Monday, April 7, 2008

MagicJack in the Military?


Have you heard of the MagicJack? Supposedly, you plug this into your computer that is hooked up to high speed internet and attach a phone line to the plug and you can make unlimited phone calls to the US and Canada. The website even claims that you can use this while traveling or in our case deployments as long as internet is available. The device costs $39 from the website and that include one full year of unlimited service. If you'd like to continue service after the first year it is only $20 per YEAR.

Sounds too good to be true doesn't it? Well, that's what I'm wondering. I ran across this device on the LYC forum and then received an email today from a reader that wanted to know if anyone has used this. He has a relative deploying to Kuwait soon and wants to know if anyone has had experience with this overseas.

When I asked my soldier he thought it might use up too much bandwidth, but I'm not sure. And for $40 for the MagicJack and $10 for a cheapo phone it might just be worth a shot.

If anyone has any experience with the MagicJack please leave a comment and help us clear this up! Thanks! Pin It

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Nicole, the magicJack is perfect for Military personnel deployed in other countries since calls back to the US & Canada are FREE!The magicJack works best with hi-speed internet/broadband access, wi-fi or DSL. It does work with satellite, too, but the folks who make magicJack are clear that it works most optimally with hi-speed internet access. Plus, as you said, for $40 its a great deal!

Unknown said...

That is great news, and worth risking $40.

Thanks!

Unknown said...

I've found a few blogs listing the following two products as the best "tech" gadgets soldiers would love:

- Slingbox Pro
- MagicJack

Anyone agree?

Anonymous said...

it's a great product, but the problems is that many countries block voip service, I'm a deployed soldier and while in Kuwait I was not able to use it because the ISP blocks the ports that Magicjack uses. Now I'm in the Baghdad area in Iraq and the same deal, the ISP blocks the ports needed by MagicJack, I've contacted many times and they have no solution, the solution is to create an outbound proxy to bypass the blocked ports, but Magicjack will not provide such use, they will not even consider using any other ports. So as far as being a good gift for deployed soldiers, I would not recommended, been deployed for 7 months already and all that time chatting with MagicJack to get the issue resolved and nothing, I have not been able to use the service not once.

Anonymous said...

I found interesting on your blog and really like it. I am looking for Magic Jack resources to know there features. We all know that Magic Jack said never pay a monthly phone bill again! They have the free local and long distance calling in the USA and Canada 100% Risk Free 30 Day Trial promo that sound teasing for all of us. They have no Contract and no obligation. I have also found interesting portal - Magic Jack.

Anonymous said...

my husband and i have tried this and we hare having problems with it right now not sure if its because the service is bad over there or wat, but we havent been able to use it sucessfullly

Anonymous said...

My fiance and I use the MagicJack. He is currently in afghanistan and he can cell any phone in the US for free. Its been a great tool to have just to have the comfort of hearing his voice. Every so often the call will get disconnected but if the internet connection isn't down, I can call him back.
With MagicJack you get to sort of choose your own number, he chose a local one for our hometown. I would recomend over and over for soldiers to have this, of course it takes up a lot of bandwith so it may slow down the connection for others. Skype is great too.

Anonymous said...

It works great! My husband is in Iraq and we use it everyday! I even got one for our home so i wouldn't have to use my cell phone minutes up! Great product! Definitely worth the $40! You can order online or buy them at any Best Buy or Radioshack!!

Anonymous said...

can someone help me.im from macedonia , my brother is in afghanistan and we bought a magicjack,but he cant call uc from there, as im reading i guess we both need magicjack or just one side,or he must have magicjack too.

Anonymous said...

When my brother was deployed last year, he bought the MagicJack, and it worked great!!

heepwh said...

Where do you get the magic jack phone number?