Ooma, a new VoIP provider, hopes to bring voice calling everywhere closer to "free". In fact, Ooma offers 100% free domestic U.S. calling using your standard analog/cordless phone to any domestic destination. (They charge for international) I'm sure Vonage, Packet8, and other broadband VoIP players aren't too thrilled with this.With Ooma you shell out mad money - $399 - which gets you a sleek Ooma Hub with lifetime free local and long distance service. I can't help but think of SunRocket's failed $199 per year business model.
Anyway, the Ooma Hub connects to your Internet connection and your landline, which is then shared with other Ooma users. Essentially the Ooma box is a local gateway for other Ooma users. It's worth mentioning that it uses your regular landline for 911 calling which helps get around liability issues.
You can extend Ooma to other parts of your house using $40 Ooma Scouts. So what's the catch? Well, Ooma boxes act similar to Skype P2P supernodes, essentially using your spare bandwidth to route other Ooma users' calls. According to Walt Mossberg who reviewed Ooma, "To build its network, Ooma will be seeding the country with 1,500 boxes over the summer. These will be provided free of charge. But the only way to get one, if you aren’t on the initial list, is to know somebody who has one. Each recipient gets three tokens — redeemable for a free Ooma — to give to others."
Damn it, why am I not on this initial list? I'll see if I can snag a review unit. Stay tuned.
Update:
Just learned that Ashton Kutcher is the Creative Director for Ooma. Yes, that Ashton Kutcher of Punk'd and That 70s Show fame. Talk Crunch has a podcast interview with Ashton and the founder of Ooma.
Let's just hope customers paying out the $399 don't get Punk'd like the SunRocket customers were.
Update 2:
Sean Parker, co-founder of Napster, is also part of Ooma.
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Are you kidding me!?
For life? or until they stop profitting and their server goes down and everyone is left with a sleek ooma door stop that they cant use with other providers...
Sound farmiliar? I think so. There is no way a bussiness can prosper without annual income. A one time purchase cannot guarentee years of service.
Big eye roll on this one.
Ooma has a money making plan, and if you'd done your homework you'd know it. *Rolls eyes*
I've been seriously looking at this company. I haven't gotten involved with VOIP services because of the call quality issues, and so forth, but this one looks very good to me.
You can use the Ooma just as it is, or you can opt to pay a monthly fee for 'Premier' services. And at this time they're offering a scout and the main Ooma unit for 250.00. It sounds very good to me.
ooma Premier (optional: $12.99/month or $99.99/year)
Which consists of:ooma Premier (optional: $12.99/month or $99.99/year)
* Free number porting: Transfer an existing number for free with an annual subscription to ooma Premier
* Message screening: Screen your calls by listening in as a caller is leaving their message
* Voicemail forwarding: Have your voicemail automatically forwarded to email
* Instant Second Line: Make a second call even when someone else is on the phone (requires ooma Scout)
* Enhanced call-waiting: Answer an incoming call even when someone else is on the phone (requires ooma Scout)
* Three-way conferencing: Conference two lines together at a push of a button
* Send to Voicemail: Transfer a call to voicemail at a touch of a button
* Do Not Disturb: Transfer all incoming calls directly to voicemail at a touch of a button
* Personal numbers: Select additional phone numbers in any calling area in the US
* Directed ringing: Create private extensions which are dedicated to a personal number
* Private voicemail: Create private voicemail and Lounge accounts dedicated to a personal number
* Distinctive ringing: Control the ring pattern based on a personal number