Help with Ooma

I have purchased Ooma and was going to transfer the number when read the warning message. Basically, it advised that if I don't have stand alone internet (which I don't - I have phone with DSL) - I will loose internet connection since number would be transferred to Ooma.
I called ATT and they don't offer dry DSL in my area, they offer FIOS.

Can someone please explain what exactly I need to do to have Ooma and to keep my number.

Is it: 1. order FIOS 2. once FIOS is running, place number transfer to Ooma 3. cancel phone and DSL?

Thanks

you dont want to cancel POTS/DSL (or update to FIOS) until after you transfer the POTS number, else you will lose it.

it sounds like in your case since they dont have dry loop internet in your area (this is to force people to upgrade), once you transfer the number, both the POTS and DSL account will be terminated.

also, if you order FIOS first it might cancel your POTS/DSL line (you lose number) as it uses the same copper line from the neighborhood cabinet to the house.

so, what you might have to do to ensure that you keep your POTS number is add a secondary number to your POTS line. then once that is running, have them flipped where the new added number is your main account number and your old number is your secondary number. then you can easily transfer the secondary number, which was your main POTS number, to ooma and make the change over to FIOS.

Quote from ReverseHandedJO : ... so, what you might have to do to ensure that you keep your POTS number is add a secondary number to your POTS line. then once that is running, have them flipped where the new added number is your main account number and your old number is your secondary number. then you can easily transfer the secondary number, which was your main POTS number, to ooma and make the change over to FIOS.

Thank you for detailed response.
May I ask for clarification?
1. adding secondary number is the same as adding another line? (we used to have 2 numbers)
2. Why would I transfer to FIOS if as you suggest I would already have DSL on secondary line?
3. What if I transfer number to Ooma first - loose DSL and phone account with ATT, and then sign up for FIOS? I do understand that for a week or so I wouldn't have internet but it is fine.

Quote from ellylex : Thank you for detailed response. May I ask for clarification? 1. adding secondary number is the same as adding another line? (we used to have 2 numbers) 2. Why would I transfer to FIOS if as you suggest I would already have DSL on secondary line? 3. What if I transfer number to Ooma first - loose DSL and phone account with ATT, and then sign up for FIOS? I do understand that for a week or so I wouldn't have internet but it is fine.

yes, it would be MUCH easier (and save about $20-30) if you directly transferred your number to ooma first.

yes, you would be without internet for however long it took them to change your line from POTS/DSL to FIOS, maybe a week or 2.

do you not have a cable provider in your area like twc or cox or comcast or dont want cable internet?

(when i said add another number i mean to the existing line/number - 2 numbers on 1 line - the 2nd line rings different).

Quote from ReverseHandedJO : ... (when i said add another number i mean to the existing line/number - 2 numbers on 1 line - the 2nd line rings different).

it is good that I asked...
about cable internet... I never had it before.
1.What is the advantage of cable internet?
2.Which site can I check to see which companies offer internet in my area?
3. If current alarm system is set up via phone line - will it work thru Ooma as well?

Thank You

Quote from ellylex : it is good that I asked... about cable internet... I never had it before. 1.What is the advantage of cable internet? 2.Which site can I check to see which companies offer internet in my area? 3. If current alarm system is set up via phone line - will it work thru Ooma as well? Thank You

1. generally cheaper than fios. might get installed faster
2. google could probably answer that for you. there's always: http://www.dslreports.com/search
3. probably as long as it ins't Brinks/Broadview. special considerations are required to ensure it can still seize the line and communicate effectively (which comm protocol is used and things like *99 added to dialing sequence).

Quote from ellylex : it is good that I asked... about cable internet... I never had it before. 1.What is the advantage of cable internet? 2.Which site can I check to see which companies offer internet in my area? 3. If current alarm system is set up via phone line - will it work thru Ooma as well? Thank You

the easiest way would be to check with your neighbors.

once you get cable internet you wont ever want to go back to DSL/U-verse.

our alarm calls out just find thru obi/GV and ooma, but like jkee said some may require special protocols to call out.

most likely you already have a cell phone, but once you turn off the landline and use VOIP for the house phone, you should have at least 1 cell phone for emergency purposes. (personally i would call 911 on the cell phone and not a VOIP.)

if you ever have to call 911 from a VOIP make damn sure they know who you are and your exact location as the location might not be registered (correctly) with the VOIP (e911).

while they can triangulate in on a cell phone within about a meter of its location, that does take valuable time.

with a landline phone when you call 911, even if you drop the phone, they immediately know your location.

