• My ISP says it can’t continue DSL over copper

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    #2378499

    This is not really a rant but I didn’t know where else to put it.  I received an email from my ISP telling me “We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstance, NetZero DSL service will no longer be available in your area.  NetZero provides you DSL service and connection to the Internet through agreements with local carriers. These carriers own, operate, and maintain all of the necessary equipment, such as phone lines, required for DSL connection. Therefore, any changes to, or removal of this equipment affect our ability to provide you DSL service. As a result of recent equipment changes, NetZero will no longer be able to offer you DSL service.

    They said my service would end on July 9th, but is still going on my copper telephone line.  My phone line is with Verizon.  I’m just wondering if anyone else has gotten this kind of notice.  Is going with Verizon’s fiber optic system the only answer? I don’t have or want Cable.   I live in MD, USA.

    Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
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    • #2378503

      Why don’t you want cable?  Bottom line, yes the ISPs are getting rid of copper and moving to fiber.  Our local phone company at the office did a similar notice – our POTS had to go as they would no longer support it.

      Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

      • #2378515

        You don’t want to get me started on cable!  To put it simply, it’s a pain, it’s not reliable, it’s costly, and I’d be on a “party line” with the whole neighborhood. And I didn’t even mention the plethora of extra Fees and charges they hit you with.

        I’ve been contemplating going over to fiber for more speed, so I guess this is the kick in the rear that I need.  I will really miss the reliability of copper though (at least the way was).

        Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
        • #2378518

          You may find fiber more reliable (depending on the ISP’s service), but here, it’s about the same price as cable per month. Package deals help, but then all your eggs are in the same basket.

          1 user thanked author for this post.
          • #2378830

            That’s what I’m looking to do, and also getting my phone on it too.  About a year ago I got a price from Verizon for Phone and Internet on their FIOS.  It came to $115 a month at that time. I put it off but should have done it then.

            Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
        • #2378528

          I run both my home and office on cable and it’s been extremely reliable. I think it depends on the area.  As to the party line – IMHO the entire Internet is a party line 🙂

          Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

          2 users thanked author for this post.
      • #2378542

        Cable is just not available everywhere. We live in an area that doesn’t have cable – they stopped running the lines for it about a mile and a half from our house and told us that there aren’t enough homes along the road to make it profitable.

        I have been using a hotspot for internet – first from Verizon and now Sprint/T-Mobile. Works like a cell phone but gets a wireless internet signal. I connect my computers to it wirelessly and actually can take it with me if I happen to go anywhere that doesn’t have Wi-Fi.

        It is expensive – we pay about $55 US for 50GB of data a month – which is sufficient, but we can’t connect our TV or use most streaming services – and I keep a pretty close eye on daily usage. Sprint says that they will slow down speeds – pretty slow already – if you go over – you can’t pay for additional GB. So far, we haven’t. And that is on top of the cost of our cell phones – which aren’t always reliable here, our TV satellite dish – which is weather sensitive, and our landline telephone.

        We are luck enough to be able to get a cell phone service here – many that live beyond us can’t even do that, so they are limited to a satellite dish for internet if that even works – or dial-up.

        We also have a similar wireless set up for our phone – not a cell phone, but Verizon has a technology that I believe they developed to allow customers in weather damaged areas to get phone service. We have a device that gets a wireless telephone signal from Verizon, and that is connected with a phone wire to our landline phones, and we get our telephone that way.

        Bottom line – there are places that are severely underserved in the internet world, and most options that generally are considered standard are not available, no matter what the cost.

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        • #2378555

          Cable is just not available everywhere. We live in an area that doesn’t have cable – they stopped running the lines for it about a mile and a half from our house and told us that there aren’t enough homes along the road to make it profitable.

          Same here. There is an orchard between me and the highway and cable etc. refuse to come over here. Luckily there is a wireless company that serves this area although it’s not real speedy, it’s better than dial-up LOL. I tried satellite and hated it.

          Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does 🙂
          All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).

        • #2378762

          Elon Musk says that within two or three years, one of his companies will have satellite internet that is “affordable, reliable, and with enough bandwidth to match cable speeds.”  If that comes to fruition, it will give you and people in a similar situation another option.

          1 user thanked author for this post.
          • #2378808

            Wouldn’t that be amazing! And about time, too LOL!

