The frustration and inconvenience of missed calls:
Job seekers who miss an interview call.
Parents can't get through cause the kids are online.
Etc.
Phone companies provide call waiting so why doesn't technology use the signal.
International Electronics, Inc., has done just that.
Put the unit near your computer, and when it detects the call waiting signal it lights a red lamp and rings like a phone. Then pick up the phone that is connected to your unit and your caller will be on the line. You will probably loose the internet connection after a few seconds, but so what; most downloads will pick up where they left off.
The Alternatives to Call Waiting Ringers
Alternative Up front Cost Monthly Cost Annual Cost
Cable Modem
or $150 $30 $360
DSL
Second lines $75 $25 $300
Call waiting ringers ~$50 ~$2 ~$24
(call waiting )
Call waiting ringers will get damaged beyond repair if lightning strikes near by and it is still
connected to the power line or the phone line; and that is not covered by the warranty.
Click here for more details, no obligation to buy. I have been using Catch-A-Call
for more than 18 months, If anything they are a bit too responsive and ring on
occasion even when no one is trying to call. My first Catch a call was too sensitive and
they fixed it, but I bought a second one as I could not do without it; and a back up is
worth having in case I leave it plugged in during a thunderstorm. Neither one has
died yet, but we only have experienced one full summer. We are pretty conciencous
about unplugging both the phone line and the power line when leaving for any amount of time
in the summer months and when thunderstorms are present.
I tried an Actiontec, Call Waiting Modem at first and it was really great, but cost $90 and
blew its brains out the first time lightning struck two miles away. The battery charging
transformer was connected to the wall, but the phone line was disconnected; and the
computer was disconnected from the wall's AC receptacle.
