I’ve long been a proponent of Voice over IP (VoIP), having dumped the phone company over 7 years ago. During this period I’ve used 2 major vendors and only switched to the latest one because my former VOIP supplier was getting greedy. The price performance has been outstanding and the quality has been more than acceptable. I’ve never stood still and have continuously compared other VoIP providers offers, but I have not considered magicJack a serious player. This is because the magicJack required your computer to be running for it to work.. That’s until now! The new magicJack PLUS can be plugged into a router or broadband modem, just like the big boys. Also, I got turned off by the extremely annoying video on their home page.
Before I get into the details, perhaps a little refresher is in order. To use the magic Jack, or any VoIP device for that matter, you’ll need a broadband Internet connection. For magicJack a minimum bandwidth UPLOAD speed of 128 kb/s is required. This would probably be cable or DSL, but not satellite. It doesn’t make sense for someone to subscribe to broadband just for the telephone capability, so Grandma and Grandpa may want to stay with Ma Bell. You should also have a minimum understanding of your home network, because there will be times that you’ll have to reboot your modem and router to clear up problems. You should also be aware that if you lose power or Internet connection, you’ll also lose your phone capability. I’ve addressed the power issue at my house by plugging my cable modem and router into a UPS. This gives me an hour before I lose telephone service and covers most short power interruptions.
Features provided by magicJack:
- Voicemail
- Caller ID
- Call waiting
- Call forwarding
- Your own phone number
- Unlimited free calling within the US and Canada
There’s really not much to the device. You may not even need the smaller of the two cables. It’s a USB extension cable and you may be able plug the magicJack into your computer without it.
I decided to see how idiot proof the installation was, so I plugged the device into my LAN, via a powerline Ethernet adapter, hooked up the phone and within 30 seconds had a dial-tone. There’s no computer involved in the configuration, but to keep the device active, you’ll have to register the magicJack online within 48 hours of installing it. To minimize the number of variables when testing this thing, I used a corded phone, so the sound quality wouldn’t be affected by cordless phone issues.
Here’s a closer look at the setup. The magicJack plugs into the AC adapter, which plugs into the AC outlet. On the left of the unit you have a socket for the phone cable and one for the LAN cable. You could of course run the LAN cable from your router or switch. I like using powerline Ethernet because I can locate the phone anywhere there’s an AC outlet.
Here’s the setup when using the magicJack with a computer. Because of the clearance to my USB ports, I needed the extension cable. If using a laptop, this probably wouldn’t be necessary. This setup is simpler, in that all you have to do is plug a phone into the phone port. Power is supplied by the USB port. However, to run in this configuration, the computer must be on and the softphone magicJack application has to be running.
The first time you plug the magicJack into a computer, it loads the softphone application and has to be registered. This process takes about 14 screens of selections. Here you will get an online account and select a phone number. Unfortunately there wasn’t a number available in my home state of New Hampshire, so I elected to get a California based number. There is the option later of changing the phone number, for a fee, if one you want becomes available.
Be very careful when navigating the registration screens. Most of them have an up-sell button and of course, it is the biggest. If you don’t pay attention you could be signing up for more than you expected. The above screen shot is one of the less egregious examples. At the end of the process you should have a phone number and online account. Also, be sure to use the address where you expect to use the magicJack, when you sign up. This address will be used for the E911 service.
Now that we’re all registered, we can either leave the device plugged into the computer or plug it directly into a LAN port. I’ve opted to use the LAN port option because it doesn’t require the magicJack application to be running. However, when traveling I can take the device with me and use it with my laptop and when configured this way, I can either use a telephone plugged into the device or I can select to use the laptop speakers and microphone to make calls. This is changed in the softphone application.
When plugged into the computer, the above screen will pop up for an incoming call. At this point if you are using a telephone you pick it up and answer as normal. If using the computers audio, you would click on accept and begin speaking. You can also use the pop up window to place calls and listen to voicemail.
click image to enlarge
Regardless of whether you connect via the LAN or PC, you can access your magicJack account via a web browser. Here you have some options that can be changed and you can access your call logs. You may notice the switch for stutter tone at the bottom. At first this didn’t work, but now it does and it triggers the voicemail indicator on my phone.
Now the question is “how’s the voice quality?” I must admit I am pleasantly surprised at the quality of the conversations I’ve had. With all the VoIP devices I’ve owned or reviewed, I’m used to echos and delays, but I’ve experienced none of that with the magicJack. This runs counter to what I’ve read about the device in online forums.
In short, this latest version of the magicJack could make them a serious player in the VoIP space. I now am considering dumping my current provider. If you’re thinking about jettisoning your POTS phone, the magicJack Plus may be the way to go. They do give you 30 days to try it out, so you don’t have much to lose. Now if they’d only do something about their annoying home page and stop the bush league up-selling on all their screens.
Note: The Gadgeteer is not affiliated with the Magic Jack company in any way. We don’t provide customer support for them. However, many of our readers seem to have chosen the comments section for this review as an informal peer support forum. There are hundreds of comments with this review, and it’s likely that your question has already been asked and answered. If not, and if none of the other readers can help you, you’ll need to contact Magic Jack directly.
Product Information
| Price: | $50 for the device and first year service; $19.95 per year thereafter |
| Manufacturer: | MagicJack |
| Requirements: |
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| Pros: |
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| Cons: |
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Giving a update on my mj+ experience.I bought my mj+ on April 10,2012. I cancelled my AT&T phone the same day. The only service I have with AT&T now is hi speed internet. My April 1,2012 bill with AT&T was 64 dollars. I was very surprised when I received my May 1,2012 bill from AT&T. I did not owe anything on the AT&T May statement, in fact I have a 5 dollar credit. My first month of using mj+ saved me 69 dollars. I have my mj+ hooked up to a Belkin n150 router not the computer.I was having problems with dropped calls sometimes ,when I was 2 or 3 rooms away talking away from the device. If I remain in the same room with mj+ no drop calls happen. Magic Jack Plus works great I am very satisfied. er.
I currently have 4 phones. 3 “hard wired” and one “wireless”. What do I need to support this configuration with MJ+? I have main router and a few switches to extend and reduce the number of long cable runs.
“Tom Beltz” – Re: Stutter Tone and phones’ voicemail indicators -
Most phones’ voicemail indicators are triggered by the PHONE detecting a “stuttering” dialtone emitted by one’s phone service provider. Such indicators usually must be manually turned on by the consumer – both from within the consumer’s account with their phone service provider AND within their phone’s/phones’ circuitry (each phone make/model has its own way of accomplishing this, although a few have it turned on by default). Although some phones will not detect the stutter dialtone until its “talk” button (or equivalent “off-hook” status is activated), most are designed to automatically check for such a stutter dialtone even when it’s in “on-hook” status, at a frequency interval pre-set (and usually unchangeable by the consumer) by the phone’s manufacturer. From my experience, it seems that it can take up to a couple of minutes from the time that a caller leaves a voicemail message on MagicJack’s servers (and hangs up) until the moment that the recipient’s MagicJack initiates its stutter tone; from that point on, how quickly the phone’s voicemail indicator turns on is dependent upon how frequently the phone is designed to check for it (some can take up to 5 mins.) – assuming of course that you’ve enabled the stutter dialtone feature within your MagicJack account online. Because this process is almost entirely dependent upon your phone being able to accurately detect MagicJack’s audible stutter tone, switching your phone’s “line mode” from mode “A” to mode “B” or vice versa (if your phone has this user-configurable feature) may help increase its reliability. If not, a work-around that is both more reliable and more timely – if you have a cellphone and do not have constant access to your email – is to simply have your MagicJack account set to send its email voicemail notification to your cellphone’s *text messaging email address*; if your cellphone only has the most “basic” of features the text message that you’ll receive will contain your MagicJack number, the caller’s phone number, and the length of the voicemail message that was left by the caller… but at least you’ll get the notification reliably and almost immediately.
Bye-bye Bing 411
Unfortunately, very shortly after I posted my praises of Microsoft’s telephone-accessible Bing 411 service, Microsoft announced that it’s decided to shut it down effective 6/1. I suspect that this means that on 6/1 MagicJack’s free 411 service will have to be switched back to what appears to be the only remaining viable alternative – the MUCH crappier, ad-driven 800-FREE411 service. If anyone out there knows of a better free, telephone-accessible telephone directory and info service please post it here. Thanks!
