gadjosevilla
on - last edited on by
JS
VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services have steadily improved in quality and functionality. Home and business users have a number of options for cheap alternatives to their landlines.
netTALK Duo is a full featured phone line that enables Free Local & Long Distance to US. and Canada. One year free service is included with the Duo. Which sells for $59.95 and is available at Future Shop in stores and online.
It has North American (USA and CANADA) calling and $39.95 for each additional year renewal (includes all local and long distance calls). The service also offers access to 911 which its competitors do not.
The Duo includes Call Forwarding, Call Waiting and Caller ID, Visual Voicemail, Fax Friendly, Voicemail to Email, Conference Bridge, and has connectivity through Wi-If / Edge / 3G / 4G.
In order for the netTALK Duo to work, you need to connect it directly to your router.
You also need to have a free wired or wireless telephone unit to serve as the handset.
The netTALK Duo can also be plugged into a computer but we found that connecting it directly to the router offered the most hassle free connection.
It took us about 10 minutes to set it up including registering our unit online and picking a phone number to use.
We chose a cheap wired phone to test out the device and connected it to the netTALK.
The netTALK Duo which was connected to both its AC adaptor and the Ethernet jack that went into our router.
Once connected, we were able to freely make calls around Canada and the US without any problem.
Call quality was excellent, we did not experience the lag or the hollow echo that is common to VoIP services, even the more advanced ones like Skype. We were able to hear the other party clearly and have conversations in real time, just like with our landline.
Users who need to call other countries can choose from add on plans.
It has a North American Add-On which is $70.00 per year that will allow you to call the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. It also has an International Add-On which costs $120.00 per year that includes calls to 60 Countries.
The netTALK Duo also has a downloadable app that works on compliable iOS, Android, Blackberry, or Windows Mobile devices. This app allows users to make calls via your cell phone Internet connection and doesn't waste user's cell phone minutes and avoids roaming charges because it is using data. We have yet to try the app but think it is a great way to extend the service.
The best thing about this is that it is portable and can work wherever you take it provided you have a good Internet connection. The only issue we had was cable management, the netTALK Duo is tiny and having three wires from different ends coming into on device is unwieldy and a bit messy.
But this is a small price to pay for an affordable, clear and convenient virtual phone.
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