Comments on: Free Voice Mail for All Ooma Users

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:27:50 +0000

@Ms J,

I understand your comments about wanting the Caller ID name, however, you are not comparaing apples to apples. While the other hardware you mention (that Telo is competing against, Panasonic, etc.) supports Caller ID Name, so does the Ooma Telo hardware.

Unless I am mistaken, I don’t think Ooma is trying to provide their product as simply an alternative to replace a cordless phone. The real benefit of Ooma is not just the hardware, it’s the service. If you choose to use Ooma as a free VoIP service provider than you miss out on the caller ID name (a small price to pay for free phone service). However, if you want to use Ooma to replace your exisiting phone service then the small annual fee for the Premier service includes caller ID number AND name.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:15:14 +0000

@Steve. Thanks… the article and some of the comments seemed to contradict each other and I got confused. Also, from what I can make out (and again, it is confusing), the only Ooma product I can buy now that won’t incur some form of a yearly fee is the old “Core” (Hub and Scout); the Telo and all other products will have a $12 or so annual fee to cover taxes.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:24:06 +0000

Dan, WTF? The point of this whole thread is that voice mail is now an included feature in all plans, including the free plan. PLEASE SCROLL UP AND READ THE TITLE OF THIS THREAD. If you want CNID with the free plan, then you have a problem. You may be able to set your phone up so that when a number that’s in _it’s_ directory is received, it will display the name, as your cell phone does.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:22:55 +0000

So I am tempted to buy a Telo but not if it doesn’t include voice mail and caller ID names. I don’t want or need the Premiere service. I have very simple phone needs: just one line with an existing Panasonic wireless handset that handles caller ID names.

Is there any package (Core? Telo?) I can buy from Ooma at this point that will provide those two basic services and not cost me a yearly fee?

By: Ms J

Ms J — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:22:19 +0000

The two deal breakers for me that have made me NOT buy the Telo is lack of included voicemail and no caller ID names in the standard package. I am glad to hear you are finally including voicemail, again, in the standard package.

Unfortunately without caller ID names I am still not buying the Telo. I know of no phone that only gives the user caller ID numbers without the names. The Telo is up against handsets like Panasonic (they include names in caller ID).

Make it so anyone that buys a Telo handset to use with the Telo base station gets free caller ID names. That will make the Telo + handset package worthwhile and allow you to compete with other phones like any Siemens, AT&T or Panasonic phone system.

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:23:54 +0000

As a Premier user for about 6 months now I couldn’t be more satisfied with the service. While I have no intention of switching it still impresses me to see a company listen to it’s customers (all the more reason to support OOMA).

To all the users on the basic plan, if you want more features (i.e. Caller Name), give some serious thought to upgrading to the Premeir plan instead of asking for it for ‘free’ (yes I know you purchased the hardware). OOMA’s Premier plan is still one of the least expensive VOIP options available (certainly if call quality is considered). Upgrading to Premier is a great way to get the features you want (and then some), and will maintain the viability of the OOMA business model. It will also promote more advanced features as the number of Premier subsribers grow and warrant the effort/money spent on new features.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:24:02 +0000

I kind of agree with Anthony Williams. With Hubs selling at almost the same price as Telco’s … it was the free voicemail that prompted me to elect the older technology. I suspect you might see quite a few returned Hubs now. Ironically, I didn’t realize caller ID Name was no longer a Basic feature. Maybe you could offer that to Hub owners instead. Candidly, these features are included in most VOIP services and while I feel “late to the dance” with Ooma … the removal of these most basic of services is a little concerning.

By: Joel Posner

Joel Posner — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:46:21 +0000

I think these guys are idiots to think that people wouldn’t mind not having voicemail.

And then their clairifing statement still doesn’t cleare it up. They say “Ooma Hub, Ooma Hub/Scout, and Ooma Telo customers will have the built in web based voice mail with local, remote, or web based access just like before.”

They should have began the statement saying “ALL Ooma Hub, Ooma Hub/Scout, and Ooma Telo customers USING THE FREE OR PEMIUM SERVICE will have…”

By: Harsh

Harsh — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:42:03 +0000

returned my ooma telo,
since I couldnt get satisfactory answers re: ADT.
may buy again, if this changes.

By: ooma.cares

ooma.cares — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:34:08 +0000

I am a Hub/Scout user, since mid of 2007. I am very happy with OOMA so far. This kind of responsiveness to user feedback is what makes OOMA experience, so better.

Thanks, and Keep it up!