Cross-posted from DigiTrail Blaze

For less than $20 a year, you could provide a missionary (or yourself) with a local phone number and free, unlimited long distance to anyone in the US or Canada. I’ve been testing an amazing little device that installs quickly, works on almost any computer, and is as easy to use an old-fashioned telephone. It’s called MagicJack, and though it uses the same technology as other VOIP services like the well-known Skype and Vonage, there are no monthly fees for calling folks who don’t have the service. In fact, with MagicJack, you can call any phone number in the US or Canada from anywhere in the world where broadband Internet access is available. You pay only $40 for the hardware device and first year of service, and then $20 (or less depending on renewal term) for each year after that. Yes, these are the annual, not monthly fees. There are no time limits, long distance charges, taxes, or additional costs unless you dialing a number outside North America, and then you must purchase International calling credits. That’s only needed when calling to an International number from this device. With MagicJack, you actually take a US number wherever you go. Incoming and outgoing calles are treated as if dialing to/from any US landline or cell number. Best thing is the receiving party doesn’t need a computer. If you want, you can use a headset/mic with your computer to place a call, but it’s easier just to plug in a cheap phone (like the one I bought at Dollar General for $5.50).

A small USB device (like a flash drive) holds the installation and application software along with your personal telephone address book and call history. You plug the MagicJack into a USB port and a regular, old-fashioned phone into what looks like an ordinary phone jack on the device. After the gadget initializes, you can pick up the phone, hear a dial tone, and dial the number just like old times. Your computer must be on and online in order to send and receive calls, but if you turn it off, incoming calls will go into voicemail which will automatically be emailed to you as a sound file (neat!).

In theory, the device could replace your home or business phone line or even provide phone service to your entire household. I say “in theory” because so far you cannot port your old number to the MagicJack though they say that capability will be available soon. Also, not all area codes are available. For example, I had my choice of numbers in the 615 area code (Nashville area), but could not select a number in Southern Illinois (618 area code). But I could have chosen a Chicago area code (312 or 773) which would have given my old friends in the Windy City a local number on which to call me. One caveat: MagicJack does not always work on fax machines. For example, I can send but not receive faxes on ours.

Sarah took our MagicJack with her to Central Asia and upon arrival called me on my cell phone. The call was clear and crisp with no echo or delay. The call had to be short because everyone on the team was waiting in line to call home. Our missionary friends there asked if we wouldn’t mind leaving our MagicJack (with its Nashville number) behind. I told Sarah to do just that. Forty bucks is a small price for a gift that could help a missionary (or several) keep in touch with the home office, supporters, family, and friends back in the states for an entire year.

Here’s the website where you can order a MagicJack for yourself or a missionary you support (make sure they have high speed Internet; dial up will not work). Don’t let the fact that the website sounds like an infomercial turn you off to this amazing device.