I ported the number - so my phone and DSL will shut down.
Now I am deciding whether to go with Uverse 3mbs or Time Warner 3 mbs for 19.95$.

I take that ReverseHandedJO suggests cable with Time Warner if I understood correctly.
Which modem do you suggest to get?
I do have an old version (brand new) Linksys Router BEFW11S4.
So,
1. get modem (which one) and use my router?
2. get wireless router (which one)?

Thank You

I would use a router that you can install tomato or ddwrt on... it will make things easier if you ever have to set up QoS (and you probably won't unless you expect to stream video)

Quote from ellylex : I ported the number - so my phone and DSL will shut down. Now I am deciding whether to go with Uverse 3mbs or Time Warner 3 mbs for 19.95$. I take that ReverseHandedJO suggests cable with Time Warner if I understood correctly. Which modem do you suggest to get? I do have an old version (brand new) Linksys Router BEFW11S4. So, 1. get modem (which one) and use my router? 2. get wireless router (which one)? Thank You

yes, i would go with TWC as VOIP works better and there are no data limits like with DSL/U-verse.

check to see if your area has any promo specials. for new customers they had a 10mbps for $29 for a year.

if you are only going to get 3mbps keep in mind that if you want to use the VOIP then you cannot be downloading anything as it will limit the bandwidth that the VOIP needs and cause it to echo and cut in and out. this is where a router with QoS comes into play so that you can allow the VOIP priority to all of the 3mbps that it needs.

as for cable modems i went with the SB6141 for around $75 new on ebay, but most people seem to be going with the SB5101 which can be had for around $50 or so. the difference is the SB6141 allows for more channel bonding for faster speeds.

if you dont need wireless your current router will work. im not sure if it has QoS and i dont think it can be flashed with dd-wrt. if it doesnt have QoS just dont download when you use the VOIP.

At lower speed tiers, any DOCSIS 2.0 modem will be fine, DOCSIS 3 support may or may not be worth it for you. I'd recommend a motorola.

VOIP really doesn't need that much bandwidth, most protocols require less than 100kbps. You run into problems if something else crowds that space. Most ATA's including Ooma, actually have a two port router built in as an easy way of allocating bandwidth for voip if you connect it directly to your modem.

Quote from jkee : At lower speed tiers, any DOCSIS 2.0 modem will be fine, DOCSIS 3 support may or may not be worth it for you. I'd recommend a motorola. VOIP really doesn't need that much bandwidth, most protocols require less than 100kbps. You run into problems if something else crowds that space. Most ATA's including Ooma, actually have a two port router built in as an easy way of allocating bandwidth for voip if you connect it directly to your modem.

i completely forgot about that! i ued to use oomas built in 2-port router at the entertainment center before i had to get a router for everything.

Quote from ReverseHandedJO : i completely forgot about that! i ued to use oomas built in 2-port router at the entertainment center before i had to get a router for everything.

Thank You, guys. The main problem is that you started to use language I am not familiar with like QoS ))). I have ooma and I need wireless connection. There is an offer till Jan 5 for 15 mbs for $29.99 with Time Warner.

Did I understand correctly that since ooma has built in router - my lynksis router (wireless) one is unnecessary?

The internet is necessary only for minor things - browse, check emails and watch movies occasionally ( I think it is called streaming, not sure. But I am not buying them through netflix for example - these programs or movies are available to anyone for free).

Quote from vivahate : I would use a router that you can install tomato or ddwrt on... it will make things easier if you ever have to set up QoS (and you probably won't unless you expect to stream video)

Thank You for suggestion, but I am not familiar with those terms yet. I need "translation" ))

Edit: looked online what ddwrt is. Maybe I am not understanding fully, but I don't think it would be beneficial for the basic needs of browing the internet.