As an add on to this conversation regarding emergencies. Make sure your cell has reverse 911 (if available) for city/county emergencies. We lost many in fires who did not have this and got caught in fire storms and mud slides/flash floods. In these situations the danger was known, news reports gave information that the location was far enough away to give them some time for getting out, albeit a very short time. Emergency personnel going to so many homes was burdening the ability to get to all and in some cases not possible to do so. You need to sign up for reverse 911, registration should be for each phone. The use is for more than just natural devastations. Once the call/message is answered it won't repeat the information. Our city just started this last year due to the floods and fires. Most land lines already had the option. Check to see if you have this available, many cities are still working on activation. Also, somewhere in the last few years I remember having mobile phones connected to a main unit inhouse. Nothing worked when electric went out, so yes to the battery backup or the wonderful phone you found. I also took out the kitchen unit for tiling and it shut down the other connections. So make sure you don't mess with the main line, perhaps just cover it up with something that matches the backsplash and can be removed. Landlines are not available in my neighborhood area either, connections are strictly for electronic use. I never considered this until mentioned here. And now remember when my kids told me it was time to just go cell and get rid of the landline. But I'm not good at knowing where the cell is most of the time and unless it rings couldn't tell you on a moments notice. Doesn't bear well for emergencies either way since I'm the only one here. Tethered is not going to happen, out of reach does me little good if there were an emergency. How do others handle this one?

I think maybe we are getting it straightened out. I did finally get through to them and they certainly have tried everythihng. Apparently someplace some one mispelled my name and for some reason someone got the credit card mixed up. they had 2 different names and 2 different credit card numbers and codes. A real mess. They have cancelled everything and started over fresh to register. They'll send me an email to-morrow and hopefully it will be all straightened out. From the few calls I did make on it, l was well pleased so think it is good to be determined. Thanks everyone.

Well like I said above back in January I ordered on and it finally came today 2 months later after two frustrating on line sessions with their help desk. They screwed up the first time by sending it to someone with the same name in a different city. The second time I called they said that the new order they'd placed for me had been "cancelled" so they opened a 3rd order. That was about 2 weeks ago and like I said I got it today. It installed really easily and although I've only used it about 5 times, testing to friends across the country it works extremely well. The clarity is very good everyone said. I'm in Canada and they don't have any Canadian area codes for giving out numbers so you have to pick a US area code and it assigns your Magic Jack a phone number automatically in that area code. I chose Michigan which is closest to me so whenever I phone someone on it it looks like the call is coming from the 810 Michigan exchange. When Canadian area codes become available they say they will let you change your number once for free. So far I think it works and after a week if I'm still happy with it I'm going to cancel my $20 a month long distance carrier. We make a lot of long distance calls. Also it's cheaper than having a second line as one person can be chatting on the Magic Jack phone and your regular phone is available for calls.

Good point, bump! Several months ago I got one of those straight talk phones from walmart. I absolutely loved it and the price! It took a couple of weeks before I realized that I also have a long distance number. That's the one drawback. Yes, most people have a cellphone so long distance makes no diff, but a few people out there don't. Plus, people will see your number and forget to put in the area code and think that there's a problem with your phone or the number. I always have to be sure to include my area code when giving my number even to local people.