August 15, 2005
SkypeIn and uConnect to replace my local phone service?
Right now I have the minimum local phone service plan – and it is still almost $13 a month.
$13 a month for something I never use. Why do I keep it around? Because I like having a power-failure proof communication device perhaps?
But now I’m seriously thinking of switching to SkypeIn. At 30 euros per year (~$38USD), that’s about a third of the price I would pay for a year of local phone service.
Granted, I don’t leave my computer on all the time – so I’d probably miss a lot of calls. But then again, do I even get phone calls on my local phone line?
The one thing I’m really curious about is this uConnect product:
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be shipping quite yet.
Does anyone see any significant drawback to this plan, aside from the fact that in a disaster (terrorist attack, earthquake), I wouldn’t be able to communicate?
4 Comments to “SkypeIn and uConnect to replace my local phone service?”
August 15th, 2005 at 11:44 pm
Remember that Skype won’t let you call emergency numbers such as 911 and is thus not accepted as a “legal” POTS replacement. Other than that, you’re pretty much good to go.
August 16th, 2005 at 9:23 am
I have to ask — why do people assume that POTS wil be up and running during a disaster?
A friend of mine used this same reasoning — he wanted to keep his POTS service in case of blackout, hurricane… I pointed out to him that he didn’t have a single old-fashioned wired phone in the house, and when the power went out his cordless phone would be useless even if the incoming phone line was OK.
I’ll just stick with my Vonage (which is on a UPS battery backup). Vonage also has a “network availability” function, which forwards calls to a number of your choosing if the power or net connection fails.
August 16th, 2005 at 9:26 am
I’ve thought that through and I always have at least one hard wried line.
Hmm… maybe a UPS backup would be a good idea. I wonder if cable networks work in blackouts.
August 20th, 2005 at 2:21 pm
I think having a cell phone as a back up is sufficient in this day and age. Go for it!
There are a bunch of USB to RJ-11 adapters on eBay. In fact I have one that you’re welcome to borrow and try out if you want.
Oh and you might want to check out using Dialpad rather than Skype. It’s not yet integrated with Messenger, but it will be…
“What does Yahoo! plan on doing with Dialpad’s core products?
Yahoo! plans on leveraging Dialpad’s PSTN calling capabilities to add to Yahoo! Messenger’s recently enhanced PC-to-PC voice calling offering. These products are very complementary and by combining our strengths, we are better positioned to take advantage of the fast growing IP telephony market and build a range of exciting new services.”
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