Accessories

Free international calling (Globarange to Globarange calling)

Installation:
Was a cake walk. All you need to know is how your home internet connection works and if you home modem can accomudate an extra RJ45 connection. Just turn on your phone and make the network connection. On the first connection the phone automatically try to reach the VOIP server and register itself. In a couple of minutes you get an SMS assigning you a JOIP number

JOIP number:
Is a special kind of phone number to call withing JOIP network. You can make a call to a JOIP number only from a JOIP phone or JOIP soft phone. However from a JOIP phone or JOIP soft phone you can call any JOIP number ANYWERE IN THE WORLD FREEEEEEE OF COST.

JOIP to regular phone calling (optional service):
Its a pre-paid service. Along with the SMS notifying your JOIP number you will also get another SMS that assgn you a default password to your JOIP on-line account. Use your JOIP number and password to log-in and charge your account. Now you are free to talk call any POTS number in the world at a nominal charge deducted from your balance. A call to US land line number is costs JUST 1.5 CENTS a minute.

Land line phone:
The nice part is you can also use this phone to make and receive your regular land line calls, In which case your call go through your regular phone service provider. There is no JOIP involded here.

No need for a Land line:
Additionaly if you subscribe to JOIP monthly plan, you will get a regular number with which you can make and receive calls to and from any land line phone. This option eliminate the need for your additional existing land line connection (if you have phone and DSL based internet service from the same provider then you are out of luck). I don't know much about the quality of this service since I'm out of luck.

JOIP softphone:
Once you login to the JOIP web site you can download the JOIP softphone and install it on your laptop and use your laptop as your Panasonic Globerange phone to make free and cheap calls.

Pros:
* Free calling between JOIP lines anywhere in the world where you have internet connection
* high quality and ease of use
* dual mode POTS and VOIP lines support
* expandable with add-on hand sets when purchased
* cheap long-distance withing US
* Cool features such as downloadable ring tones
* JOIP soft phone and Web JOIP for people who do a lot of international/domestic travel

Cons:
* VOIP service provider cannot be changed. JOIP is the only provider as of now.
* Unavailablity of a soft phone for PDAs like Palm or Pocket PC

Many people complain about the JOIP customer service. I am not sure about it as I never had any problem and never had to call them (may be I was lucky).

good product but not what I thought
Good phone from technical perspective but it was unclear from descriptive on-line literature that the P-to-P internet capability was only for proprietary system contracted out by Panasonic. Since I didn't expect nor desire to be limited to a proprietary system, I did not get what I thought I had ordered. Not sure this is the fault of ignorance and insufficient research on my part or deliberate obfuscation by Panasonic.

Horrible Joip service
Amber light was blinking continuously so tried contacting joip customer service. Looks like there is no way I can reach them.
Sent email at support@joip.com, but it bounced back. Called their 1-800 number which is just a recorded message.
I reset the device a couple of times, but still the same amber blinking light.
No other choice except returning it.
very much disappointed.

I didn't like the sound quality for the land line
I dodn't like the sound quality for the landline. Never used it for internet line, because I already have Vonage (internet phone).
Finally I bought another Panasonic KX-TG1033S which sounds much better with landline.
Otherwise, the system seemed fine.

Nearly ideal solution
The "hybrid" positioning appealed to me and the Globarange delivers it very nicely. The GTA150B handset - I bought four of them -- works as advertised. The Intercom features is nice -- you can use it as a child monitor, listening in on another room, or as an alarm. I do both. Sound quality as a handset and as a handheld speakerphone is very good. There is no interference between the handsets.

I've used the handsets are far as 200 feet away from the base station. Good range!

My chief recommendation to Panasonic is to make the green and orange line buttons work as toggles to answer and hang up calls. When you take a call on the 150B by pressing TEL or IP (the big green and orange buttons), you hang up by pressing OFF. I'd much prefer to toggle using the green and orange buttons.

Going forward, if this service is successful, I hope Panasonic offers DECT-based handsets.

Regarding the JOIP service, I was dismayed when customer service told me I could not bring my AT&T business number with me, even though AT&T agreed to release it. How odd, especially when the competition is advertising this feature on TV. Guess it's too much work for their programmers!

On the other hand, the ability to achieve an assigned number in other area codes has helped me establish better marketing. I often communicate in Silicon Valley and now have a local area code there.

I'm also a little concerned about outgoing caller ID, not certain that my name shows with my number. When I try it, the CID says DELTATHREE. I've programmed my name at JOIP but it doesn't seem to work in the Pay as You Go plan.