@ Gary M. C. & Bryan
Your answers can be found in previous posts here.
Gary, the supplied USB adapter tends to get hot and over heat MJ+ causing it to shut down. How some of us have overcome the issue are in previous posts.
Bryan, I have 2 landlines and a cordless on MJ+ backfed through the wall jack which has to be disconnected from the phone company. Also see previous postings.
I’m interested in getting rid of my monthly bill and moving on to MJ+. However, I have 3 cordless phones in my home and I’d like to know if I’ll be able to use all of my cordless phones with MJ+. If so, can someone explain how?
Thank you
Vicki: When you geet your MJ+ setup there will be a telephone cord which plugs into the MJ, simply plug that cord into your house wiring using a close by Existing Jack, or if a telephone is already pluged into the Jack get a spltter and use that for both the MJ and the Telephone. You then will need to disconnect the telephone line from your house wiring on the outside of your house. Normally this is rather simple if you have a Interface jack on the side of your house. If you live in a apartment type of complex then it can become more complicated but still doable depending upon the configuration of your complex.
Parents live in a trailer w/o computer or phone service (no phone jack). Can they use MJ+ and HOW? Thanks so much.
Kit: The service has to be used with either a computer or Internet access. They could subscribe to internet onloy with a router but will need a computer to do the set-up. You could do that on your PC and take it to them but they still will need Internet access.
I had a question about switching from AT&T. I currently have phone and DSL internet through AT&T. I want to try the MagicJack Plus. MJ+ says not to cancel your home phone, but tell them you want to port your number and they will do it for you. I saw one other comment from someone that this caused them to lose their DSL. Has anyone else experienced this problem or should I call AT&T first and let them know that I will changing my phone service, but do not want my DSL service interrupted? Any suggestions to make this switch as painless as possible would be great. (I understand that I am going to have to pay $20 to port my number and then another $30 to port it back if I am not happy).
“Austin4″ – In many (but not all) geographical locales, the local “landline” telephone company does NOT allow DSL service without *also* paying for its landline telephone service. So the thing to do is to call your AT&T customer service (or better yet their marketing number if you know it), simply *ask* them if AT&T offers “stand-alone” DSL Internet service (without having to subscribe to and pay for landline service as well) in your area and if so how much it would cost. You’ll then have to compare the total monthly cost of your current AT&T landline/DSL package (including taxes and fees) with what it would cost you to get the equivalent level of your current Internet service from your cable tv provider (they almost ALWAYS offer stand-alone Internet service without having to subscribe to their cable tv service as well; if you already receive cable tv service you will probably get a discount of some sort of you add on their Internet service) plus the monthly cost of MagicJack or MagicJack Plus. Remember – in most locales, cable tv company-provided INTERNET-ONLY service carries almost *no* taxes & fees (and those related to MagicJack service are negligible). In other words, YOU have to check this out with AT&T in your area yourself FIRST.
Austin: First off do not cancel or port anything untill you are sure you want to keep the MJ+. Get the MJ+ by taking one of their numbers and try it out for a while. Then if you like it you can go through the process of porting your number. Once you port the number you may have difficulty getting it back to AT&T. During the trial period you will have both working. If you decide to keep the MJ+ and do away with AT&T keep in mind with DSL that service is brought into your house using the house cableing so you will have to isolate the DSL onto it’s own cable or pair if you are going to use the house cabling for your other phones to work on the MJ+. There are many recommendations from other users on this site which you can review to get a better understanding, go back and read some of the other questions and answers.
Does anyone know if you can use MJ or MJ+ with a verizon air card or Hot Spot cord?
“Carol” – VOIP over cellular “Internet” service is often very crappy and unreliable, as the speed of such service – throughout most of the country – is often too slow and/or inconsistent for decent, reliable VOIP. So you’re usually better off with regular voice cellular to make and receive calls. Aside from that – with a Verizon card in your laptop (or computer that’s connected to a HotSpot), you’d at least theoretically be able to use either a) a regular phone plugged into a MagicJack (or MagicJack Plus) that’s plugged into your computer’s USB port, or b) the “softphone” that MagicJack will install on the computer (upon account/device activation) – in the MagicJack softphone there’s an option to switch to a connection via an aircard. If you already have a Verizon card or HotSpot you might want to consider a) buying a MagicJack device from a local retailer with a liberal return policy (like Radio Shack) if it doesn’t work well enough for you, or b) if you have a wi-fi capable Apple iOS device, downloading the MagicJack APP to it (which will effectively turn it into a MagicJack phone that will operate over the wi-fi connection).
I have internet with Clear which is a wireless modem. Will it work with MJ or will I have to have internet with the likes of ATT or Charter to have a another modem.
Good to hear Tom, and from what you said it seems you have taken care of the two major problem sources. You have plenty of Internet speed (the Fax works) and an excellent power supply. I am not too surprised that it is working because the MJ+ can handle backfeed to phones (as long as the power supply does not allow its already marginal loop current to drop the slightest bit further). The one thing you did not mention is if you are using the supplied USB power adapter or not. Several people, including myself have found that it overheats, and by conduction – overheats MJ+. I still think it best to junk that adapter, although separating it from MJ+ with the short USB extender, may help with the heat problem (other possibilities – fan or heat sink).
Tanstafl: I am using the Power adapter provided by the MJ+ and it is pluged directly into my UPS, and I have experienced no heating problems to my knowledge. In reality I have purchased nothing extra to supplement anything. I did go to a better network cable but one that I already had anyway. I still have my regular landline forwarding over and the calls are coming in ok including the call waiting feature is working as well. I guess I should consider myself lucky and certainly sympathize with those who appear to be having issues.
do not buy magic jack plus..you will have headache..lost connection too many times, no customer support…no live answer.. you will loose your money
@Kit May 8, 2012
MJ+ needs to be set up with a computer via USB port. Also the program updates have to be uploaded to the MJ+ via the USB port of a computer connected to the internet.
The computer does not have to be fancy, could even be a (more current) netbook, but must have an internet connection, such as ethernet card/jack, to set up MJ+ unit.
After you have set up the MJ+ unit with the computer, then you can hook it up to the internet without a computer.
With that said, if your modem does not have a built-in router, you will need to either upgrade the modem or add a router, unless you are dedicating the modem for MJ+. Which means you have to disconnect MJ+ from modem and plug in computer ethernet cable and MJ+ into computer when you want to use the internet and still make calls.
Depending on how much internet service costs per month, it may be less expensive to get an inexpensive land line. A friend told me about a landline service that charges by the quarter (every 3 months) and it worked out to be $10 per month or $30 per quarter, but that was 2 years ago.
At my home, between MJ+ annual fee + high speed internet works out to be just under $59 per month including taxes. But I use the internet when I am working from home and the children use it for homework research and submitting assignments. So, it is just the cost of $39.95 per year, but I did have to fork out some cash for a router $40, but that is a one time cost…so this year my averaged monthly cost is just over $60 per month.
I have MJ+ to be a “home phone” when we are home and I can ignore the cell phone (work) and say it was charging. Also, all the children do not have cell phones, so they use MJ. I still have my old MJ, but it will expire in a month. So, I have a MJ standard working through the computer, when its on, and more than one child wants to talk to their friends, and a MJ+ connected to the Modem via the router.
The advantage of MJ is that even when traveling, we can take MJ with us, along with our lap top, and if there is internet access you can “call from home” and recieve calls.
I need to use a fax machine from home but only have DSL — no landline. Too expensive to get a landline just for faxing. Can MJ+ be used for faxing?
Aside from the fact that it is a simple and economical way to make calls, the makers of MagicJack are insidious and notorious spammers. Their entire setup, from the time you log on to the moment when you remove the device from the PC is one continuous spam. Not only that, they have it so the MJ is permanently showing on your Desktop and in your Start up folder, so it is a omnipresence that is nauseating. Which begs the question: Why a company that is so successful and is selling these devices like hot cinnamon rolls, sees the need to aggravate its user base with asinine spamming. Frankly, I’ll keep using the device until I make some money, then – goodbye MJ.
