Magic Jack is NOT free, but it deserves to be mentioned for its value to churches and non-profit organizations operating internationally. It is a consumer version of Voice Over IP… that means that instead of your phone call being transmitted over the normal system of telephone wires, your call is carried over the internet. Each Magic Jack has a unique phone number assigned to it. NOTE: Hawaii residents will be unable to get an 808 Area Code, so the number will be an out-of-area number.
You purchase a small device about the size of a Zippo lighter: it is 2.5 inches x 1.5 inches x a little more than 1/2 inch thick. It plugs into the USB port on your computer and downloads a small piece of controller software that enables dialing on your computer. The Magic Jack device has a jack into which you can plug any standard telephone that uses an RJ-11 connector:
That's all there is to it. Pick up the phone and dial. It works. You can order it online at http://www.magicjack.com or purchase it at local retailers like Target, WalMart, Radio Shack, Walgreens and others. The price ranges from about $39 – $49 dollars, but that includes one year of service at the $19.95 annual rate.
In terms of practical value for churches? If you travel on short-term missions, or sponsor/support a missionary in another country, a Magic Jack enables them to avoid expensive cell phone charges and -- if they have a reasonably fast internet connection -- they can make and receive calls on a Magic Jack and stay in communication regularly.
No comments:
Post a Comment