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MagicJack's next act: disappearing cell phone fees
YahooTech ^ | 1/8/2010 | ak267

Posted on 01/08/2010 5:07:41 PM PST by ak267

LAS VEGAS - The company behind the magicJack, the cheap Internet phone gadget that's been heavily promoted on TV, has made a new version of the device that allows free calls from cell phones in the home, in a fashion that's sure to draw protest from cellular carriers.

The new magicJack uses, without permission, radio frequencies for which cellular carriers have paid billions of dollars for exclusive licenses.

(Excerpt) Read more at tech.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: cellphone; ices; magicjack

1 posted on 01/08/2010 5:07:42 PM PST by ak267
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To: ak267
Friends of mine have cell phone usage thru comcast and based on my prior connections with them its very questionable.

I can't figure out how that Magic Jack could match my current cell phone carrier.....

2 posted on 01/08/2010 5:11:40 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (I want a hoochie-mama for Christmas, only a hoochie-mama will do............)
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To: ak267

What seems inevitable are Skype phones. Free Skype to Skype. Use it for all of your friends and family calls. I bet someone already has a widget that will do this with a walk-around handset phone.


3 posted on 01/08/2010 5:16:50 PM PST by InterceptPoint
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To: Hot Tabasco

Our neighbor has a Comcast land line. I let her use our phone to call them when she loses service.


4 posted on 01/08/2010 5:17:37 PM PST by magslinger (Cry MALAISE! and let slip the dogs of incompetence.)
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To: ak267

MagicJack could be asking for trouble this time. It will be interesting to see what happens with this.


5 posted on 01/08/2010 5:24:46 PM PST by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards,com)
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To: InterceptPoint

http://www.intomobile.com/2008/05/12/att-rolls-out-unlimited-20month-data-only-plan-for-pre-paid-pay-as-you-go-plans-great-news-for-iphone.html


6 posted on 01/08/2010 5:34:19 PM PST by John Will
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To: InterceptPoint

I talk to my brother in the Philippines through Skype. He’s the tech liaison for a major company that deals with networking from the North America to Asia, and I’m a believer in the service. Heck, every Filipino in L.A. uses it to communicate with RP.


7 posted on 01/08/2010 5:41:46 PM PST by max americana
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To: Hot Tabasco
I got a MagicJack just for grins a few months ago. It works well unless I try to surf the Internet on the same PC while talking on the MJ phone that is connected to it -- must consume needed bandwidth, I figure.

I like it because, for $20 a year, you get a designated local number, voicemail (that forwards a recording to any email address) and unlimited calling in the US.

Very cool indeed.

8 posted on 01/08/2010 5:51:17 PM PST by PackerBoy (Just my opinion ....)
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To: PackerBoy

Yeah, it’s great for phone banks for calling for candidates...


9 posted on 01/08/2010 6:13:16 PM PST by Free Vulcan (No prisoners, no mercy. 2010 awaits...)
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To: John Will

That’s very good news. I’m Verizon iPhone holdout hoping that my company will cut some sort of a deal with Apple. Time will tell on that but $20/month for portable Internet access sounds pretty good. I’m tempted.


10 posted on 01/08/2010 6:22:43 PM PST by InterceptPoint
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To: GeronL

MagicJack is OK with this legally ,, there are companies that run both landline and cell divisions that are selling a similar product that has been around for years ,, available in Tampa FL ,, your cell phone connects to landline service via a similar device while within range at your home and via cell towers when out of range..


11 posted on 01/08/2010 6:35:12 PM PST by Neidermeyer
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To: Neidermeyer

but if it uses their frequency...


12 posted on 01/08/2010 6:40:50 PM PST by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards,com)
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To: GeronL

According to the article the license for the cell/GSM bandwidth the cell companies lease/license does not include “inside the home” so MagicJack is legally safe (although nuisance suits will no doubt be filed)..


13 posted on 01/08/2010 6:49:22 PM PST by Neidermeyer
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To: GeronL

I work in hospitals ,, every hospital has dozens of transmitters that operate on the 800/850/900/1800/1900 cell freq’s to block calls ... doesn’t make sense to me they “jam” calls on the pretense that they may interfere with equipment and then they themselves flood the building with the very same freq’s with their jammers??? All this does is force cell phones that were left on to operate at higher output levels attempting to communicate with the tower... makes the situation worse it would seem.

But my point is the hospitals aren’t getting sued and they are using the same freq’s/spectrum.. AND they are obviously costing the cell companies revenue.


14 posted on 01/08/2010 6:55:35 PM PST by Neidermeyer
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To: Neidermeyer

Alright, if thats true then I stand up for MagicJack.


15 posted on 01/08/2010 7:15:10 PM PST by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards,com)
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To: ak267; informavoracious; larose; RJR_fan; Prospero; Conservative Vermont Vet; ...
+

Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:

Add me / Remove me

Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of general interest.

16 posted on 01/08/2010 7:16:51 PM PST by narses ('in an odd way this is cheering news!'.)
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To: Neidermeyer

Our hospital issues cell phones for mobile workers who must stay in touch. We also use Vocera for workers who must keep in touch, which I understand uses windows mobile 6.1 smartphone technology. Very snazzy gadget the Vocera is. Think of Star Trek communicators, truly hands free communication.


17 posted on 01/08/2010 7:24:27 PM PST by gracie1 (visualize whirled peas)
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To: magslinger

I have the Comcast phone line and it is the best landline I ever had in past 15 years. Yes it goes out when the cable does, but I do have cell phone for back up.

My regular land line with AT&T only worked for 5-10 days a month for the last year I had it. Calls to get it fixed usually got it going for a day or 2 then back out again. I had 2 land lines back then and the other one did work.

Later they just stopped even trying to fix it.


18 posted on 01/08/2010 7:25:12 PM PST by packrat35 (Democrat Healthcare is a 9-11 Attack on the Constitution)
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To: PackerBoy

I have though of getting the magicjack and you have about convinced me.


19 posted on 01/08/2010 7:26:35 PM PST by packrat35 (Democrat Healthcare is a 9-11 Attack on the Constitution)
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