Barbara, I have been using my MJ for faxing for several months. It works great. No problems at all.
Carol
“Peter Bond” – I’ve been a MagicJack user for a LONG time and have *bsolutely* NO idea what you’re talking about when you vaguely claim “Their entire setup, from the time you log on to the moment when you remove the device from the PC is one continuous spam.” Nor have I *ever* heard or read of anyone *else* making such a preposterous statement. I’ve NEVER received “spam” email, phone calls or snail mail from the company – not EVER – not even anything to “up-sell” me on anything. And as for their software’s softphone pop-up, if you take the time to look on the Internet you’ll EASILY find a free download that will stop the MagicJack softphone’s user interface from popping up automatically.
I’d love for you to share that download URL.
It’s a pain when I’m composing something and my wife picks up the phone.
Thanks from us all
I’ve had a MJ+ since October 2011. have it plugged into my router and has worked well, with an occasional dropped call or some interference. I’m about to make a trip to the West coast and was planning on using the MJ+ with a laptop on the way when I found WIFI available along the way. When checking it out this evening with the laptop I made a local call, no sweat. But I can’t call other area codes. I’ve tried calling using both the soft pad on the computer as the dial pad on the phone. G et a dial tone but it does not ring. Just the dial tone. Occasionally I would get the voice telling me to dial the area code first, which I had been doing. Now I’ve plugged it back into the router and I doesn’t work. Help—I’ve no phone service.
Ralph
@ Peter Bond & SteveHC
Peter Bond I agree with SteveHC. I am a long time MagicJack customer. I do get e-mail reminders that my annual fee is coming due and an ocassional “upgrade” for international calling which is 1 (one) “spam-ish” email a year.
When you set up your account, there are check boxes that ask if you want “special offers”, just uncheck that/those options.
When using your computer, the left window of the dial pad from time to time has a “static” ad. Get a vanity number or add international calling. That’s it.
@ All looking to upgrade to MJ+ FYI
Frys electronics (www.frys.com) has the MJ+ on sale for $54.99.
Frys # 6916537. So, if you are fortunate enough to have a fry’s electronics near you can purchase it ther…or you can order it on line.
Fry’s has a fairly good return policy also.
@Ralph Pittenger May 11, 2012
Ralph, the MJ+ unit needs “updates” from time to time or ocassionally the firmware “gets corrupted”.
Either of these can be corrected by downloading the latest update/upgrade from the Magicjack site. You can get to the site via your screen dial pad or directely magicjack.com/customercare.asp Click on “Get live help”.
In next window click “Reach a live person, 24 hours, 7 days a week…click here”.
It the linked window, there is a box “type your question below”. Enter issue and click search.
Now you can contact a live agent, by clicking “I’m on-line–start chat”.
Follow the prompts in the chat window. Phone number, name, etc. They will ask you to do a few things. Then ask for the update.
Customer service will provide you with a link. Make sure MJ or MH+ is plugged into USB port. Double click on link and MJ+ will be updated.
This should take care of your issue.
Hello, Does MJ+ work with 240v versus 110v?
This is just a warning to anybody considering an easy telephone provider change. Please do not be mislead, by MagicJack commercials, into believing that you can simply change your existing telephone number over to the MagicJack.
I fell for this weeks ago and paid to have highspeed internet installed, purchased a new telephone with 5 wireless handsets and a router; all to make the change to MagicJack easier. This was not an inexpensive investment for me either.
To this day; weeks later, I do have MagicJack working but “NOT” with my house number. The support team at MajicJack has been a really worthless and extremely rude service to me also. I was told that I had to use a telephone number supplied by MagicJack to register the device and then I could change it (PORT) to my home number for free. This did not work and I believe it might even be a way of charging me to change the number.
That was just one of the explanations that was given to me that didn’t get my phone number on my MagicJack. After being told that it can take up to 10 days to have my number “ported”; I am told that this is because MagicJack does not have a contract with my telephone provider. I gave them in excess of 10 days and I still do not have my number “ported”.
I finally filed a complaint with the BBB in Florida and I get their response to my complaint………………………
On May 10, 2012, the business provided the following information:
magicJack does not advertise that all telephone numbers will port. We explain that porting is now available and do an availability check during the port order process, notifying customers immediately if their number cannot be ported.
We have investigated Mr. ——’s complaint and found that, unfortunately, magicJack does not have an agreement with the service provider for his telephone number at this time, which is why he is unable to port.
Our records indicate that Mr. ——’s purchased his magicJack PLUS from a retail outlet. If he no longer wishes to use the magicJack PLUS with the free telephone number that he selected during registration then he should return the product to the retail outlet where he purchased it, in order to obtain a refund.
We offer customer service through our website at http://www.magicJack.com where our live agents are available 24 hours a day/7 days per week to assist our customers.
This is all fine and dandy but will they reimburse me for the other investment expenses? Now, I have to invest more money into changing out all my my letter heads, check books, buisness cards…..etc… and this does not include the time it will take to change this information on any and all accounts that I have open.
The notice i receive that my number will not port is……….
We’re sorry, your telephone number cannot be transferred at this time. Please check back in the future…………, and when I checked back; I was told it takes up to 10 days. How long in the future because when I called my telephone company, they said that there had been “NO” request to port my number.
Does anybody have an idea on what to do about all of the job applications and resumes that I have sent out?
I guess that I will have to continue to pay for my regular phone line also until I feel it is safe to disconnect that one and I everything and everyone now knows the number that MagicJack gave me because this is the only way I can “keep my old number” like the television commercial advertises.
Just a warning to everyone!!!!!!!!
Wannausemj: No.
To Erney: Thanks for the information. I followed your advice and was successful in having a live chat with a couple of people with MJ. After running some “tests” and making a couple of adjustments and a download it was determined nothing was wrong with the MJ+. It had to be somewhere else. We did manage to get things working as the chat was ending. I reflect back and there was one area code I was trying to call into and couldn’t get. It was a screwed up situation for me for a bit. I still am an advocate of MJ+.
Thanks again for the help.
Thanks, for your feedback, Tom. Cheers!
Unrealistic and ridiculously high expectations ! I have an MJ+ setup off the computer using a new MJ supplied number and a cheap DECT 6.0 cordless from Walmart. I call friends all over the country with high sound quality an minimal lapses in signal strength. I have the lowest level of Comcast DSL service. For 20.00 a year after the first year it’s an astounding deal. People who are expecting to be able to replace a families housefull of private and home business phones should do a reality check.
Joe: Next time you buy anything which you have never had or used before insteadof listening to and believing the commercials take a little time to investigate the service from thosewho are using it. This site would have allowed you to do that and could have saved you some grief. More that once users have warned against immediate porting of numbers, which is what you did or tried to do. MJ is by no means perfect but you are talking about a service which costs a yearly fee of about 20 bucks. You are going to spend more than that in kleenex drying your eyes out. I can’t believe anyone would order all that you say you have ordered and made such changes to checks, stationary and such on a service which they did not know if it was going to work?? That boggles my mind and defies logic of the simolest form. By the way, I have this bridge in Brooklyn which I can let you have for a really good price, just send me a signed check and I will fill in the blanks and you will not be disappointed. I personally guarantee your satisfaction.
Lorenzo and Tom,
I didn’t have such high expectations. I just need to keep my current number. I was just explaining how costly it “Can BE” for somebody to change their number.
The commercial that I see on the television specifically states that you can keep your number. When I have talked to MJ support; they also confirm this but say that because they do not have a contract with my provider, it can take up to 10 days. It still has not happened.
Yes Tom, I am a trusting person and believed the commercial. I did not realize that the FCC was now allowing companies to so blatantly lie to the American consumers. Yes it is my fault for not researching but I tend to forget just how dishonest the people of this generation and country have become and wanted to inform people of another deception.
I did finally give in and start using my MJ to make phone calls but I am also still paying my telephone company. I was able to cancel my longdistance service but now I have two numbers and this Lorenzo is why I am glad that I bought the new telephone system also. ………I will not go into the facts/reasons of how WALMART and it’s patrons are also one of the largest detriments to the USA.
