Ooma Hub, ooma scoot

Ooma is the VOIP system for people who think long-term and hate bills. $250 up-front gets a lifetime subscription, an attractive space-age unit with integrated answering machine, and an additional “scout” extension unit. Plug the base station in to your router, plug in your old phone, choose a new phone number, and you’re ready.

The Ooma hub provides voice over IP telephone service, including unlimited long distance within the US, caller ID, and other popular features with no monthly fee. You will pay roughly $240 for the hardware, and there is an optional package of features (including a second phone number, the ability to have your calls ring a seconday phone number such as your cell phone or office phone, and porting of your existing phone number) that is available for $120 per year. (You will also have to pay about $12 per year for the second and later years to cover taxes and regulary fees related to their provisioning of your line - early Ooma core users are exempted from this fee.)