Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has been gaining traction as the new, non-telco land line. Companies like Vonage and Skype are household names. But the market for the open technology is wide-open, which is why there are literally dozens of ways you can "cut the cord" and start using your high speed internet connection as you home phone connection.

The netTalk Duo WiFi ($75; www.nettalk.ca/duowifi) from the aptly named NetTalk.com Inc., is one such alternative. It's pleasantly competent about it, too. It delivers the gambit of expected home phone features such as  Call Display, Call Block, Caller ID Blocking, Call Waiting, Voicemail, Conference Calling and so on, but unlike regular home phone plans, you get all features for free, not as part of a bundle of three or five. Free is nice. Speaking of all-inclusive, local and long distance calls across North America are also free. All of them, all the time.


The $75 purchase price includes one year of service. It's $40 per year after that. All you need to do is couple the thing to your internet connection, either with a cord or via Wi-Fi - and yes, that means it can travel with you and connect to any wi-fi hotspot, though you'll also have to bring a home phone handset along with you.

The only downside to the NetTalk Duo WiFi system is that you can't port your current phone number to it, and while you can easily choose a brand new home phone number for anywhere in Canada, the selection is limited. If that doesn't both you, go nuts.

Shaun Conlin is the editor-in-chief at
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