          • #2380872

            That will be great in about 2/3 years. There are a lot of kinks to work out in the meantime though since the current Dish has a thermal breakdown at about 100 degrees which means that I wouldn’t have internet all summer lol.

            Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does 🙂
            All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).

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    • #2378506

      Many years back our company was rolling out new data circuits to many our remote offices in the Northeastern USA. There was a lot of Verizon territory up there, and they informed us that they would be unable to deliver any new circuitry over copper. Apparently they had decided it was cheaper to install fiber than to maintain their existing copper cable infrastructure.

      So the only option at that time was to wait for Verizon to install fiber to a point of entry inside each of our buildings there. Then Verizon would have to attach new equipment to their fiber that would enable them to activate any circuits or services we needed.

      But no more copper even then… and that clock has been ticking for years!

      Windows 10 Pro 22H2

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    • #2378519

      That’s not encouraging! There is no cable here, nor fiber. It’s DSL over POTS or nothing when it comes to terrestrial internet (well, there’s dialup…)

       

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      • #2378832

        DSL over POTS is bad enough, I have to wait for all webpages to fill in all the graphics.  I can’t imagine using dial up nowadays.

        Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
    • #2378535

      In what used to be my neck of the woods in the Northeast a little over a decade ago, Verizon was rolling out FiOS, but not everywhere, only in select areas surrounding larger cities at the time.

      In my neck of the Northeast, we were told by Verizon that it was cost prohibitive for them to roll out fiber, AND that it had become cost-prohibitive for them to continue to maintain the copper POTS lines as well! Verizon wound up getting out of the POTS business in our area, selling the business to a much smaller company that had an extremely difficult time keeping up with things. This resulted in very long waits on the phone with repair service (hours for some folks) and long waits to get things fixed once they were reported to repair service (two to three weeks for some folks).

      About that time, since my wife and I couldn’t switch to FiOS, we switched to the local cable provider for our phone service and never looked back. Cable phone service was much cheaper than POTS and continues to be, even with a move way out of the Northeast and a different cable provider. We had already been using cable as our ISP, and continue to do so.

      Why all that background in the last three paragraphs? Because, it sounds like you’re going to go through the same thing some time in the future: Verizon getting out of the copper-based POTS business and handing their POTS customers over to another company. I’m basing this guess on the contents of the note you received from NetZero in your first post. Susan has gone through the same thing, (I think) per her post (#2378503) above.

      Yes, cable’s not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. The top speed offered in our area by the local cable providers is around 940-960Mbps down with about 35-40 Mbps up, which is their offering over fiber optic cable. For those speeds, the co$t is about $99-$129 per month depending on the package signed up for.

      From what I’ve seen in their commercials, our local phone company, AT&T, offers similar prices for their fiber offering, but they claim much faster upload speeds than the cable companies offer for fiber. The down side (if you want to call it that) is the prices and offerings from AT&T may come with a contract locking a person in for a couple of years and fees to break the contract early, according the the commercials from our local cable companies.

      (We have two cable companies in our county, depending on which part you live in, but the entire county sees and hears the ads from both cable companies on television).

      Bottom line, @Charlie , is to see what Verizon offers for FiOS and what your local cable outfit (Comcast?) offers (even though you’ve said you don’t like them) and then decide for your situation which is a better fit. Either way, your cost for internet access will be going up, probably substantially.  🙁  But, then again, so will your speed!  🙂

      • This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by Bob99.
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      • #2378552

        Yes, cable’s not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. The top speed offered in our area by the local cable providers is around 940-960Mbps down with about 35-40 Mbps up, which is their offering over fiber optic cable. For those speeds, the co$t is about $99-$129 per month depending on the package signed up for.

        A bit more than what I pay for less than 1/20th the speed!

        Dell XPS 13/9310, i5-1135G7/16GB, KDE Neon 6.2
        XPG Xenia 15, i7-9750H/32GB & GTX1660ti, Kubuntu 24.04
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      • #2379257

        Verizon has had its Fios in my area for awhile and I’ve been dragging my feet since what I have has met most of my needs.  But now I think it’s time to move up.  One thing I’m wondering is whether I can buy my own Fiber modem/router.  I know I can buy a cable modem but not sure about Fiber.  I’ve got a list of questions ready to ask them.

        Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
        • #2379287

          Charlie: In my experience, and that was some years ago, the ONT Box was installed by Verizon as part of their equipment, during the installation and connection of FIOS at my place and on the same day: there was no option then to buy one’s own. Also I remember that it was something that required considerable expertise to do.

          Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

          MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
          Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
          macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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          • #2379315

            Thanks Oscar, I was wondering what that ONT Box was that was mentioned.

            Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
    • #2378584

      In my area, near Washington DC, Verizon, my ISP and land-line telephone provider, stopped maintaining copper lines and replaced them with fiber-optic ones, years ago. Then I had to get a Verizon fiber optics triple bundle, of Internet, TV and telephone land-line connection. No data cap.

      The main practical problem with my fiber-optic deal is that, when there is a local blackout, for example during and after a big storm, I only have power on my telephone receiver from a backup battery in my home equipment, for up to eight hours. I can use my cell phone after that, if the cellphone system is not also down. This was never an issue with the old connection over copper-wire lines, when the electrical power for the receiver came from the local central station over those wires, because copper is a conductor of electricity. Fiber optic lines are made of glass, that is an insulator. So, in the past, a blackout meant a loss of my Internet connection and of TV, but not of telephone service, but this is no longer so. What remains of copper is the line between the network optical network terminal (ONT) box, inside a closet in my apartment, and my telephone in the bedroom — the ONT box being connected to the building’s power supply and, when this is out, to the backup battery, as already mentioned.

      Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

      MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
      Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
      macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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      • #2378588

        I am in the same local area as you are.

        Verizon badgered use mightily for years with lies about POTS not being reliable. We have been here 30+ years and never, ever lost the phone line. Yes we could lose power and the bell would not ring, but you could still call out. They finally said you had to change to the fiber telephone as the copper lines were being removed. However, the conversion for the telephone was as no cost. Funny thing the hardware is FIOS, but the techs say it is NOT FIOS. Turns out it is the same hardware, but FIOS is the TV/Internet part. We did not switch to FIOS for internet/TV as it was too expensive to duplicate our cable. (Plus I have had very good tech service from our ISP.) I did change my wireless from Verizon to T-Mobile after the change and saved BIG.

        Now our electric service was pretty bad for a number of years in that at least 2 times a week when I got home from work, the alarm clock and/or microwave was flashing indicating a power outage. When we did a house/kitchen remodel, we installed a 17K backup generator powered by natural gas. About 3 years later, they actually improved the electrical grid, but I will never NOT have a backup generator. In a big storm outage, I learned that even though the power is out, the cable TV and internet still worked when we were on the generator as long as the lines were not damaged.

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        • #2378839

          It may not be the Ma Bell “Monopoly” which served us so well, but it has gotten to where it’s worse than anyone foresaw.

          Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
        • #2378857

          Verizon badgered use mightily for years with lies about POTS not being reliable. We have been here 30+ years and never, ever lost the phone line. Yes we could lose power and the bell would not ring, but you could still call out.

          POTS isn’t reliable if they neglect its maintenance, so if it was unreliable, it would not be an indictment of POTS, but of their own incompetence in keeping it maintained. As I mentioned, I have POTS DSL here, along with a land-line phone, and I’ve averaged more than one outage a month over the ~10 years I have had the service. Some lasted several days… most were about a day or so.

          Then one day, finally, after umpteen call outs (often having to put three tickets in before the problem was fixed; they kept coming out and “fixing” the problem, only for me to discover nothing changed), one day they got it actually done right and there hasn’t been an issue since. One can only hope it stays that way!

          Dell XPS 13/9310, i5-1135G7/16GB, KDE Neon 6.2
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          • #2378899

            Ascaris: “POTS isn’t reliable if they neglect its maintenance

            And that is the problem in a nutshell: years ago, myself and others I know living in my area first got emails from Verizon to switch the landline from copper to FIOS (Verizon’s fiber-optics network) because they were no longer going to maintain the telephone connections over copper. Then, months later, the copper lines were disconnected for ever. Of course, by then I had a Verizon bundle with Internet, telephone and TV (that I stopped watching two years ago, but the deal is even more expensive without a “bundle”, because there is no Internet+telephone bundle.)

            So Verizon saves money by not maintaining both copper and fiber optics, and makes more money than before by offering a few different FIOS “bundles”, at least one of which one must have, whether one needs everything in it or not (and pays for what one does not need all the same).

            And one has to depend on the ONT box backup battery, for a maximum of eight hours before it goes flat, during power blackouts, something that was not an issue when the connection was over copper wires.

            Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

            MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
            Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
            macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

    • #2378615

      Apparently they had decided it was cheaper to install fiber than to maintain their existing copper cable infrastructure.

      They decided they needed to make money off of broadband and a variety of streaming programming.
      Besides a few quirks Verizon fios has been fast and more reliable than Optimum Online cable has ever been. I fought to stay on POTS but once that was not doable I used a package deal and save $80 a month.

      🍻

      Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.
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    • #2378616

      I only have power on my telephone receiver from a backup battery in my home equipment, for up to eight hours.

      Did they give you the one that uses D cell batteries? I thought they would at least be rechargeable but just alkaline. They sent me a lead acid battery by mistake but no equipment to utilize it. An decent UPS would be better.

      🍻

      Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.
      1 user thanked author for this post.
      • #2378822

        D cell alkaline batteries . . really?  Incredible!  I’d rather just use my cell phone.

        Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
    • #2378669

      when there is a local blackout, for example during and after a big storm, I only have power on my telephone receiver from a backup battery in my home equipment, for up to eight hours. I can use my cell phone after that, if the cellphone system is not also down.

      I only have  broadband cable internet service from the local cable provider, Spectrum (used to be Time Warner Road Runner). So not paying for TV or phone bundles from them or the fiber provider in our area. We have 2 choices, cable company (Spectrum) or fiber company (AT&T).

      However, I ditched the AT&T copper landline phone about 10 years ago, and ported my landline number to a 3rd party VoIP service that runs through my router. That runs about $6/month, unlimited nationwide calling and voice mail. By estimates, I have saved nearly $5,000 without a landline bill in 10 years… so there’s that! 🙂

      Since power outages are a concern with frequent summer thunderstorms in the Southeastern USA, for $40, I added a 600VA UPS dedicated to my cable modem, router, VoIP box, and a cordless phone base station. I load tested all that and it stayed up for about 3+ hours without utility power.

      If an outage exceeds that I still have my cell phone and an external battery brick that can charge that over USB for days…

       

      Windows 10 Pro 22H2

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      • #2378821

        It sounds like you’ve got all your bases covered John. Way to go!

        Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
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        • #2378850

          It sounds like you’ve got all your bases covered John. Way to go!

          Thanks. I had to do the UPS thing last summer, because I have been working remotely from home for over a year, so I needed to ensure my network resiliency.

          A nasty thunderstorm convinced me! The big beautiful trees around here like to topple our power lines in a big windstorm.

          My work laptop has a great battery, but it’s mostly useless without a network!

           

          Windows 10 Pro 22H2

      • #2380826

        Hi John,

        I was just looking back over this thread as I wanted to see if there was info on a VoIP set-up and see that you have one. I am wondering if you could give me a little more information on how a VoIP works and how you set it up. I am asking for a friend who lives in a very underserved area and often loses Verizon phone service. They can get internet over their Hughes satellite dish, and are thinking of making a switch.

        Could I ask what VoIP service you use and if you can set it up to allow a cell phone (which doesn’t get a cell signal at the location) to access it, as well as a landline phone.

        Any pointers or links you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

        Thanks so much!

        1 user thanked author for this post.
        • #2380983

          They can get internet over their Hughes satellite dish, and are thinking of making a switch.

          I may be reading this thread wrong but does not Satellite internet require a phone line still to make the HTTP requests??

          🍻

          Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.
          • #2380994

            I am not sure – something to check into!

            According to Hughes:

            *Do I need a dial-up modem and telephone line to get Internet service?

            No. There is no phone line or dial-up data modem required to use your HughesNet service.

            *Using Satellite Internet ties up your phone line.

            HughesNet delivers two-way, high-speed Internet access over satellite – not over your telephone line – so you can talk on the phone and surf the Web at the same time. That can save you money by eliminating the need for a second phone line.

            Will look into it more. Thanks!

            1 user thanked author for this post.
            • #2381116

              That is very interesting !

              HughesNet delivers two-way, high-speed Internet access over satellite

              🍻

              Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.
              1 user thanked author for this post.
    • #2379329

      @Charlie,

      You ought to check out T-Mobile internet service if they have good service in your area. It is relatively inexpensive. Not sure of the speed. They claim high-speed service. You can check availability on their website.

