Its a review about this product
Firstly, I bought the Ooma Telo with full knowledge that there were promised features that had not yet been delivered (Google Voice extensions). My break even on switching to the Telo was less than 6 months, so I consider this to no longer be a trial or experiment and will continue to be a customer for the foreseeable future. But while the initial impressions are undeniably attractive, I still caution that there are some disappointments in the switch:
1. Ooma's recommended configuration is to place the Telo *between* your modem and router so that it can automatically apply Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization for voice calls (so you don't sound like you're talking in a tin can). But because the Telo also acts as a router (and its router functions cannot be disabled), this results in a 'Double NAT'. While this is a fairly techie complaint, that the Telo includes super simplistic router functions that cannot be disabled (via changing it to 'Bridge' mode), it may not be a valid concern for typical customers. However, for more technical customers, a 'Double NAT' can cause connectivity issues establishing a VPN connection to your work/office network or may even interfere with some of the interactive (remote multi-player) functions in some gaming systems. The alternative is to install the Telo *after* your existing router, which now means that you'll want to get familiar with the QoS settings on your original router.
2. One of the main selling points for the Ooma Premier subscription is the Instant Second Line. Whereas with the older Ooma Hub enables the second line function via Ooma Scout extensions, the Telo *requires* the Telo handset. And although Ooma typically offers a free Telo handset as part of the enticement to upgrade to the Premier service, the Telo handset doesn't have a headset jack?! The alternative to handsfree operation is to add the Ooma Bluetooth adapter to the Telo, but this too is problematic due to the significantly reduced range of Bluetooth (~30 ft) as compared to modern DECT 6 phones. And within our household, using the Telo handset as a speakerphone simply isn't an option, thus Ooma's decision to omit a headset jack is the primary reason why we won't add Telo handsets or upgrade to the Premier service level.
I've had my Ooma Telo for over a year now and definitely appreciate the cost savings. But buyers should be forewarned that while Ooma is cheaper than Vonage or a traditional landline, it is not without its bugs and quirks. They have a fairly good track record of improving their software and rolling out new features and I'm hoping that they continue to improve it. One final concern is that while the one-time/upfront hardware cost for the Ooma is great for consumers, it may not translate into the type of income that Ooma needs to survive.
