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What is Nextera?
Nextera Communications is a local and long
distance phone service provider that uses your high-speed Internet access
(broadband) combined with a feature-rich voice technology. Also
known as VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), this service
provides quality, reliable, and cost-effective calling solutions for
both consumers and businesses. Customers benefit from either
unlimited or minute based plans for domestic and international calling
plus a suite of over 30 basic and advanced calling
features.
You can use
Nextera VoIP service to replace your current phone company or you can choose to
use it for your 2nd+ lines. Either way you get unparalled service at an
unbelievable price.
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What is VoIP?
VoIP is "Voice over IP" or "Voice over Internet
Protocol". It is a great new way of making and receiving phone calls
using your existing high speed broadband Internet connection instead of
your regular phone line. Nextera converts your calls into data (by
using a Nextera provided phone adapter) that speeds through your
high-speed internet connection. It comes out the other end just like
a regular call. You continue to place and receive calls
using your standard touchtone phone. VoIP offers consumers and
businesses the benefit of calling both locally and long distance for less
money, with high quality and reliable connections and more features than
many traditional phone service offerrings.
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What can Nextera VoIP service do
for me?
VoIP connectivity is a more efficient method of
transport resulting in lower costs compared to traditional phone calls
that tie up all of the capacity on a traditional copper phone line.
Implementing VoIP in your business also requires substantially less
capital investment than legacy PBX investments.
Because VOIP
travels over a data (internet) network, VoIP also supports new
breakthroughs in voice applications. These tools offer greater sets of
calling features than traditional phone service and these features are
delivered online through a simple web-based interface -
MyNextera.
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How do I make and receive calls?
The same as you always have. To make a call
simply dial the number using your regular touchtone phone. To receive a
call simply pick up your phone when it rings.
For calling within
your same area code, all you need to do is dial 7 digits (no area code
needed). You'll need to dial the area code and number for calls outside
your area code.
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Do I need a broadband connection to use
Nextera?
Yes. VoIP service requires a fast Internet
access, sufficient to carry multiple data transmissions simultaneously.
There are several types of broadband connections, including:
- Cable Modem
- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
- T-1
- Fractional T-1
- T-3
The voice quality of VoIP is dependent on the speed and quality of
your internet connection. Most broadband internet service has enough to
support Nextera service which requires at least 90 kbps upstream and
downstream connection speed.
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Do I have to speak through the
computer to use the service?
No. You speak through your standard touchtone
phone connected to the Nextera Phone Adapter.
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Do I need my computer turned on
to talk on the phone?
No. Nextera service works independently from
your computer and does not need to be turned on when using the serice. You
do need to have a broadband internet connection.
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Can I use my computer and talk
on the phone at the same time?
Yes. Nextera service works independently from
your computer, so you can make and receive calls while surfing the
web.
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Do the people I call need Nextera
service or some type of VoIP Service?
No. You can call anyone, anytime, and at any
phone number using Nextera service. It will be transparent to the party
you are calling although we do hope that you let them know!
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What types of telephones work
with Nextera?
Any standard corded or wireless touchtone phone
can be used with Nextera service. Nextera recommends using an expandable
cordless phone system. This allows you to plug the base unit into the
phone adapter and to set the extra handsets in other rooms. If you choose
to add a second line rather than converting your existing phone number, a
2-line phone is needed.
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Can I use multiple phones with
Nextera?
There are four ways to plug multiple extensions
into your Phone Adapter:
- Many Nextera customers use cordless phone
systems that come with a base unit and extra handsets. The base station
of the cordless telephone plugs directly into the phone adapter.
Multiple handsets can be placed anywhere in the house.
- You can purchase a multi-line adapter jack
and then connect it to phone port 1 of the phone adapter. This will
allow you to have multiple phones on a single Nextera line. These
adapters can be found at retail locations that sell telephone
accessories.
- You can purchase wireless phone jacks. The
base unit connects to the phone adapter and the wireless jacks plug into
your household electrical outlets. A telephone connects to the wireless
jack. Please note that only the phone attached to the base unit will
display caller ID information. Although wireless phone jacks may
establish multiple phone extensions, you may periodically experience
dropped calls on the extension phones and an inability to talk on more
than one phone at a time. Wireless phone jack equipment is available at
retail locations that sell telephone accessories.