       

      --Joe

      1 user thanked author for this post.
    • #2380848

      I was just looking back over this thread as I wanted to see if there was info on a VoIP set-up and see that you have one. I am wondering if you could give me a little more information on how a VoIP works and how you set it up. I am asking for a friend who lives in a very underserved area and often loses Verizon phone service. They can get internet over their Hughes satellite dish, and are thinking of making a switch. Could I ask what VoIP service you use and if you can set it up to allow a cell phone (which doesn’t get a cell signal at the location) to access it, as well as a landline phone.

      Hi LHiggins!

      As far as VoIP goes, I have been using the Ooma service for 10 years. Very reliable! You just buy the box one time (typically $99, but currently on sale for $79), which includes 1 phone line with voice mail, and basic service for free. You only pay the monthly taxes and fees (based on location). My fees run less than $6/month, and are auto billed thru my Ooma account.

      As far as hooking it up, you just need to plug the Ooma device into your router via an Ethernet cable. Once it is registered with the Ooma server over the network, you will be able to make or receive calls either to a new number that they provide, or you can port an existing number to the service. I moved my AT&T land line over, and have saved a bunch of $$$$ over 10 years!

      You just need a reliable, always on, network connection with an available Ethernet port to hook up to. Voice uses much less bandwidth than streaming video for example, so you don’t need a super fast network connection. Just a reliable one.

      I am not aware of a way to hook a cell phone up to this service, but Ooma does offer a 4G wireless backup for your Ooma device for $4.95 a month (in case your internet goes down). But you would need a reliable cellular 4G service to use that feature.

      Here is a link to the Ooma site that discusses network bandwidth requirements. VoIP: Uses less than 0.5 Mbps download rate.

      https://www.ooma.com/home-phone/do-you-need-fast-internet-for-voip/

      Windows 10 Pro 22H2

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      • #2380856

        Thanks so much John! Great info that I’ll pass along to my friend and hopefully they can get something set up, since the landlines are just more and more unreliable every day. Just today they said that Verizon was trying to evaluate their cell phone signal – pretty much non-existent – to see if they could use that VoiceLink service like we have instead of the copper.

        I really appreciate the info and your help! Have a great weekend and thanks again!!

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    • #2380857

      I really appreciate the info and your help! Have a great weekend and thanks again!!

      Happy to hear that was useful info! If they are in an area with only satellite internet, and sketchy wireless, then I would assume that is probably quite a challenge for communications!

      Good luck!

      Windows 10 Pro 22H2

    • #2380942

      If they are in an area with only satellite internet, and sketchy wireless, then I would assume that is probably quite a challenge for communications!

      Yes, it is a challenge. No cable internet, often no Verizon phone when it rains, and no cell phone service, so there really is no way to communicate at times. Hopefully a VoIP will be a solution since the satellite is fairly reliable, except in a snowstorm!

      Ahhh…the country!

      Thanks again, John! I did pass your info along, and I’m sure it will be helpful for them!

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    • #2381118

      Just looking at the Hughes site https://business.hughesnet.com/how-it-works

      Good to know. Would not be good for gamers but I am not a gamer. I was thinking of moving and a more country setting where I could have a garden and space ( and not a humongous mortgage ).
      Good luck with your project!

      🍻

      Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.
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    • #2381151

      I find interesting the idea of using VoIP and ditching my landline connection from Verizon. Either way I am going to loose connection if there is a local blackout and the backup battery of the fiberoptic Optical Network Terminal (ONT) box at my place runs out, so for me it would be a more of getting  a better price than a better functionality issue. Calls still will be made and received by me over the FIOS fiberoptic link.

      So I would like to hear more about how exactly does one use VoIP: Does one use the built-in microphones and speakers of a PC? Or can one connect an actual, old-fashioned landline telephone receiver (e.g., my “Princess” model) directly to the Ooma Box mentioned by JohnW, and if so, how? Is there a voicemail server one can dial up and listen to missed messages? Can one turn off the thing to avoid being interrupted by robocalls and salesmen calls from telephone bank operators, and then turn it on again to use it to make or receive calls when necessary?

      Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

      MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
      Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
      macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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    • #2381156

      So I would like to hear more about how exactly does one use VoIP: Does one use the built-in microphones and speakers of a PC? Or can one connect an actual, old-fashioned landline telephone receiver (e.g., my “Princess” model) directly to the Ooma Box mentioned by JohnW, and if so, how? Is there a voicemail server one can dial up and listen to missed messages? Can one turn off the thing to avoid being interrupted by robocalls and salesmen calls from telephone bank operators, and then turn it on again to use it to make or receive calls when necessary?

