Voip -- Voice over Internet Protocol.
Magicjack is a new product that plugs into your usb port on your pc, then you plug in your analog existing phone into it. 
$19.95 / year. $40.00 to purchase. Thats it. Works with your existing internet service. Requires XP, VISTA, or INTEL MAC. You can have multiple jacks on your network. Uses ports 5060 and 5070 UDP. 80k bandwidth is used. Some faxes may work too.
Although the magicJack was not designed to be set up this way, many have been successful doing so.
In order to set up your wiring so that magicJack can feed and ring your phones plugged into the wall phone outlets please do the following.
Locate the Telco Box where your landline comes in. In a house this box is usually located on the outside of the house. In an apartment it can be located in a closet, laundry room, or storage room.
You disconnect the line coming in from the phone company and then connect a phone cord from where the phone company line was connected and then plug the other end of the phone cord into the back of your magicJack.
(Please be advised that this will diconnect your landline from ringing the wall Jacks. If you want them both to work you will have to buy a splitter)
Please be aware that you may have to purchase an AC Powered USB Hub to plug the magicJack into to provide enough power to feed all the phones connected to the wall jacks throughout your apartment or house.
Also, try using newer phones as older phones require more power to ring and the USB port on your computer or the AC powered USB Hub may not provide enough power to ring the phones if they are of an older model.
This is a great service because it is feature rich. You get all the bells and whistles included in the price with out paying extra. Most services include free computer to computer calls, unlimited long distance to lan lines, and it is normally a flat fee every month. Most services allow you to keep your existing phone number.
Cons:
Requires internet access. Most of the time this is not a problem, except if your internet access is unstable or unreliable. It could end up sounding like your cell phone. Fax machines and security alarm systems and maybe older devices that use modems such as the replay system may not work with this type of service. 911 calls are handled differently too. Be sure to check out all of the features before jumping in to this service.
www.phonepower.com
www.magicjack.com
www.ooma.com
www.vonage.com
www.skype.com