Joe: If you still have your old number active , call forward it to your MJ # while you are waiting for the port. The call forwarding is established within the telephone network not the phone itself. Then you can go ahead and do the setup of the NJ the way you want it in your home. When calls come into the old # they will be forwarded to the MJ# when the old number gets ported over it will no longer be working anyway through the old company but should then be working exclusively throught MJ+. Good Luck.
Thanks for the idea Tom but CenturyLink wants to charge me and additional $5 a month for that service. I again checked with Century Link about the porting issue and was told that there is no reason or hold on porting my number and he checked again and found that there has still been NO request from MJ to port it.
@Joe…Did you try to port your phone # through your private MJ portal? You can check yourself to see if its able to ported, there is an option there to check. Here is the link:
https://web04.magicjack.com/my/login.html?setModeCSS=CSS1
You will first have to create your password, once you’ve done that click on the “phone numbers” tab and then the blue “transfer my number” button. I transfered my # several months ago and everything went smoothly, I was with Vonage.
Thanks for the info Billy Jack. I have been trying that option and that too does not work. I can not sign into the link you sent but I have been trying to port my number myself, through my account on MJ’s website. It also still does not work.
Joe: I guess I am at a loss as to your situation. You are upset over what you have already expended without full investigation. You are concerned that you are missing your calls due to the porting issue, but are not willing to spend $5.00 for call forwarding which would help you receive those calls during the transition period. If I am correct CenturyLink’s unlimited LD plan is in the $15.00 per month range…….do away with their LD and take 5 bucks of the savings and get call forwarding, still 10 bucks to the good even if you have to keep the old number working, assuming you had LH with Century before this all started. I really don’t know what you are willing to do but you seem to be expecting everyone else to do it for you. Good Luck !!
Actually, I can understand why many MagicJack consumers become very upset when MagicJack doesn’t work as well for them as they’d hoped. In this recession, a LOT of people have lost their income – often times ALL of their income – and most people who buy MagicJack do so in an effort to maintain at least some sort of affordable phone service in the face of their dwindling financial resources. In these circumstances, for a lot of people, spending even $5 or $10 on something that doesn’t perform as they’d hoped it would can be *very* upsetting. Of course, I have no explanation regarding people who seem to have absolutely no problem continuing to pay $100 per month – or even way more – for cable (or satellite tv) and Internet service, but who actually complain about the shortcomings of a $20 or $30 per YEAR voip phone service…
For Steve or Tom:
Have either of you heard of a MJ+ user not being able to call any specific area code within the US?
I am now really puzzled. I have called numbers several different area codes without a problem—EXCEPT area code 503 which is Portland, OR area. There is also a 541 Area Code in the Portland area. I have no trouble with the 541 code. When I call a number in the 503 area I get a hear the dialing, but instead of ringing the number I get 3 busy tones and it goes dead. I don’t know if it is the MJ+ or if there is something about 503 that is peculiar. I haven’t, up until a week ago. had any problems with the 503 code. I call and have long conversations with a couple of my daughters who live in the area.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE A HOME ALARM SYSTEM. CAN YOU HOOKUP TO AN ALARM SYSTEM TO BE MONITORED.
I will try to explain to each comment in order………….
Tom, I live in a small town that SPRINT/CENTURYLINK is the only local service provider and just about every telephone number that I dial is long-distance. I almost feel that a company has “monopolized” a utility.
Before somebody comments on this: Yes, I do see it in most utilities.
Because I am forced to use a company; I do not trust it…..Think of your Government…….. I do have a choice in long distance providers and I used MCI as my long-distance provider before I got the MJ+.
Now to try to explain simple arithmatic:
Local service=about $32.00 per month.
Long distance+= abut $42.00 per month….and it has to be unlimited because with out this plan……..my longdistance bill was $500.00+ per month.
Now, after an inital investment: If my MJ would work properly, I would have a cable internet bill of around $40.00 per month.
32+42-40 equals a savings of about $34.00 monthly……… If I am forced to keep paying for my local phone provider; to keep my number, I am now down to about $2.00 a month.
At $2.00 a month; I might not have decided to make the investment that I did.
I hope this makes my complaint a little clearer to people!!!!
Ralph Pittengerl,
I really can not help you out Ralph because I just started to use my MJ+ and I have not called those area codes.
I really have no complaints about the performance of my MJ+; my complaint is about the fact that I am still paying my telephone provider so that I retain my regular and known telephone number.
Don’t buy magic jack plus..from begining was having problems with dropped calls frequently…several time, contacted, but no help from them.
“Ralph Pittenger” – I tried calling a few businesses within area code 503 (just looked up “Restaurants” in Portland OR in Switchboard.com) from my MagicJack (Plus) and had no problem whatsoever. That leads me to believe that the problem you’re experiencing has to do with a problem unique to the way in which your MagicJack’s YMAX number gets switched and/or routed to one or more telecom companies that operate within the 503 area code. The resolution to such a problem is frequently NOT an easy one, and is often created when one or more relevant telecom companies (incl. YMAX – the telecom company that serves MagicJack customers) add or swap one or more local “exchanges” within a given area code (although other issues within one or more telecom companies can cause this problem too).
Because the problem and its resolution can be complicated, I suggest that you FIRST ask your daughters in Portland to call YOU at your MagicJack number and report the results here. If they tell you that when they try it they don’t succeed in connecting to your number, ask them to tell you EXACTLY what happened and what they heard on their phone(s) at the time (report that info here too).
Ralph – I forgot to tell you to be sure to tell your daughters to be sure that when they try calling you that they do so from the number(s) that *you* would normally be trying to call when you’ve tried (unsuccessfully) to call *them*.
@ Ralph Pittenger,
I suspect it was a system glitch over the weekend. I experienced the same busy tone calling some friends in Portland/Beaverton 503 area code this past weekend, but I didn’t think much of it being preoccupied. I verified getting the busy tone again late Tue 5/15 night when I saw your comment, but I was able to dial & hear the rings early Wed 5/16 AM. Verified again yesterday hearing the phone ringed but hung up cuz I didn’t have time to talk. Have you tried to call 503 area code since yesterday?
Just a quick update after 5+ months using MJ+ as my primary residential phone that it has been working fine without any issues. Got a couple of drop calls but inconclusive whether caused by iPhone or AT&T wireless or MJ+ or GLAN Netgear router or Comcast broadband. I used everything came in the box with MJ+, minus the network cable. MJ+ is back-fed to my house wiring, disconnected from AT&T box, feeding a total of 3 different DECT6 cordless systems with 7 handsets & one MFP machine. FAX has been working both ways thus far, although seldom used. MJ+ works fine connected to my old Dlink DIR-615 N router as well as the new Netgear WNDR3700 router. No overheat issue with the MJ provided USB AC adapter connected to a surge protector power strip sharing with 6 other devices. Overall happy with MJ+ working as expected, and, best of all, not seeing the $40 monthly bill from AT&T for a basic landline
It has been entertaining & helpful reading the comments on this forum.
Hey Jonathan – Isn’t it a trip trying to figure out what causes a “dropped” connection with so any different devices and companies involved?! For quite awhile I thought “MagicJack” was dropping calls, but I eventually figured out that it was in fact my Dect 6 cordless phone! It seems that at least on my Panasonic model, when the battery indicator on a handset goes down to one “bar” (out of a max of 3 bars) it isn’t able to reliably sustain two-way contact with its base unit even though the handset’s led screen hasn’t yet told me it needs to be recharged. Inexpensive digital tech is *definitely* a mixed blessing…
To all readers: If you currently use your MagicJack device via its USB-to-computer connection, or are willing to consider doing so, you will find the MagicJack softphone “pop-up blocker” – as well as a multitude of available MagicJack “add-on” features – at http://www.pcphonesoft.com
I still just don’t get it. Many of us have apparently, according to the comments, had great results and few or no problems with MJ+ but because Saj above says he had a problem(s), not detailed, and poor response he wants us all to “Don’t buy magic jack plus..”
SteveHC: Great site and some good features. Wish it were available throught the router use. Maybe that will be next??
Lorenzo – You seem to assume that ALL people posting vague “don’t buy MagicJack” “comments” have *American consumers’* best interests at heart. That would be a very false assumption for one to make, believe me. Some posters work for competing telecom companies, some don’t want to take the time to “tweak” their home or office “LAN” set-up to ensure compatibility, some just don’t like the fact that MagicJack is closely affiliated with an Israeli company… I’m sure you get the picture.
