Question : How is VOIP phone or Skype compared to regular ATT phone?
I understand the cost is lower, but how about reliabilty and quality? Also, our internet is through the phone company so how does that affect the price? Thanks! (We use Skpe for international calls but I don’t know about domestic calls.)
att voip

Best answer:

Answer by Jeff B.
Skype is hard to beat for for long distance calling. If you already use Skype from your PC you can’t beat it for USA/Canada domestic calling if you purchase “Skype Unlimited”. For $ 29.95 you get unlimited USA/Canada calling for 1 full year. If you get the Skype CIT-400 adapter and phone, you can do it without turning on your PC.
But, Skype is not a “home phone replacement service” – they do not have 911 emergency calling and advise as such.

For home phone replacement service there are “numerous” to choose from. I use InPhonex as my home phone replacement service because they provide 911 in Canada (where I live), even though InPhonex is a USA company.
I also use CallCentric a lot, which I like (but no 911 in Canada).
Packet8 may be a good choice, too.
I have more information on my web site CQ VoIP Call (link is in my profile).

Call quality is an ongoing debateable issue. Many factors affect call quality.
If you have at least 1.5 Mbs HighSpeed Internet with your phone company, but you still have to pay them for your regular phone, it would be redundant to have full service VoIP at same time as regular phone (just keep using Skype for long distance instead).
However, if you want to pull the plug on your phone company (like I did), then try highspeed Internet service with your cable company (if you have one). Then, with cable and a VoIP full service company, it is possible to completely pull the plug on Ma Bell (or AT&T). Actually, AT&T has a VoIP service too, called “AT&T CallVantage” (could be worth a look).

So, there are many options – just depends on your strategy and what you really want to do.
Oh, yes there is also the issue of 911 access during power outages….