Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!bionet!ames!sun-barr!newstop!texsun!texbell!vector!telecom-gateway
From: eli@chipcom.com
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Voice Mail or 2nd Phone Line?
Message-ID: <telecom-v09i0358m03@vector.dallas.tx.us>
Date: 7 Sep 89 12:28:23 GMT
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Approved: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us
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X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 358, message 3 of 7

Hi folks...  I'd like your opinions regarding my future telecom needs
for my home (apartment).  Right now, I have one residence line and a
DID voice mail number.  The voice mail service i am using now is cheap,
but has been losing important messages for me due to busy signals.

I'm trying to decide whether to go with a commercial voice mail/pager service
or a second phone line with answering machine.  The commercial service
allows me 150 calls per month (.20 each beyond 150), and a pager to indicate
when i receive a voice message.  I would forward to voice mail when I am
on a modem or other long phone call.  (I HATE CALL WAITING!).  This service
would cost me about $25 per month.

My other option is to get a second phone line with minimal outdial service,
and an answering machine.  The phone line would be $60 to install, $10 a
month for service.  I'm wondering about answering machine cost -- and
whether there are answering machines which provide full access from a
remote touchtone phone.  Any recommendations re machines like this would
be appreciated, as well.

The cost of my two options seems to be similar -- if I amortize all the
costs over a year or two (as long as I'm likely to live there)...  the
second phone line can come in very handy sometimes...  but the voicemail/pager
also comes in very handy as well...  which should I go for?

-- Steve Elias
-- eli@chipcom.com  (for Chipcom / networking related mail)
-- eli@spdcc.com    (for metroboston email2fax and personal mail)
-- voice mail: 617 859 1389   (send email to both addresses if you like)
-- work phone: 617 890 6844