|
Avoxi Voxbox™ Product Review |
|
|
|
|
Written by J. Innerarity
|
|
Wednesday, 01 September 2004 |
|
Page 1 of 3 A number of devices providing international calling capabilities have sprung upon the local market in recent times. This is an especially interesting phenomenon given the fact that the country's international calling options have in the past been limited to the often expensive routes dictated by the then sole telecommunications provider. This article takes a look at one of the more recent devices facilitating international calling.
The VoxBox
The VoxBox, developed by Avoxi Communications, enables a user to make international calls based on prepaid calling credit. The tiny device, no bigger than a car stereo remote, connects directly to a telephone unit, and then to the wall jack. There are no additional wires to plug in, no AC adapters or power cables, no complicated wiring diagram. You just plug and talk; literally. There is no requirement to input a user name and password of an existing Internet account, subsequently meaning you don’t need to apply for such an account if you don’t already have one. In fact, you’re not required to have an Internet connection at all.
Pre-paid Calling Credits
The tiny instructional pamphlet accompanying the device includes easy-to-follow directions for enabling the device with new credit. If you own a pre-paid cellular package you will notice the striking similarity to refilling credit on your cell phone. In fact, the number of digits typed is actually less – making the process even more seamless than using your cellular phone. So if you own a pre-paid cellular package, it works in exactly the same way.
You may purchase credits in packages which are multiples of JM$50. As at the time of this writing, there are approximately 422 locations island-wide from which pre-paid calling credits may be readily obtained. The larger number of these locations is proportionately spread in parishes of higher population density. These include 132 locations in Kingston and St. Andrew alone. The following table shows the number of locations from which credit may be purchased in each parish:
| Parish |
# Locations |
| Clarendon |
24 |
| Hanover |
3 |
| Kingston & St. Andrew |
132 |
| Manchester |
27 |
| Portland |
1 |
| St. Ann |
63 |
| St. Catherine |
91 |
| St. Elizabeth |
4 |
| St. James |
26 |
| St. Mary |
21 |
| St. Thomas |
10 |
| Trelawny |
16 |
| Westmoreland |
4 |
| Total |
422 |
|