Another Low Cost Internet Phone Device - NetTalk DUO
by Ira Wilsker

WEBSITE:
http://www.nettalk.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voip
http://www.magicjack.com

	I am always on the lookout for bargains, and ways to save some money.  Like many of my readers, I am not using my telephone landline as much as I have in the past, but still receive a sizeable monthly phone bill.  I have not used my landline phone for long distance calls in eons, because of the easy long distance access on my cell phone, supplemented by the MagicJack internet phone service that I wrote about in early 2009.
	There has been explosive growth in the popularity of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), much to the chagrin of the traditional telephone industry.  Millions of customers have forgone the convenience and cost of traditional phone service, in favor of cell phones, and VoIP services.  It is nearly impossible to turn on the TV and not see an ad for a cell phone carrier, or internet based phone service.  None of my four adult children have a traditional home phone, but use their cell phones and VoIP phones exclusively at home.
	For the past 18 months I have been using the widely advertised and inexpensive MagicJack to supplement my cell phone for making long distance phone calls from home, as well as a method of making calls while traveling away from home.  At home, I have been using the MagicJack to make long distance calls during the day on weekdays, rather than burn prime cell phone minutes; evenings and weekends, with unlimited cell phone minutes, the cell phone is my chosen device.  My landline is only occasionally used to make local calls, and rarely to send or receive a fax; financially, with such little actual use, my landline is becoming an expensive anachronism.  When traveling, I have sometimes taken my MagicJack with me to use to make local phone calls from the internet in my hotel room, without expensive hotel phone charges, or consuming prime cell phone minutes.
	Mostly, I have been happy with my MagicJack.  I have the base unit of a multi-handset cordless phone plugged into it, which allows us to use the MagicJack throughout the house, with cordless handsets in most rooms.  My only issues with it have been that it takes a lot of time to load after I boot my computer, and that the computer must be on in order for it to function, as it must be connected to an active and powered USB port in order to work.  Since I turn my computer off when I am not using it, the MagicJack is unavailable, unless I boot my computer.  Other than that, the MagicJack works well, offers unlimited local and long distance calling, was extremely easy to install and setup, and does everything that it is advertised to do, for a very low cost ($39.95 for the device and the first year's service, $19.95 per year thereafter - that is the advertised $1.70 per month).
	In July, a lesser known competitor, NetTalk (www.nettalk.com), released its second model of a competing device, the NetTalk DUO.  Just like the MagicJack, the NetTalk DUO is very small (2.7 inch x 1.5 inch x 0.9 inch), extremely easy to setup, requires a broadband internet source, and has a phone jack which can connect to any standard corded or cordless phone.  Similarly, the NetTalk DUO offers unlimited local and long distance calls to the U.S. and Canada, at a low fixed price.  Where the NetTalk DUO primarily differs from the MagicJack, is that it can connect directly to a broadband router, and does not require a connection to a computer.  Since a router connected to a broadband service is typically always on, the NetTalk DUO is also always on, providing 24/7 VoIP service, without the need to have a booted computer.  As long as there is a functional router, there is actually no need to even have a computer connected to the internet in order to use the NetTalk DUO.  For those cases where there is broadband internet service but no router, such as in a hotel room, internet cafe, hotspot, college dorm room, or other such location, the NetTalk DUO also has the ability to connect to the USB port on a computer, just like the MagicJack.  Apparently the "DUO" in the NetTalk moniker means it has the ability to connect via two methods; USB or router.  The NetTalk DUO comes complete with all necessary cables, and an AC adapter.
	This enhanced functionally comes at a price, though not a very high one.  The NetTalk DUO sells for $69.95, and includes the first year of unlimited local and long distance phone service; subsequent phone service is $29.95 per year, or about $2.50 per month.  Even though the device itself is $30 more than the MagicJack, and the subsequent second year of service is $10 more (per year, not per month), there have been some pundits who have claimed that the  NetTalk Duo is actually less expensive to operate than a MagicJack, when energy savings are considered.  Since the NetTalk DUO does not require that a computer be turned on, the extra 80 cent additional monthly cost of the NetTalk DUO (less than 3 cents additional per day) would be more than made up in energy savings.  I have not personally verified this claim, but it does not seem unreasonable.  
	The NetTalk DUO offers a free U.S. Phone number at activation, but according to some published reviews, local phone numbers are not yet available for all locations.  According to a NetTalk support forum response, NetTalk will try to add more local numbers as they are requested.  NetTalk also offers call waiting, 3 way calling, caller ID, free 411 (directory assistance), enhanced 911 service, priority call forwarding, and works with most fax machines to send and receive faxes (subject to the limitations of VoIP technology).  Free voice mail service is included, as well as the capability to automatically send the voicemail message to the recipient via email.  Calling other NetTalk customers anywhere in the world is free, and calls to other international destinations are deeply discounted.  The NetTalk DUO can be used in a home or office environment as a replacement for traditional phone service.  At present, phone number portability is not yet available, meaning that users of the NetTalk DUO will receive a new phone number, rather than be able to use an existing phone number.  This lack of phone number portability may be changing, as most competitive services either already have or will shortly have phone number portability, so I will assume that NetTalk will have to follow suit.  About the only con of replacing a traditional landline with NetTalk (or any other VoIP provider), is that NetTalk requires that there be power, and will not work during a power failure, or if the internet connection is otherwise unavailable; most landlines do not require an external power source.  NetTalk does not require an annual contract, unlike some of the other VoIP providers.
	For those who travel internationally, the NetTalk DUO can be used anywhere there is a broadband connection, allowing the user to call the U.S. and Canada for free, as well as receive calls from the U.S. and Canada without the caller incurring international long distance charges.
	NetTalk uses the trademarked expression "Fire your phone company!"  If it works as well as my early experiences show, that may be a viable option.