- Some of our customers have pluggeed the
phone adapter directly into the existing telephone wiring in their homes
attempting to distribute Nextera service to all existing phone jacks
throughout the house. The manufacturer of the adapter does not recommend
hooking anything to the adapter other than a telephone. Nextera suggests
seeking advice from an electrician or someone who is familiar with
internal telephone wiring on how to best connect it to your current
wiring to take advantage of multiple extensions. We would advise that
you pre-check the wiring on the jacks to make sure you don't have live
PSTN voltage on the jacks before connecting them to the phone adapter
(this can be easily done by using a line tester). Any damage resulting
from practices contrary to manufacturer's recommendations for the phone
adapter will not be covered by warranty.
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How does the sound quality
compare to my current phone service?
You'll find the quality as good if not better.
Because signals are sent and received over the Internet, the quality may
well exceed what you currently get from your traditional service. You may
experience a few hiccups in sound quality if your broadband connection is
slower than normal or if your bandwidth is stretched with additional data
(due to sending and receiving large files from your PC at the same time).
3-way calling may also cause some disruptions in your broadband speed if
not at least 180 kbps.
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Can I use my traditional phone
service if I sign up for Nextera?
Yes. You can choose to retain your regular phone
service since Nextera operates through your broadband connection and does
not affect your traditional phone service. However, once you realize the
great service, value, and savings from Nextera, you may want to convert
your existing phone number to Nextera as well.
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Can I keep my current phone number with
Nextera?
Yes. In most cases, if
Nextera's network is in your area, we can transfer your existing number to
our service (United States only). Link here to Check if Your Number Can Be
Transferred
.
However, if you are a DSL
subscriber, you must keep your existing phone number to maintain a
high-speed connection which is necessary for Nextera service. If you
have DSL, we would suggest either transferring your DSL service to another
phone line with your current provider or you can switch to Cable internet
(if available) instead of DSL.
Transferring your number will take a minimum of 10-14 days once you
start the transfer process. We will need a Letter of Authorization and a bill
from your current provider to transfer your number. When your number
is transferred, we'll inform you via email and your number will be
transferred seamlessly.
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What area codes are
available?
There are many locations throughout the United States
available to choose from. Link here to Check
Availability.
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Can I get a phone number from another
country?
At this time, Nextera is offering phone numbers
within the United States only. Keep checking as we are routinely expanding
phone number selections.
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Can I use my answering machine
with Nextera?
Yes. Answering machines do work with Nextera
service. Nextera recommends using Voicemail or Unified Call Messaging for
greater flexibility and functionality.
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Can I use my fax machine with
Nextera?
With Nextera, you can add a fax line for $9.95
per month with an activation fee of $9.95. You receive 100 minutes of
local and long distance outgoing faxes and unlimited incoming faxes each
month. Additional local and long distance outgoing fax minutes are only
3.5 cents per minute.
Nextera
Fax Service works with all brands of fax machines. Your fax line
will have its own unique phone number -- you can track your activity
online via MyNextera OnLine Account Manager.
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Is Nextera service Apple Macintosh
compatible?
Yes. Your Nextera service and MyNextera OnLine
Account Manager is accessible via any web browser 4.x and higher and from
any Internet connection.
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Can I use Nextera with a home
alarm system or emergency response service
company?
You may connect any
telephone communication device to your Nextera phone adapter. However, Nextera recommends
that you keep a traditional phone line for a home alarm or
personal emergency response device. Remember, Nextera service depends on your Internet
connection and electric power. If the connection is down or power is not
available, you will not be able to make or receive calls, nor will your
alarm system. Please consult with a qualified alarm system technician
before connecting your alarm system to a Nextera line.
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Can I use an IP phone or Phone
Adapter that I purchased elsewhere?
No. At this time, Nextera's VoIP service will
only operate with the phone adapter that we provide when you sign up for
service.
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Will my Nextera service work
when I have a power outage?
No. Nextera service, including 911 dialing, does
not function during an electrical power outage or broadband provider
outage. While you cannot control a power outage which disrupts the
broadband Internet service, Nextera recommends an uninterruptible power
supply (UPS) to continue to provide AC power to the cable/DSL modem, phone
adapter and the cordless phone base station. A UPS can be purchased at a
retail center which sells electronics.
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