Joe: I don’t know where you have CenturyLink service at but I have 5 different accounts with them and am paying $15.00 per month for their Unlimited LD Service. It could be diffrerent in your area but I doubt that it is that much different?? I was assuming all along that you were already paying for Internet but apparently you were not as you added that cost onto the figures?? If you took MJ+ and had to take a monthly Internet Service in order to have MJ+ I doubt that you will ever see the savings you are looking for. If you have not had the MJ+ too long you may want to just send it back for a refund. Some people have had issues getting that as well although I had no problem the one time I had to send back a MJ due to my incorrect ordering. If it is too late to send it back advertise it here to see if someone might be interested in another unit. Never can tell you may be able to recoup some of your outlays.
Yeah Steve I was being somewhat less then serious in giving those kind of comments any validation. The posters (posers ?) are just showing their total lack of respect for the rest of us.
@ SteveHC,
Good insight… I didn’t bother to isolate the root cause of my dropped calls but just listed everything in the loop as possible suspect, minus the phones. I do have a Panasonic cordless system with 4 handsets connected to MJ+, and yes both dropped calls happened when I was using a P-handset.
I see a lot of posts on people having dropped calls and blaming MJ and they no doubt will have them periodically. I spent 40 years in the telecommunications business and if a person only knew what had to take place within nano seconds to send a call from one place to anothr it is a miracle any of them go through and the least little glich in any number of places can not only drop you, but thousands of calls at the same time. S–t happens!! Don’t ever expect someone to even look for that one or two times you got dropped. Then you throw into that equation the multitude of instrument types that are now on your end or on the end of the party you are talking to, cordless, cell, voip, as well as many others……..no one can say with any certainty why your call was dropped, could be MJ, could be your cordless or the instrument on the other end, could be telephone network could be your configuration or internet provider and coulld be we are just expecting perfection every time, it “ain’t” going to happen. Learn to live with it or change providers or come on here and ask for ideas, where there are users who are very familiar with some of the problems and can maybe send you in the right direction, and if none of that works, go back to landline. Really kind of basic. But please stop putting blame, when you really don’t know what or who is to blame. Cheers
Tom,
I do not know what CenturyLink would or does charge for long-distance. I personally just refuse to use a company that does everything it can to keep “fair marketing” competitors out of the area…..Sounds too Republican to me? I don’t know.
So, with that said……I did forget to include my prior internet cost….it was $12.95 a month dial-up through PeoplePC. That statement alone should tell you how tight I am with my money. Yes, 100Mbps IS defiantly faster than the 56 kbps dial-up connection, and more convenient, but my livelihood is not as dependant upon the internet as it is my telephone number.
Joe: You have CenturyLink local but chose another LD provider which I think is costing you more money???? You had previously said you live in a small community……that is why there are not more competitors, not because CentuyLink is keeping them out!! If another local carrier wants to come in they can…..Century is classified as the “carrier of last resort” which in essence means they also have to stay or sell to anothr provider if they can find a buyer. “Too Republican”, are you kidding me……do you understand deregulation or have you had your head in the sand for the past40 some years. Get Barney Frank or Chris Dodd explain the economy situation then vote for some more Democratic “Change”. This has turned into a flame and this is the wrong place for it so I apologize to the group, but Joe you really are beyond our help, go back to dial-up and landline service which you better understand and continue blaming the Republicans for all your woes and pull the hole in around you. There have been several offers for help but you ignore all of them and continue making excuses. Unbelievable??
Everybody,
I am sorry and I was not going to even reply to Tom’s comment but it is now obvious that he does not or can not read. I have responded that I have tried all of the suggestions, that might apply to my problem, but it is such a very simple complaint.
Nobody in here can change or remedy my problem………I am just making a statement that MAGICJACK’s commercial stating that you can KEEP YOUR OLD NUMBER is a misleading statement.
For me to keep my number; i have to continue paying for my current phone provider because MagicJack refuses to “port” my number; for what ever reason………..they say because they do not have a contract with CenturyLink!!!!!!! Sounds like somebody “MIGHT” be getting a kickback?
I am tierd of the childesh argument…………I would almost believe that Tom is a “PUBLIC RELATIONS” employee of MJ and trying to confuse everybody by turning the attention from the “SIMPLE BASIC STATEMENTS”!. Go figure….
Gees Tom, this guy is a piece of work. He’s not worth getting your blood pressure elevated over man.
Lorenzo: You are right…………….this whole issue is most likely a Right Wing, Conservative, George Bush plan to upend the entire VOIP services world wide. Why didn’t I realize that. I will quit my PR job with MJ just as soon as I get all my Kickbacks, but won’t need any of that if Bill Gates ever sends me all the money I have been promised from signing up for the internet freebes. Have you got your yet?
Hey! I got all my freebies from Bill Gates. Who didn’t? They came in the box with my “free warranty replacement” mJ that I was sent for only $20 and 14 hours on chat with some guy in India.
Tom, you should definitely keep your PR job with mJ. I got the cell number for the limy who runs their US operation off my caller ID. He called me after I left less than 100 messages on his office phone. He promised to look into the computer the dot heads ruined and get right back to me about a replacement. I talked to him just a couple of months ago. I am turning a little blue, but I’m sure it’s just because he can’t get through on my mJ.
For MagicJack subscribers who may not have noticed it: MagicJack now offers account holders the ability to choose and set the length of time their MagicJack number will ring before an incoming call will go to MagicJack Voicemail (the default is set to 25 seconds which equals about 4 rings but you can now adjust it substantially up or down, 30 seconds will about equal the more common 6 rings) and you can now even turn MagicJack Voicemail off entirely if you want to (useful for people who prefer to use their own answering machine). The setting is located online within the subscriber’s account under “Call Features.”
SteveHC: Thanks for the information and heads up on the change. Question? Have you had any experience with the DirecTV or Dish in relation to it being able to download through MJ+? I haven’t really heard anyone respond to this. I know some have difficulties faxing or receiving faxes but I have not experienced that problem. I don’t really see why it would not dial out on MJ but am wondering if you or others here may have DirecTV or Dish and if you have had issues??
Tom, I had the same concern but it turned out not to be a problem. I am on BEV but they use the same IRDs as Dish and do not “download” on the phone line. Firmware updates, Guide, and interactive features are downloaded much like a regular TV show. The phone line is used for ‘ET to call home’
In the middle of the night, the receiver periodically calls in so that the supplier knows it has not been moved. More importantly, it also reports any PPV movies you may have watched. It works because the charges later appear on my bill. The phone line is used as a dial-up data link. The speed of the internal modem is purposly slow so that the receiver can be used in rural areas with crappy land line loops and poses no technical problem for MJ at all. If you connect MJ instead of land line to your receiver, make sure that you tell the supplier if the number has changed or their automated systems will not recognize the call.
Tanstafl: Thanks for you reply. The uploading of the PPV data via the telephone link is what I was referring to. I had DTV several years ago and am thinking of going back to them but was concerned about the uploading the usage data. Realize it is also slow to acomodiate Dial-ups and could not see any reason why it should not work. Just looking for other users who have already been in that water. Thanks. Views still open for others who may have comments or experiences.
All @ SteveHC – about MJ settings
Steve, I have noticed the setting updates at the Acccount setting that is accessable through the dailpad on your computer screen. I check the settings just a couple of times a year for “updates”.
What I like about MJ voice mail, is that if I miss the call and out on an errand, it sends a audio file to my email inbox which I can listen to via laptop or smartphone. The email also gives you the call ID tag, so you know who was calling. The person on the other side just knows that their call was returned. (Great if you are using it for a business.)
If you don’t want to miss the call, you can forward the calls to your cell number or any other phone number. The call ID comes up as your MJ phone number when the call is forwarded.
You can also access your account settings via magicjack.com and look for the link.
