Ooma Video Conferencing Use Ooma for more than just audio calls, thanks to its video conferencing capabilities. Ooma Voicemail Forwarding and Transcription Having an intuitive and reliable voicemail system is crucial to both home and business phone users. Ooma Desktop and Mobile Apps Ooma ensures that you can change settings and fit your phone system to your needs by making its back-end available on a range of devices.

Make your website better. Free day Trial. Keep Reading About IT.