T Mobile @ Home, anyone using this new service???

L

LeadaLegacy

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As for the use of T-Mobile's handsets, you should do fine with another unit. I have noticed that if their is a voicemail waiting the router does send the stutter tone so another handset should recognize that.

As to the router cost. It is $150 retail, $49.99 on 2 year contract (which is required to set the service up according to the info we were given).

Zo
 
Thx Zo... I stopped by T-Mobile last night and got to spend about 10 mins with a salesman before they closed for the night. They had one of the VoIP phones set up there through the router, so I got to try out the phone. Seems perfectly nice, with my only issue being that T-Mobile only carries the basic combo (basestation, extra charging stand and 2 handsets) -- if you want extra handsets you have to order them from VTech directly. I've got an older VTech 5.8ghz system now with 5 handsets spread around the house (2 in different home offices, bedroom, livingroom, basement)...

The "accessory handset" that VTech sells for this is essentially the matching device for the pair the T-Mobile sells. It's the DS3101 -- VTech charges $30 for one.

The price from T-Mobile and VTech isn't bad. Don't know that I'd find any other new DECT 6 phones with VMWI for t-mobile's voicemail any cheaper. With all the wireless in my house, I like the idea of moving to DECT 6. A shame to retire my old 5.8 system, but they're a few years old, batteries are getting funky and I hate to put money into battery replacements on phones that don't have the VMWI for external voicemail like T-Mobile's --- I really like the idea that ANY handset in the house will show the bright orange VMWI when a new message is waiting...

Will decide this morning. Leaning toward the official T-Mobile / VTech equipment unless I find a more appealing alternative before I head out later this morning.
 
Update: Stopped by my local T-Mobile store this evening, signed up for T-Mobile@Home ($10/month VoIP landline replacement service) and brought home the Linksys router and pair of vTech phones.

Took more time to undo my old router than it did to set up the new system. It simply works with incredibly little effort from me. Sound clarity is fantastic so far - very pleased.

The phones are nice and seem pretty competitive compared to others of similar build quality and features.

I started without porting over my home number -- I'll try these out for a couple of days, and if still happy, will order 3 more handsets from vTech. 14 days of "buyer's remorse" to work within, but I'm already very impressed.

This really is great - very happy so far!
 
I don't know for sure, but I think that the overseas rates are pretty bad -- comparable (maybe same as?) the overseas rates for somebody with a domestic mobile phone contract trying to make an overseas call.

I don't know the details, but from what I understand, I would suggest finding an alternative for calling overseas. If the person/people on the other end are at all tech savvy, my guess is that some form of Skype setup would make the most sense for overseas calls.
 
I cannot answer your techenical question regarding the VM light activation, however you may want to note that you actually get 2 phones in the box for $59....
 
Gary -

I learned some more about VM indicator. It *is* operating on an industry standard. Seems that VM systems use either "FSK" or "stutter tone". From what I've read, the phones that support a VMWI that ties to your phone company's voicemail system support both technologies typically.

Anyway - in the end, not an issue for me: as you note, you get two phones for $59 from T-Mobile. You can then purchase additional phones directly from VTech's website for $29 a piece. I just ordered 3 more yesterday (in addition to the original 2 from T-Mobile), should have them before Friday.

I've had the T-Mobile@Home VoIP system up and running since Saturday night, and so far it has been flawless. Sound quality superb, voicemail great - same as voicemail for my T-Mobile cell phones. I also tried walking around the house, creating a lot of distance between the VTech base station and the other mobile, and the sound never varies (I have a pretty big house), from basement to 2nd floor, opposite ends of the house. Next test will be to take a phone outside the house to see how far I can get from the base station. However it seems that the overalll experience is very good: very clean sound, good volume, no static or hiss. I like the sound quality better than my last set, which was a VTech 5.8ghz system.

As soon as I know the other phones are about to arrive, I'll be putting in my call to T-Mobile to port my existing home number over to their service, and dropping Verizon and AT&T....and start saving $60 or $70 a month.
 
Currently the international rates for @home are the same as on a cell phone. T-Mobile has notified us (as dealers) that they are working on creating something similar to Vonage for international calling. Hopefully that will launch soon.

Zo
 
Only a few days on it so far, but I am SO pleased. Weird: almost feel like something is missing - there's nothing to tweak, adjust, experiment with, fine tune... it just works. It really is like an appliance - buy it, plug it in and turn it on and it just works. Sound quality is superb. I also have to say that the vTech DECT 6 phones are excellent too - great sound, and the voicemail controls right on the keypad are very convenient.

Also VERY pleased to be getting the charges for this on my T-Mobile phone bill. I've consolidated all my mobile and home phone charges onto a single bill now, and Verizon and AT&T (local and long distance) will no longer appear in my mailbox.

I think T-Mobile will do really well with this with existing T-Mo customers.
 
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