Gadling gear review - Ooma free home phone service

So, why a VOIP adapter here on Gadling? Several reasons:

• The VOIP adapter can be taken abroad - it isn't the smallest of adapters, but if you are abroad for any length of time, all you need is an Internet connection and an outlet, and you have yourself a US number and unlimited free calls.
• The Ooma service includes several services that can really benefit travelers. Their call forwarding includes an option to ring your home Ooma number, as well as a second number at the same time. In addition to this, Ooma can optionally send your voicemail messages to your email address.
• Affordable international rates - International calls on Ooma are optional, and you'll need to pre-pay for some international call credits, but the rates are very reasonable. Most European countries are under 5 cents/minute, with some as low as 1.9 cents/minute.
• Area code freedom - you can pick your own area code, which means you can give friends and family a local number, even when you are nowhere near them.

The basic Ooma package includes the main Ooma adapter, called the Hub. This device is miles ahead of any other VOIP adapter I've ever tested, because it doubles as an answering machine. On the front of the Hub are buttons to control the answering machine, see which of your two lines are in use, and whether you have messages. On the side of the unit is a volume control and a brightness dial - a very nice touch.



The Ooma Hub feels very well designed, and looks fantastic. It certainly won't look out of place in your living room or desk.




The Ooma Scout is a secondary Ooma controller. If you install Ooma at home, you can plug the Ooma Core into any spare home phone jack, then plug the Scout into any other spare jack. Since these phone jacks are no longer being used by the overpriced home phone company, you can use them for Ooma. You can then plug a second phone into the back of the Scout.

Once hooked up correctly, the Ooma Scout provides the same answering machine controls as on the Core.



The Online control panel is called the Ooma Lounge - it is where you control all aspects of the Ooma service. The basics are all there - caller ID settings, call forwarding and voicemail settings. The Ooma Lounge also provides access to some other nifty services like telemarketing blacklists, various call connection tones and the ability to prepay for international calling. Because all the settings can be accessed online, you'll be able to control your home phone service even when you are abroad.

Ooma Premier is an optional add-on for Ooma subscribers - for just $99/year, you get a huge list of additional features, including three-way calling, a second line, multi-ring, enhanced voicemail, community blacklist, free number portability, custom ringers, private voicemail boxes, personal numbers and more.

Conclusion and pricing

Ooma is currently on sale through several online retailers for just $189.99 - which includes the Ooma Core and the Ooma Scout. Think about it - $189.99 for lifetime free phone service. Even the cheapest landline service from the phone company costs about $20, which means you'll start saving after 9 months, plus most of those basic services don't come with any features.

There are other home VOIP services, and several online phone providers, but to me, Ooma has proven to be an extremely reliable and easy to use solution. The Ooma Core is a little on the large side for travel, but is light enough to pack in a suitcase if you want unlimited US calls when you are abroad. One minor detail - the Ooma power adapter is only rated for 120V, so for countries with different voltages, you'll need a converter.

The online services and low international rates make Ooma the perfect setup for someone regularly on the road, who still wants an old fashioned landline back home.

Ooma is on sale at Bestbuy, Fry's, Costco and many other large retailers, as well as Ooma.com. The product comes with a 30 day money back guarantee.