netTALK DUO WiFi Review

I’m one of the few people who still relies on a landline. Although I have a pay-as-you go cell phone for emergencies – I pay $10 a year for the minutes and rarely use it! – my primary number that I make all of my calls on is a landline. While I would like to switch to a full-time mobile, it simply isn’t a cost-effective option for me, as the majority of the phone calls I make are international. Currently, I use a basic landline plan combined with 10-10-987 in order to call home without an exorbitant cost, but it’s still not cheap. With the rise in VoIP options now available, I’ve been researching what alternatives might be available as I’d like to get rid of my landline altogether in favor of something less expensive; but between high cost of VoIP units, vague information about plans, and lack of 911 access, I had yet to find anything that could be a workable alternative. So when I had an opportunity to review a complimentary netTALK DUO WiFi device, I was very interested to see how this would compare.

The netTALK DUO WiFi device retails for an affordable $64.95 and includes a slew of features: Each device comes with one year of service that includes unlimited calling in the US & Canada, 911, the ability to keep your existing phone number, and much more. Setup was pretty easy – you just take the netTALK device and plug in your phone line, Ethernet cable, and the USB cable which powers it. After setting up a netTALK account, the device should automatically connect to your network and make the phone ring one time. Jai found that the device didn’t connect at first when he plugged it into his USB AC wall adapter, but as soon as he plugged it directly into his computer it worked instantly and he was able to make calls right away. He later connected it back into the AC adapter and it worked once again. It just seems to need a couple of power cycles to connect but once it does, it stays connected. The WIFI worked flawlessly as well. It never required any configuration and just seemed to connect and work, although every time the power was removed it took 2-3 power cycles to connect again.

In terms of the international calling, you can either add credit on the website on a per-call website or buy a flat rate plan. They have an extensive chart of rates to each country, and for a standard UK number (Not mobile), it would run me about one cent a minute – far cheaper than the 9 cents per minute + 55 cents to connect that I pay via 10-10-987. For a flat rate plan, I can spend $120 for unlimited calling for one year. These prices are fantastic; you just have to be sure to do your research ahead of time. If you’re calling someone on a mobile phone, the price will vary greatly; it also says that taxes apply, and I’m not sure how that charge is assessed.

One of the large deterrents to me in switching to VoIP is the fact that traditional 911 is not available through it. Through netTALK, you can access their enhanced 911 plan, but they do advise that not every 911 center will be equipped to receive all of the data they transmit and you may need to be prepared to tell the operator your address (A similar problem is posed by cell phones). They strongly advise having an alternative means of accessing standard 911 services, which is what I plan to do.

You also have to consider netTALK’s “Reasonable use policy”, in which they retain the right to shut down customers for excessive use, which they define as 3,000 minutes per month. That is quite reasonable and wouldn’t pose a problem, except for their clause about businesses: It is considered “Unauthorized/unacceptable” use of your phone plan to use it for business calls, even if your residence is a business. Since I am self-employed, this poses possible issues for me. ETA – 12/3/12: NetTALK have advised me that they are looking into revising the “Reasonable Use Policy”.

Although there is a lot to consider in terms of switching over to VoIP, I am very interested to see how this will work out for me long term. Once I’ve had a few more months to regularly use this device and get a good feel for what to expect, I will seriously consider dropping one our landlines, since Jai and I each have one. I do think the low international rates are very promising and I’m glad to have been introduced to netTALK!

The netTALK DUO WiFi makes a great gift for techies and those looking for an alternative to landline phones. Each unit retails for $64.95 plus tax and includes one year of domestic calling service – learn more & purchase at NetTalk.com.