I was deterred from buying this phone after reading some of the other reviews posted here on Amazon. However, since I have a telecom background in the management of both services and equipment (AT&T, Qwest, Inter-tel), I decided to see if the negative reviews that portray this device as difficult to install were true. I'm happy to report that this device is easy to install for those that are comfortable using web interfaces. I would like to address some of the other reviewer' comments:
#1) Other reviewers have correctly noted that this device provides "free" dial tone service if you register for a free google voice account. Registering for a google account is very easy.
#2) Another reviewer, Jane Sangerman, states that this phone does not work and is no longer supported. This is patently false and misleading. I suspect that Jane is having some technical issues with her firewall or her ISP. Or, perhaps she does not have the technical skills to follow the directions that are provided.
#3) Other reviewers have commented that several attempts are needed to register the phone on the Obihai website. I had no problem whatsoever. Again, I suspect there might be problems on the back end, such as with firewall settings, or with something else.
#4) Some reviewers have noted that a firmware update is required to use the phone. I performed the firmware update after I configured the phone. The phone worked fine before and after the update. The update was easy to do if you know your way around computers and can follow simple instructions.
#5) Another reviewer (Will) states that the phone does not work with Google voice over wifi. I have not setup this phone over wifi because an ethernet connection is essential for call quality. That is because voice over internet protocol (VOIP) phones use a special feature known as SIP (session internet protocol) that establishes a dedicated internet pathway for your calls, thereby preventing lags and interruptions in your call. If you connect over wifi, your phone does not get the benefit of SIP. For this reason, you should plan to use this phone with a dedicated ethernet connection; and if your router allows it, you should configure that ethernet port to have the highest priority.
#6) Some reviewers have noted that the setup instructions are very poor. If you are not confident in using web interfaces, then I would encourage you to look over the instructions, and do some research on how to configure this phone. It's really not that difficult, but you will be required to access a few websites and enter your credentials. Then, you will need to enter some data to configure the phone.
The points made above explain why people either love or hate this phone. Haters do not have the skills to setup the phone, while lovers have the skills and are enjoying the many benefits that this phone offers. Here are some of the benefits:
1) Once configured with google voice, you will have no monthly phone bills.
2) The phone provides excellent call quality with very loud volume. I have the volume set at 5 on a scale of 15.
3) Works with several types of headsets: 3.5mm headset jack, RJ9, USB, or bluetooth. I have never seen a phone that works with so many headsets!
4) The build quality of this phone is enterprise class. The VOIP phones that I sold for Inter-Tel to business customers for $5000/piece had a similar build quality but had only a fraction of the features that this phone provides.
5) Since I have 2 separate google email accounts, I have this phone configured with 2 google voice phone numbers.
6) I'm still exploring the call features. This phone allows you to place a call on hold, and then conference on another line. It also allows you to forward your calls, using the interface built into the phone. I verified the call forwarding works, but I haven't tried the conferencing feature yet.
7) I've had multiple phone calls that lasted between 1 and 2 hours, and never had a disconnect, latency issue, or any type of call quality issue during those calls. Again, I configured over ethernet because I'm certain that a wifi connection will bring a drastic reduction in call quality.
Thus far, this phone has exceeded my expectations. It took only about 20 minutes to get it working with one google voice line, 20 minutes to do the firmware update (not counting the time the phone was updating), and 20 minutes to setup the second google voice line.
The call quality has definitely exceeded my expectations, such that I plan to use this phone instead of my cell phone for making business calls. Especially important is the call volume, and this phone can really crank up the call volume if necessary.
I really like that my noise cancelling bluetooth headset works with this phone so that I can walk around the house while I'm on a call without the other end knowing what I'm doing.
This phone is leaps and bounds ahead of the Inter-Tel VOIP phone that I previously sold to businesses for $5,000/piece. It's amazing that technology, and the price point, has moved forward so quickly in just 15 years.
Whether you should buy this phone depends on your own capabilities, your patience, and if you have a friend that can help you with difficulties. Other reviewers have noted that tech support is not a good option, so plan ahead, and take note of the points made above. For those that get this phone configured over ethernet, you will be rewarded with an amazing enterprise class business phone that does more than you will ever need.
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