After I decided to buy my own cable modem (without telephony) instead of renting one from Comcast, I lost the ability to use VOIP with Comcast, so had to find an alternative. Following the recommendation of a family member, I bought this unit and set it up. So far it has worked very well. The instructions are quite good. It seemed to have a bit of trouble getting an IP address from my router initially, but within 10 minutes after I cycled the unit, the logo turned solid blue on the top and the phone worked fine. I am opting for basic ooma service, so I had to pay $40 to port my landline number from Comcast, but it was worth it to me versus keeping the free number I selected through the ooma website. The website indicates that the transfer will take 3-4 weeks, which is lengthy for something that should be simple by now, but maybe that estimate is way on the cautious side- time will tell.
Some considerations:
-If you want transfer your phone number, don't disconnect your phone service with the current provider until after the transfer occurs. If you cancel phone service with your current provider, you will not be able to transfer your number- it's out of your control and back in the number pool of your current provider.
-ooma won't work with an Ackerman security system, so keep in mind you might have to go with a cell phone-based upgrade to your security system. It's much safer anyway, but it does decrease the monthly savings when switching to ooma. The cell service option will cost $10/month more, but I am still money ahead.
Cost comparison:
+$10.00 for cell phone upgrade to security system
+$ 3.85 for monthly ooma taxes and fees
-$ 7.00, no more monthly comcast modem rental charges
-$ 32.00, no more Comcast phone service
Net savings is about $25 per month; I spent $160 on the ooma and $150 on Netgear modem plus $40 on the port ($350), so I will break even in about 14 months. That's OK with me, and worth it to break away from having to use a substandard Comcast modem while getting an upgrade to our security system at the same time.
Update- as soon as the phone number ported to Ooma, Comcast automatically raised my monthly subscription rate to internet and cable to $200, so I had to call them and go through the process of getting the monthly rate down. Comcast subscribers- be prepared.
AUGUST 25 2014 update- No problems with the phone except when I continually lost my internet connection. Off topic, but we just switched to ATT Uverse service and at least in my locale the internet stability has been much better (no drops whatsoever in more than a week). The final straw was when I was charged $60 for a Comcast service visit when the tech could not find anything wrong with the signal strength, so he informed me he had to indicate that my equipment was to blame. I didn't understand that meant a $60 charge. I know other people have the exact opposite experience, but if you are dissatisfied with your current Comcast service, it's worth a look at ATT Uverse.
OCTOBER 2014 update. Ooma box has worked flawlessly, but discovered that the company automatically signs you up for a higher tier of features that you get free for a month, but then your credit card begins to be charged at a higher rate. Just be aware that you will have to call and stop higher tier service if you don't want those features.
MAY 2015: I haven't had any problems with the unit except very rare internet connection drops. BTW, it took me 6 months to get the $90 Comcast owed me back from them- after three calls and hours on the phone, plus a FAX to their "Consumer Service VP" or whatever their title is, I finally got the check. I have to say that Comcast's very poor customer service reputation is well deserved in my personal experience.

If you're buying a Telo to replace a broken one you'll have to:

1. call or chat with their tech support
2. wait *at least* 24 hours to activate it

You *cannot* add it to your existing Ooma account without going through their tech support. I tried activating through their online chat tech support but all they can do is submit a ticket. I was notified that it would be 24 to - 48 hours before they'd address the issue.

In this year of our Lord 2023 how we cannot simply replace a piece of hardware through our online account?!

I can't tell you how my new Telo works because it's currently a $79 paperweight awaiting activation. My old Telo was pretty darn good, tho.

I have used Ooma service since 2011. At that point in time their tech support was outstanding. The first Ooma device lasted till 2021 and I replaced with a new one. At that point in time their tech support was OK but no longer outstanding. The one I bought failed in June of 2023 and I bought a new one from Amazon the same day. Ooma's policy now requires me to call their tech support to link the new device to my existing Ooma account. Can't be done on line, you are required to talk to a human being via telephone. I called yesterday and was told that a Specialist was required to make the switch. Took 2 days and 3 phone calls to talk to a Specialist and get my new Ooma box in service. Total of over 3 hours on hold. Love the product but am less than pleased with their tech policy and service needs some work.

Got rid of telephone-company DSL and switched to cable. This seemed like a good alternative since I wanted to keep some kind of land line. It was easy to set up and has been working fine for three months. If you don't want any fancy services, it will cost you about $6 a month.

I got this Ooma Telo so I could drop ATT as my landline system. This system is a VOIP so you do need a internet connection. For it to work. you must activate the ooma telo box before you can use it. and you upload speed has to be about 41 mps or higher. for it to work omma recommends 84mps upload speed but it will work on 41 mps upload speed no problem. And I had to spend 40 dollars to port my old landline phone number. and for me. my phone bill went from 90 dollars a month with att. to 40 dollars a month. for that price.And I need to give ooma my credit card that's what gets charged each moth I get caller i.d. call waiting a free second phone number. And the ability to forward my home calls to my cell phone. And I have had this system for a about month and I get way fewer spam calls now. And my phone calls are clearer now. And I can call any where in the USA. all that for 40 dollars a month And you have to give ooma your address that's just so if you have a emergency emergency services can find you.