VOIP ?

[Pete!]

I have a hearing disability that makes the tiny speakers on cellphones a problem. My amplified landline with full size speakers works out much better.

I've been hanging onto my "copper wire" landline because it has proved to be more reliable during power outages. "Superstorm Sandy" prooved that electric power can be out longer than back-up batteries will last.

My carrier (Verizon) has given me until October 2024 to change to FIOS, or lose the line :(

IMHO: If I'm going to become dependent on my rather unreliable electric utility, there's no reason to pay Verizon's prices.

I've been looking at VOIP providers that have a phone jack, that will allow me to use my existing landline phones, but I'm concerned about quality...

1. Ooma - about $10 a month.
2. MagicJack - about $50 a year
3. Vontage - about $10 a month

Each has the "plus taxes and fees" disclaimer, so that's also a concern, but my current carrier is notorious for hidden fees.

My current internet provider is T-Mobile Home Internet. Depending on traffic, I get between 80 and 300 mbps download, and 30 to 100 mbps upload.

A long time ago, in a different forum, I heard bad things about MagicJack, that may no longer be applicable. I'm currently favoring Ooma because they have a relationship with T-Mobile.

Does anyone with VOIP experience, have any advice to give?
Id there anything about the above services to avoid?
Should I cut my last cord, or continue to pay Verizon's inflated prices?

[Corrine]

Sorry, Pete, I gave up my landline years ago and never used VOIP. 

I have no idea is it is helpful but one possibility to consider is to compare your cable internet service provider with Verizon's packages, thus eliminating a separate cable bill and maintaining your landline as well as internet.

https://www.verizonspecials.com/fios-bundles

[winchester73]

I have Google Voice via Google Fiber, $10/mo unlimited calling.  I mention the Fiber because that's what I have, but I'm not sure that you can't use any internet provider.  They provide the box, hook up one 'base' station to it, and if you have a cordless base station and additional handsets they can be used as well.  Goes out if the power does.  Their spam filter is really solid, my phone rings a lot less each day.  Voicemail and message capabilities.  I ported over my old landline number, but they also give you a temporary number until the transition is completed, and you can maintain that number as well as your landline number if you have a need for two.

[Pete!]

Our cable provider (Optimum/Altice) is the least reliable utility we've got, and just as overpriced and prone to hidden extras as Verizon.

When I heard that a local business had switched to MajicJack ... I remembered an old post on Freedomlist, panning the MagicJack. Since a lot of former members migrated here, I wondered if anyone had some experience with VOIP using full sized handsets with speakers large enough to handle the lower pitches that I can still hear.

Just saw Winchester73's reply, I guess I need to find our if Google Voice Has ironed out the problems it was having with T-Mobile 5G internet. The problem was mentioned on a years-old post at Bleeping Computer, but I never found out if it was solved.