Tom – A little-known “trick” re MJ voicemail notification for people who don’t want to go to the bother of going online to forward calls to their cell phone when they leave the house or office: Just set your MJ voicemail *email* notification to your cell phone number/carrier’s txt/SMS *email address* (rather than your usual email address, unless you have a full-featured “smartphone” that can receive and immediately notify you of regular incoming email, of course). If you do this, every time you receive a MJ voicemail message MJ will IMMEDIATELY send a message to your cell phone indicating that you just received a voicemail message, the MJ number that received it, the number of the person who left it, and the length of the message (whether or not the .wav file will be included as an attachment is dependent on how “smart” your phone and cellular service is). This is also useful for people (like me) who like to be notified IMMEDIATELY – even when at home – when a MJ VM message has been left rather than having to wait for MJ to start emitting its stutter tone and your telephone to then get around to actually *detecting* the stutter tone.
Have been reading this blog in the hopes of finding the answer to my mother’s MJ+ problem – but nothing so far. Can anyone help? Recently mom switched from cable internet to DSL internet (CenturyLink). Her MJ+ worked like a charm with the cable internet but not so with the DSL. She can place calls out, but no one can call her. Spent over an hr with MJ Customer Support yesterday which briefly helped but didn’t last. They had me unplug the MJ+ at the AC outlet and plug it into the USB port of her PC. The usual MJ screen came up showing that it recognized the phone no. with no problem. They then had me unplug from the PC and back to the AC outlet. I then placed a test call to my mom’s number — and it worked. I thought the problem was fixed and left my mom’s house feeling pretty good about it. However, when I tried calling her today (the next day), I got the same darn message we were getting before –”the MJ customer you are calling is not able to take your call at this time” or something like that. Anyone have a clue what the issue might be? We’re using our own router which is hooked to the DSL router.
PaulaL,
Good luck. I am having a different problem with my MJ+ and Centurylink. After many hours on the telephone and on-line support with magicjack and Centurylink; I have been told a few different times, from MJ, that it is because MJ “DOES NOT” have a contract with Centurylink and MJ’s engineers are working on it.
If you do manage to get anywhere, please post it and maybe I can get further.
“PaulaL” – The “no contract” rationale makes no sense, at least not in your mother’s particular situation – which company your mother gets her Internet service from is irrelevant, and particular assuming she’s able to call other CenturyLink telephone customers in her area.
Given what you said in your post, the problem *could* possibly be one of the following: a) the number that MagicJack issued to your mom’s device was just assigned to YMAX (MagicJack’s telephone company) VERY recently and other companies haven’t yet updated their call routing/interconnection databases, or b) your mom may be having difficulties if she’s using MagicJack via 2 routers. So the first thing you want to do is figure out EXCACTLY what kind of equipment is being used in her setup. IDEALLY she’d have just a DSL *modem* connected ONE *separate* router, but these days usually CenturyLink customers are using a CenturyLink-provided modem that has a router built into it. Regardless, the BEST way to test her MagicJack service is to DISCONNECT any and all *separate* ROUTERS, and plug (via a GOOD Ethernet cable, not the crappy one that came with her MagicJack Plus) the MagicJack Plus directly into the DSL modem (or combined DSL modem/router unit if that’s what it is).
If all then works well under those conditions, you know the problem was definitely with your own router. If you do this and it still doesn’t work properly there are two other possibilities (in addition to the potential routing database issue): 1) If the CenturyLink-provided DSL modem is in fact a COMBINED modem/router unit, the likelihood is *very* high that the installer gave you a unit whose router settings were set in a manner that makes it not fully compatible with MagicJack Plus; you can change the relevant settings via the combined modem/router’s web interface but you really need to know what you’re doing if you do that because you don’t want to inadvertently change settings that are necessary to maintain your mom’s Internet connection and the connection between her LAN and any other devices that she may have connected to it. OR 2) The MagicJack device has become defective; this is probably unlikely but certainly not impossible… if you live by your mom and have your own Internet service you might want to try connecting her MagicJack Plus with YOUR Internet LAN and see if it works properly.
Hope this helps.
“PaulaL” – I forgot to mention that the FIRST and easiest thing you should do is have someone try to call your mom’s MagicJack Plus from a NON-CenturyLink phone (like, say, a cellular phone that is operating on Verizon’s, AT&T’s or Sprint’s network). If they can’t get through, find out *exactly* what happens when they try. Normally, if a caller hears a message like “The MagicJack customer you are trying to reach is unavailable at this time” that means your mom’s MJ voicemail mailbox doesn’t have a recorded (by your mom) outgoing message, AND for some reason incoming calls are going directly to her MJ voicemail box so if that is the case you’ll also want to check (via both her MJ-connected phone AND her online MJ account) that her MJ voicemail setup has been completed thoroughly and properly – and when you do that, be sure to check that the new ringer length setting (which is set via her MJ online account) etc. is set properly.
SteveHC,
I agree with the “NO CONTRACT” idea not making sense….But than again……..it makes no sense to me why the need a contract to port my number either.
Does anyone else have this problem with MJ+: when my PC is steaming/downloading something, and I am trying to talk on the MJ+ line, the voice quality on BOTH ends STUTTER??? What can I do to eliminate this problem? (My MJ+ is connected to router directly)
“racerxtoo” = What you describe is not only common but also an unfortunate fact of current voip life for most people. Some will say that you should go into your router’s settings (via its web interface) and set its “QoS” (Quality of Service”) settings such that your MagicJack device receives highest priority from your router – and you SHOULD do this (IF your router has such a setting) – BUT this will in most instances do very little if anything at all to “fix” the problem; that is because QoS only controls the flow of data going FROM your LAN-connected devices TO the Internet and exerts NO control over data flowing FROM the Internet TO your various devices (to put it simply).
You will probably find that certain types of downloading have little effect on your MagicJack, while most other types of downloading (and especially streaming) DO. Most of the time the only real solution is to simply halt or pause streaming or downloading while your on a call, then resume it when you’re done with the call. Often, even simply paying for a higher “speed” of Internet service from your current provider will not help much, because simply obtaining a higher speed does not in and of itself mean that you will automatically ALSO be getting significantly increased ability to support multiple, simultaneous data streams going to and from multiple devices all at the same time.
A hint: if you are using bittorrent (or some other type of downloading mechanism that pretty much literally grabs ahold of your entire Internet service to increase its download speed) you might want to seriously reconsider your use of it if you also want to use MagicJack or most any other voip service, with the one possible exception being OOMA’s voip device/service. With OOMA, your voip needs will almost always take precedence over all of your other LAN activity – PROVIDED you do NOT have a *combined* modem/router unit – because the OOMA device essentially gets connected BETWEEN your modem and your router… but it will cost you more than MagicJack does.
I want to get MJ+ for my 89 year old grandmother. She doesn’t have a internet or a home phone. Is MJ+ a good investment? What are the fees?
This has to be some sort of joke, and stupid me I am replying? It is not a good investment without high speed internet. Just put her in a landline. VOIP is not for everyone.
Hey folks, I just completed a little experiment that confirmed my suspicions: REGARDLESS of whether or not you have Gigabit Ethernet equipment, using high-quality Cat 6 Ethernet cables throughout a LAN instead of Cat 5e cables seems to result in somewhat faster and much more consistent connections – including those related to MagicJack Plus – and the flimsy one that comes with the MagicJack Plus is so bad you should just throw it out. I have NO Gigabit Ethernet equipment on my LAN, yet the positive difference between my using good Cat 6 vs good Cat 5e cables is unmistakable and undeniable. On the downside, of course, is the fact that Cat 6 cables are significantly more expensive than Cat 5e cables. But I’m glad I shelled out the extra bucks to replace my Cat 5e’s with new Cat 6-ers in exchange for faster and more reliable connections. The difference is SO great that I can now even consistently stream VuDu HD videos to my tv (via my blu-ray player) without any problems at all (which I was NOT able to do with Cat 5e’s) even though my actual, measured Internet “speed” (about 1.7 mbps) DEFINITELY should not be allowing me to do this.
Just thought that some of you might find this at least interesting if not helpful.
