Review by Barovelli 
UPDATED: 1.2 years ago
member for 6.7 years, 1170 visits, last login: 1 days ago
 Pacific Grove,Monterey,CA
 $53 per month
 about 7 days
 "Full featured, virtual clone of traditional phone service, but modernized"
 "Only one level of service - full. Power questionable."
 "Good for on the go'ers. Having Cable Internet adds to the value."
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(ratings match consensus)
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Had Comcast CDV installed 5 weeks ago. Moved two phone numbers over from ATT. One of the first install in the area, I had 3 techs arrive to install. Service is delivered by another inside the house box (EMTA) that replaces the cable modem if leased. Cable comes in, a max of 2 phone lines and internet come out. There is a built in backup battery to sustain the phone for a short outage. The tech took the cable input off of the distribution amp and fed the box with a non-amplified signal with a directional coupler. Reason for that is in case of a power failure the amplifier would shut off the signal. There are newer amplifiers that bypass one port in event of power failures, but my 5 year old amp is not one of them.I used to have the cable modem on a UPS so the EMTA is now on it too.
Getting set up was easy, tech did download a setup program that installed (and later deleted) with no damage to a 2 year old install of XP.Tech did have a long hold time with a call center. The existing phone wiring is used for distribution. After a tutorial and read of the envelope of documentation it was very straightforward. The phone works like it always did, the dialtone sounds the same, the ring duration sounds the same. Phones with caller ID work the same. Phones that alert you to voicemail messages work. Dialing local and long distance is the same.
411 calls try and work with voice recognition - worked 1 out of 3 times. When it fails a live operator comes on quickly.
The feature set is packed in our area. Voicemail, caller ID, 3 way, call return, call forward, speed dial, a host of call blocking options, local toll and long distance. I never bought those services from the old phone company cause I am cheap. Best feature yet is the voice mail, I've thrown out the answering machine. Most impressive is the online summary - every identifiable placed and received call is listed online. Like VOIP services, voicemail can be fetched online from anywhere you log in.
Unlike VOIP, it is not on the Internet. You cannot take the box to another location and get your calls.
You cannot get a lifeline or basic service. The full package is the only package. Costs, at the promotional rate of $33/mo, plus second line $10 and voicemail on second line for another $10 I am at the same cost of my former barebones service with just caller ID from ATT.
I maintained my unlisted number status. There have been no telemarketing calls since switching - except from the ex-phone company.
ATT mailed me 3 days after switching, offering one line with caller ID and two other features for $32/mo plus the $8 in taxes, plus LD & local toll charges. Also would throw in a $50 gift card. Not taking the offer, a week later there was a phone call with a similar pitch and what could only be described as an 'exit interview'. Reasons for leaving are value/price and a couple of disappointing repair calls (three days without a PHONE?) from ATT.
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