Some more tips to share for using iTalkBB:
1) Don't tell your friends your new iTalkBB US phone number before you decide to keep the service or want to transfer your current home phone to iTalkBB.
Cable Modem users can easily call SBC to cancel their basic phone account after the phone number is transfered to iTalkBB (it takes about 3 to 4 weeks to complete the transfer. Don't cancel SBC acount before the transfer is complete).
2)SBC DSL users may not find it easy to cancel the current phone account unless you have more than one line. Check with a SBC representative before you try to cancel.
An alternative is to ask them to set your current phone line to the lowest plan. The default phone plan with SBC is for unlimited local calls (about $10.50). If you ask to switch to limited plan charge by minutes, it would be about $5.5 a month.
Keep a second phone line for just receiving calls is a good idea.
3)Buy a UPS( uninterruptible power supply ) for your DSL/Cable modem and IP phone box if you want to use IP phone in case of power failure..
4)If you want to save your friends and family in China's local call charges, call them right back if you want to talk long. It is free unlimited to call China and Hong Kong(both landline and mobile), Taiwan (only landline) from your IP phone.
Remember, they charge you for Taiwan, UK and some other countries mobile phone while the calls to landlines are free. Don't get burnt by that. Althougt their rates are pretty/comparatively low to mobile phones in those area and countries, but if you think mistakenly all the calls are free and talk for hours... the bill would be big.
5)If you are a user yet, you can sign up at
http://iTalkBB.com online with the promotion code:126510 to save extra $10 and get first month free ( it will be $24.99 if you choose the $24.99 plan). But don't call their toll free number to sign up. Otherwise, you will not get the extra credit, which is for online sign up only.
Of course, you can always to call their toll free number for their support service after you sign up online.
Let me know if you have other questions and I'll be glad to share with you all.
Happy calling.