MJ Plus doesn’t deliver what they advertize! Fraud Plus should be an updated “name!” It’s been over 50 work days plus weekends where I have tried to have my current phone number “ported” over to MJ Plus! The ONLY way you can communicate with their customer service depart (which is for the most part somewhere in China or the Philippines) is via a “chat.” Beware when you get to communicate with Lemon or Moon. They tell me they have NO phones to access which must be a curse when someone has a heart attack or need for an ambulance. Then comes the part where their totally unfriendly customer service break off the “chat” when you are typing a response; not one time but rather eight or nine times. I have had probably 30+ “chats” with NO help other than lies that; “Our engineering department is working on it and you’ll be able to port your number over tomorrow.” RIGHT . . . they only want to get you off the “chat.” The first two times I believed them . . . Shame on me! They all must lie to you because none have the same explanation or reason! Right on the package states: “You can transfer your current phone number over to MJ Plus.” I asked before I bought it and I was told; “Yes you can keep your current number and it’s very easy to do.” I have communicated with my present carrier and the number I want to “port” is active with NO holds or freezes. You must keep your line active to make a port and I am following all their guidelines. Beware . . . TOTAL FRAUD!
Wow ! I must be a total idiot. I had no problem whatsoever setting up and using my MJ+. Weeks later I keep waiting for problems to occur but I must just be to stupid to see them. I’m even planning on doing something really dumb and signing up for an extended 5 year term. Maybe then I’ll start seeing some of this awful fraudulent behavior.
Lorenzo, I must be as dumb as you, I have now issues either. I think sometimes these people extpect to much. All I do is call and receive calls. But that is all i wanted. Keep it simple.
It does work great. No complaints.
Lorenzo and Carol – There are actually a LOT of people out there who don’t know that there are limitations to telephone number porting – regardless of the phone companies involved – and who are of extremely limited financial resources who are not very likely to know the very real intricacies of home networking, voip, etc. Add to that the very REAL facts of a) a certain number of MagicJacks – like all inexpensive consumer electronics – that come off of production lines ARE defective and not detected as being defective prior to being placed in consumers’ hands, b) MagicJack’s extremely limited “live” customer and technical support, c) the unbelievable variety of home telephone and LAN equipment manufacturers, models, levels of quality (usually undocumented by the manufacturers), and “inter-operability standards” that are often applied so loosely that it’s almost pointless to call them “standards,” and d) the complexities inherent in a “system” that tries to connect literally THOUSANDS of independent telephone companies whose inter-connection issues change almost daily. So I’m not surprised at all to see people having problems getting their MagicJack telephone service to work as well as they’d hoped it would. The chances of any given MagicJack device working as well as its purchaser hopes it will for them is no better or worse than any OTHER cheap (meaning under $200 or so) consumer electronic device. This is why I ALWAYS recommend that when people purchase consumer electronics – especially relatively inexpensive ones, including a MagicJack – that they do so from a retailer that has relatively liberal return policies.
Yeah I no I was being a bit harsh Steve and some people do have very real and I’m sure frustrating issues. On the other hand, Magic Jack is no worse that I can see at hyping the best case scenarios that a fair percentage of the users experience. I think they are trying to improve the technology and service as time goes on also. But I looked at all this before buying and the bottom line in my mind was “20.00 A YEAR for local and long distance”. Hey if it worked well part of the time it would be a bargain. And for me so far it works well all the time. Espeacially following the simple tips you guys have listed for improved quality etc. 20.00 a year for this is Fabulous and certainly not a “Total Fraud”.
I also KNOW I should have proofread a bit before submitting
D Hall,
I am going through the same thing as you. I guess that MJ’s customer service is the same as most are in this digital and electronic dependant age: they are just copying and pasting whatever an electronic device tells them.
This blog has not been much help, other than Public Relation excuses for or from MagicJack.
Don’t get discouraged by the responses that will start using really technical terms to try and defend the MJ. If you pay attention to the grammer, you will discover that they are no wiser than you or me and they always change the topic to something other than your complaint.
Performance of my MJ+ has not been pretty good but like you, I also read that I can keep my number, but to do this, I have to continue to pay for my service with CenturyLink. I have filed a complaint with the BBB in West Palm Beach, Florida. I recommend you do the same.
Because of the unprofessional and rudeness from the customer service, I am also exploring leagal options and FCC options. Keep copies and records and I will keep you informed through this blog.
Yo Joe – I don’t see anyone here (myself included) trying to use “technical jargon” to “defend” MJ in any way at all! And ALL of us readily state that MJ’s “customer service” and “technical support” is almost useless – as is NetTalk’s, Toshiba’s, Panasonic’s… get the idea? If you go online and really check out the consumer reviews of most *all* cheap consumer electronics (phones, dvd players, tv’s, you name it) you’ll usually find that about half of a given item’s purchasers are happy with their purchase and the other half aren’t and are convinced they were ripped off. That’s what happens when everything (including manufacturing and “customer service”) is outsourced to overseas companies.
But as far as the number porting issue goes, yes it’s true that MagicJack should not be implying in their advertising that everyone’s current telephone number with other telecoms can be ported over. Neither should any OTHER telecom try to imply this in their advertising. But nearly all DO, and all of them refer to the limitations of number portability only in “the fine print.” That’s because that’s all the feds require, and the limitations of number portability are stated in the FCC regs themselves. Consequently, if you read the FCC regs in their entirety – and all telecom companies’ relevent “fine print,” you’ll find that NOBODY – not the feds nor any telecom company at ALL, not even CenturyLink – guarantees number portability for all people in all situations. To put it simply, number portability is most likely to be “guaranteed’ possible ONLY if you are actually (still) living in the precise geographical area that your *original* telephone number’s LOCAL EXCHANGE (meaning area code plus 3-digit “prefix”) was *originally* assigned to. Beyond that, number portability is basically on an non-guaranteed “as possible” basis and is subject to a million different variables. (AND, by the way, all telco’s are free to charge whatever fees they want to for transferring numbers.)
Like it or not, this is the way it is. Good luck with the filing of your complaints, though. Maybe it will at least push MajicJack and other telcos to be more “up-front” in their advertising regarding the limits of number portability.
Steve: Are you saying that there are companies out there who use questionable advertising tactics? I have never, ever, never ran into anything like that in all my years. Have mercy on them!!!! Could you provide us a list of those companies so we can all be on-guard?
Good response Steve. All I was going to do is offer to testify about my very positive experience with the MJ device and the fact that I have had little need of any support other then the good tips picked up here. Be a great excuse to visit old friends and relations in FL
Hyperbole is a fact of life in marketing and most people remember the old “grain of salt” adage. But MJ should probably ease up on the porting issue even though most of us didn’t have overly optimistic expectations in that regard.
I have to admit that in spite of my occasional griping about MagicJack and its lousy customer service and technical support, the FACT of the matter is that my MagicJack service (on my kid’s original MagicJack, his MagicJack iOS app on his iPod, and *my* MagicJack Plus) are the *ONLY* electronic (ESPECIALLY telecom) devices/service whose functionality have actually gotten BETTER since the day I first got them.
In fact, that’s why, after I saw how my kid’s MJ service was getting better over time, that I decided to DROP my Verizon Wireless (and later AT&T Mobility) 1,000+ minutes/month cellular service and *instead* got my own MagicJack Plus and use Consumer Cellular’s $20/month plan (which operates on AT&T’s crappy network) for use only when I’m out of the house! When I first went with all-cellular service years ago (I was an “early adopter” of cellular service with a Motorola “bag phone” on the old Metro Mobile analog network in the northeast!), the quality of it was quite good and I seldom experienced dropped calls. But the quality of both Verizon’s and AT&T’s cellular service has since steadily deteriorated to the point that both have become SO unreliable for me that it was no longer worth the aggravation – even though I live and travel in areas that have “solid” coverage (yeah, RIGHT LOL) on both networks. So now I have dirt-cheap phone service on MagicJack that is FAR more reliable at home – on a 3-handset cordless Dect 6 phone system that can store 3,000 names and numbers in it (“syncable” to & from my cheapo cell phone as desired via bluetooth) – than my cellular service EVER was, and only pay $20/month (plus $5 for 500 text messages/month) for cellular service when I’m out of the house (and I may yet eventually switch from Consumer Cellular to Virgin Mobile’s $90/year plan which operates on the Sprint network). And since I shelled out the bucks for all-new Cat 6 cables the other day, my MagicJack Plus (and other LAN-connected Ethernet devices) seem to be working even BETTER. The only time I ever have a problem now is when my kid’s using his ROKU to stream video (his PS 3 online gaming doesn’t appear to affect MagicJack service) so I keep his Roku connectivity as wireless-only and simply turn off my router’s wireless transmitter when he’s using his Roku and I’m on a call – problem solved LOL
So I guess I can’t really complain; in a year and a half MJ has saved me WELL over $1,000. My kid’s MJ number works SO well on his iPod Touch (it’s nothing short of INCREDIBLE) that I shelled out $100 for a 5-year subscription when his renewal came due, and if my MagicJack Plus continues to work at least as well as it currently does I’ll *definitely* get a 5-year subscription when *its* renewal date approaches, no question about it.
