8x8 Packet8 Broadband VoIP Service with DTA-310 Phone Adapter Review
September 25th, 2009
8×8 Packet8 Broadband VoIP Service with DTA-310 Phone Adapter Review from David Pearlman sound fanatic. Great device: Works well, saves big money…, Traditional phone companies are worried, and this device is why. Take this device, plug it into your broadband network via an ethernet cable, do a little bit of easy setup and…you have phone service. Once through the setup, you have a small box with a standard phone jack on it. Plus ANY standard phone into the jack and it will act just as you expect, just as if you’d plugged it into a standard phone jack in the wall. The difference is that your calls are routed through your broadband connection. The price is currently $20/month for unlimited continental US service, which beats any traditional phone service offer. You can also place international calls for a LOT less than with a standard phone service. (They even offer unlimited calling to certain foreign countries for a low price).
OK, here’s a rundown of the big questions you may have (and that I had):
1) How is the sound quality? Quality is very good. It is MUCH better than a cell phone (ANY cell phone). It is not quite as good as the VERY BEST traditional land-line phone, but it is as good or better than the land-line service that many people have. It is much better than acceptable.
2) What do you you need to use it? You need a broadband connection (cable or DSL). If you don’t have cable or DSL, don’t buy this. It will be a paperweight.
3) Is it a good deal? Right now, Amazon is offering this device with a rebate that makes it free, plus two months free service. (…)
4) Can I use the DTA-310 without a PC attached? Yes.
5) How is this any better than net-phones they sell where you just plug it into your PC and talk for free–no monthly charges?
A) Those devices require a PC to work; B) Those devices only work between two parties that BOTH have the device attached to their PC; C) Call quality for those devices is typically inferior. The beauty of the DTA-310, and the reason you are paying a monthly service charge, is that your call goes from your adapter to a REAL PHONE COMPANY SWITCHING CENTER, and then out to the person on the other end. This means you can call ANY number, including cell phones. It means the person you call does not need to have one of these devices, or even know that you are using the device. It also means you get “real” normal quality phone connections.
6) Will my DTA-310 only work at my home? No, it can be taken with you anywhere there’s a broadband connection. It identifies itself to the network based on a unique ID chip in the box. That ID is sent to the “home office” and once confirmed (automatically), you’re set to call. This means you can use the box in your hotel room (if broadband equipped), your friend’s house, etc. Imagine unlimted long distance calls from your hotel room!
7) Will this device work with phone connected devices other than phones (e.g. FAX machines, Replay/Tivo, etc.)? No, not officially. These devices are not at present supported. However, I have found that they will work, but connections are intermittant. You would not want to trust an important FAX to a FAX machine connected to one of of these boxes. However, if you are patient, you can usually get a FAX to go through eventually.
In all, this is a great device. I expect that there will eventually be a lot of competition in this sector. But right now, there is not, and the deal that Amazon is offering on this particular unit makes it (IMHO) the best deal out there. Try it for 3 months (…)after rebate (as described above). By then, you’ll either be in love, or you can dump the service and probably sell off your used DTA-310 box to more than cover (…) your have spent!
To check price or purchase 8×8 Packet8 Broadband VoIP Service with DTA-310 Phone Adapter.
Related posts with 8x8 Packet8 Broadband VoIP Service with DTA-310 Phone Adapter Review
Posted in Apple MacBook | 
Tags: 8x8 Packet8, Amazon, Broadband Connection, Broadband Network, Broadband Service, Cable Or Dsl, Cell Phone, Connection Cable, David Pearlman, Ethernet Cable, Foreign Countries, International Calls, Little Bit, Months Free Service, Paperweight, Pc C, Quality Quality, Rundown, Sound Quality, Traditional Phone Service