      Yes, there are several options for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

      You can use a personal computer based solution with your computer speakers and microphone and/or a USB headset, such as Skype.

      Or, my personal choice has been to use a hardware adapter, called Ooma Telo. No need to use a computer with this type of adapter. At a minimum, you just plug the Ooma into an Ethernet LAN port on your home router, and also connect the Ooma’s RJ11 phone jack to an existing analog phone, such as your “Princess” model. https://www.ooma.com/home-phone-service/basic/

      Also, if you or someone else you know is skilled at residential phone cabling, you can always connect the Ooma RJ11 jack into your home phone wiring. I opted for a simpler solution, and just plugged my Panasonic DECT cordless phone base station into Ooma for voice coverage at home. Ooma also sells accessory compatible handsets and office phones if you need that. https://www.ooma.com/home-phone-service/accessories/

      You can get Ooma Premier for $9.99/month, with a second phone line and advanced features that would be useful for a home office. https://www.ooma.com/home-phone-service/premier/

      They have also rolled out the Ooma app, that allows you to make phone calls with your Ooma number from your smart phone. You can also check your voice mail from the app. 🙂

      Windows 10 Pro 22H2

      • This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by JohnW.
      3 users thanked author for this post.
    • #2381663

      So I would like to hear more about how exactly does one use VoIP

      One thing that I probably should have mentioned, is that if you already have “voice” as part of a high speed broadband internet/cable TV/voice bundle from your provider, you are already using VoIP. And probably paying your provider too much for the privilege.

      A hardware VoIP adapter lets you do the same thing, except a la carte, in the form of a DIY project. All you need is a good internet connection.

      Windows 10 Pro 22H2

      2 users thanked author for this post.
    • #2385890

      One thing I’m really hoping to get with VOIP is no long distance call charges when calling within the U.S.A.  I still have to put up with long distance call charges with the copper land line I have now.

      Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
    • #2385914

      One thing I’m really hoping to get with VOIP is no long distance call charges when calling within the U.S.A.  I still have to put up with long distance call charges with the copper land line I have now.

      Ugh! Domestic long distance charges. I remember those days! 🙁

      VoIP gives the same coast to coast, free calling, as most unlimited cell phone plans do.

      Windows 10 Pro 22H2

      1 user thanked author for this post.
    • #2386756

      You don’t want to get me started on cable!  To put it simply, it’s a pain, it’s not reliable, it’s costly, and I’d be on a “party line” with the whole neighborhood. And I didn’t even mention the plethora of extra Fees and charges they hit you with.

      I’ve been contemplating going over to fiber for more speed, so I guess this is the kick in the rear that I need.  I will really miss the reliability of copper though (at least the way was).

      at least you could get fibre

      many of us are stuck with one cable provider and their exorbitant pricing  schemes that go up every few months

      if you were happy with dsl maybe a hotspot would work for you

      • #2386772

        You have my sympathy.  I’ve always thought cable TV was a rip off, especially when one lives in a big city metropolitan area where OTA (Over The Air) TV met my needs nicely.  Now they’re doing the same thing with these Internet/TV/Phone bundle pricing schemes.

        I was told by the phone company in my area (MD) that they wanted to get everyone’s phones switched over to Fiber asap.  If you’re way out in the boonies they just haven’t gotten to you yet or, as they like to put it, “It’s not cost effective” where you are.

        Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's
    • #2387284

      Just because you get fiber does NOT mean you get the whole VOIP type service. My GF got converted but the phone extras only apply if she took an internet package.

      🍻

      Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.
      1 user thanked author for this post.
    • #2387304

      Just because you get fiber does NOT mean you get the whole VOIP type service. My GF got converted but the phone extras only apply if she took an internet package.

      You can still “roll your own” VoIP package by selecting a VoIP hardware adapter and plugging it into a LAN port on your router.

      Fiber internet service should provide an excellent and reliable internet resource for that voice  service! No reason to pay for a “bundle” with your provider! Except maybe for support if you are not very technical…

      Windows 10 Pro 22H2

      1 user thanked author for this post.
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    Reply To: My ISP says it can’t continue DSL over copper

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