You can also use Magic Jack for unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada for $20 per year. If your computer is off or your internet or power is down, calls go to voicemail, and you then get an email immediately and can listen to the voicemail in Realplayer. They also offer cheap international rates... http://www.magicjack.com/6/index.asp https://web04.magicjack.com/my/international/
I've thought about the magic jack, but I wonder if leaving a computer on all the time is a bad idea? Sure, we would turn it off when away for over a day, on vacation, out of town, etc., Maybe I can plug it in to an old laptop or desktop that I don't use anymore, and just let it run? Just have fire concerns if the laptop or desktop doesn't shut down if overheated... Since ALL I seem to get are telemarketing calls, I'm getting tired of paying $77/month for a phone that I wish wasn't there.
I tried Ooma which is like magic jack but the quality was so poor I had to go back to my regular line. Even when it does work internet access slows to a crawl when someone uses the phone. I guess if your internet quality is way above normal cable internet you might be OK. My internet service is time warner cable and it wasn't a good experience.