BTW – If I “knew then what I know now” I probably wouldn’t have even bothered to get myself a MagicJack Plus and new Dect 6 phone system, instead I would’ve bought MYSELF a used/factory refurbished iPod Touch (3rd Generation) and a MagicJack iOS App subscription instead – it works *THAT* perfectly, ANYWHERE you can connect to Wi-Fi (I don’t *think* a MJ iOS APP-only number subscription offers e911 service – I might be wrong about that – but who cares, if you have a cell phone for emergency back-up anyway). The MagicJack App on iPod Touch is nothing short of MIRACULOUS!
To Steve H
Excellent words of wisdom, MJ+ user since 6Nov11, it has been up and down, last 30 days up buypassing router and using just Laptop
John III – Assuming your (presumably wireless) router works as it should, if I were you I’d *seriously* consider picking up a factory-refurbished 3rd gen. iPod Touch (if you don’t already have one, or if you don’t already have an Apple iPhone), downloading the MJ App to it from the App Store, and when you run the app and it asks you to register it simply follow the prompts to instruct it to “link” itself to your *pre-existing* MagicJack Plus number (this is still available at no additional charge, at least as far as I know – that is EXACTLY how I did it for my kid). At that point you can make and receive calls from BOTH your MJ+ AND the iPod (the latter will now essentially function as if it were an iPhone – only BETTER, and even better than your MJ+ does via your laptop – but only via Wi-Fi)… and you can disconnect your MJ+ from the laptop and put it away somewhere if you want to (just be sure to keep “notifications” on the iPod turned ON, so it’ll ring when you receive a call). You will then have a virtually unlimited name/number phone directory on the iPod via the MJ App, perfectly useable no matter WHERE you are as long as you have Wi-Fi connectivity for the iPod (and a Roku or whatever isn’t hogging all available bandwidth LOL). The MJ App will even notify you on the iPod when you have MJ voicemail (provided you connect via Wi-Fi), and you could *still* set your MJ account to *also* notify you of VM via email (or your cell’s text messaging email address). You’ll just probably have to turn down the volume on the iPod a bit, because the MJ App/iPod comb. works SO well that if you *don’t* turn the volume down you’ll probably get feedback between the iPod’s mic and its speaker. I believe you can even record MJ calls on the iPod if you wanted to. Regardless, you’ll be free of the laptop necessity while at the same time experiencing the very best implementation of voip technology that *I’ve* ever seen anywhere by ANYONE (and which just “happens” to be wireless).
WARNING! CROOKS HAVE NEW SCAM!
I have been a mJ user (looser?) since 2009. I activated my mJ at 6:22PM EST on 5/29/09. Besides being on my 3rd pair of mJs (I need two to be sure one will work), I got hit with a new low yesterday.
At 2:52AM, mJ sent me an email that my service on one of the numbers would auto-renew and charge my credit card on 5/29/12. It went on to say I had to reply “Within one hour” if I wanted to make any changes (i.e. cancel service). Well, I’m not normally reading email at 2:52AM, so I didn’t get a chance to reply, not that I needed to. The notice clearly said if I didn’t reply, my credit card would be charged on 5/29/12, or 3 days after the notice.
After making and receiving several calls yesterday morning, my phone suddenly went dead. No dial tone, no nothing!
A check of my computer screen revealed a notice on the mJ softpad that my service had been suspended and I had to “click here” to renew my service. Wait a minute! The email said 3 days from now it would auto-renew. There is no problem with the credit card they have on file, so what’s up, I wondered.
On my on-line credit card statement, there it was, $40 to mJ had been paid. There was also a phone number, as required by federal law. So, I called the number.
As you would expect, I got a recording. It was so low in volume, I had to connect an amplifier to my telephone just to hear it. The recording said to call another number!
So, I called number two. The first time, there was no answer. The second time, the operator promptly hung up on me. The third time, I sat on hold for 48 minutes, only to be told I had to use the dreaded chat!
So, I chatted. Having had nothing but problems for 3 years, I knew what to expect. I didn’t have too much to do, so I decided to just see how long these people in India would run me in circles.
So much for the mJ CEO’s promise their customer service would go from “worst to first” by the end of March. Absolutely nothing has changed.
Seven hours and forty-five minutes later, I had gone through every “technician” at mJ. I kept asking one simple question: Why was my service interrupted?”
I got “pay your bill”, asked a hundred unrelated questions, dropped no less than 6 times, transferred 16 times (really) and, finally told my service was working perfectly. Indeed, they had turned the service back on. Then I was told the service had never been interrupted in the first place, so why was I contacting them?
Some or all of this may be old news to regular readers of this forum, but HERE’S WHAT THEY DON’T TELL YOU:
mJ renewed my service and charged me for a full year on 5/25, the day before they turned off my phone. And that isn’t the bad part. I only have service until 5/25/13, 4 full days less than the proper anniversary date of my service.
Why is this important? Run the numbers. At $40/year, that is $0.109589 per day. Four days is $0.438356. mJ states they have “Over 8 million customers” on their home page. Well, that comes to a staggering $3,506,848.00 per year they are overcharging you and me.
There is no question their advertising is full of lies and misleading promises. Many of the glowing endorsements they keep publishing have since been modified or withdrawn by the various newspapers and magazines. Porting not only costs money, but often isn’t possible. And, heaven forbid if you want to port your mJ number to another carrier. Forget returning your device for credit. It gets “lost”, you get no credit, then “given” to another customer who has made a warranty claim only to learn he must pay for the “free” replacement! I once got hit 6 times, SIX, for one “free” replacement. I had to actually cancel one credit card and change bank accounts to stop the charges!
And now, this. Over 3.5 million dollars being stolen from their “valued customers”.
I thought I had seen “strange” submissions on this forum but the above from “Jim” adds a whole new level to strange stories….. or maybe just good creative fiction writing.
Dear Lorenzo,
I wish none of my post were true, and it was, as you suggested, “just good creative fiction writing”.
Shall I post the 7.5 hours of chats, the credit card charge or a screen shot of the renewal notice?
Be careful who you challenge. You might just wind up with egg on your face. Just like the CEO of magicJoke.
Lorenzo,
Just what part of “By March we will release this to everybody.I think we will go from worst to first almost overnight.This has been in the works for about 9 months and I am very proud of the massive upgrade” do you believe?
Here’s what mJ’s CEO posted way back in February:
By dborislow
Thu Feb 09 21:48:53 PST 2012
I agree the customer support area for magicJack is not on par with our excellent product and service.Our customers will be happy to know,this is changing as I am writing this Comment.We are in Beta of a long overdue customer facing systems.If you go on tonight,you will see an option to be a Beta Tester for the next few weeks.By March we will release this to everybody.I think we will go from worst to first almost overnight.This has been in the works for about 9 months and I am very proud of the massive upgrade.Next we will put out a video for install purposes and after reading this review,we will tighten up the collateral material in the package.Over the next 60 days,registration process will be even easier than what is probably the easiest already.The number porting in the new customer facing system is many times easier too.We welcome your feedback as we add hundreds of thousands of new customers a month.Rick,you speak and we listen.
Dan Borislow CEO of magicJack email me at Dan@magicJack.com
(Don’t bother emailing him, folks. He never answers. He is hiding under a rock in Israel.)
Jim
It is odd that my renewal day ( I just looked it up) is the same date as my activation date but one year later giving me actually 1 extra day. And “3 pairs of MJ’s” in 3 years. You have to be kidding or have the patience of a saint. I would have drop kicked the service well before now. There are alternatives. Granted I have had zero issues with my one and service reliability and sound quality are excellent.
Guess I should be thanking my apparently rare good fortune.
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