1ButtonToWifi is a service that does two interesting things to make communication better: it allows you to save a lot of money on international calls, and allows you to make these calls on the go, i.e. using your mobile phone. But prior to being able to benefit from this, you have to buy a piece of hardware that costs $199. Once you do that and register, you can make long distance and international calls for as low as 2 cents per minute. Moreover, you don't need to be close to the box to make calls, you can even be miles away.
The Pros
- Very cheap international rates, starting at 2 cents per minute
- Any mobile or landline phone can be used, anywhere. No need for expensive Wi-Fi phones
- many features come with the service
- Free calls between 1ButtonToWifi through the box
The cons
- The initial investment of $199 on a box
- No free local calls to non-1ButtonToWifi users, unlike other services of that type, like [link url=/od/servicesandsolutions/p/Ooma.htm]ooma[link] and [link url=/od/servicesandsolutions/fr/MagicJackReview.htm]MagicJack[link].
What The Service Costs
You first have to buy a box for $199, and should already have a high-speed DSL connection. Then, for each call you make, you are billed according to their rates, depending on the destination. Since most users already a high-speed Internet connection, in most cases it does not add up to the cost.Also add to that the shipping cost and that of a phone number. US users pay very little for shipping and are given a free phone number, while those outside the US may, in certain worst cases, pay as much for shipping as for the box itself, and have to pay for a phone number.
So, where the service really allows you to save money is when you make international calls to popular destinations. At the time I am writing this, its rates are the best on the market for international calls. Local calls are also billed, and so in this field, it does not offer that much saving. However, calls between users that use the 1ButtonToWifi box are free, so you can save a lot by having the people you call more often get the service as well. There are no monthly bills and anything charged is prepaid.
How About Cellular Costs?
You pay for the cellular part only if you get charged for calling locally. For instance, say your cell phone is with AT&T and has a 1213 area code. Your 1buttontoWiFi device at home also has a 1213 number assigned to it. When you press 1Button on your cell phone to dial your device, AT&T looks at it as a local call and does not charge you anything for the call. You simply use your cellular plan minutes to call locally for free and then use 1ButtontoWiFi to call the world.For countries with connection charges to local numbers, you will always pay the initial connection charge. You will still save however on the worldwide destinations you can call by routing your call through 1ButtonToWifi.
How 1ButtonToWifi Works
After you fill an online form and complete registration and payment procedures, the box is shipped to you. If you live in the US, you get it after 5 days. An email comes as well, with a new phone number and login information.Setting up is very easy and quick. Simply plug the box to the Internet connection and wait 10-15 seconds till the light turns green. Then, plug your telephone handset and start making calls. Box-to-box calls can be made right away, but long distance and international calls can be made only after programming your (most likely) mobile phone this way:
Program the unique local phone number that was sent to you into any one of your speed dial numbers. Press the speed dial number, which will make the phone dial the 1ButtonToWifi box and access the service's network. You will be given a dial tone once the service's server recognizes your phone as linked to the number you dialed. Then, you can dial the long distance or international number you want to call.
