Here comes a massive info bomb...
Insanity, I know you've posted there, but you really should read back over
the first seven posts of the Superguide that Naners linked. I figure it's safe to assume you haven't actually read them because of your choice in VoIP provider and the mention of FIOS. This is exactly why I try to maintain a list of good, solid, frugal options for these services with the ability to get a good ROI making the switch. (Ooma and FIOS both aren't on that list for that very reason, by the way.)
For the sake of simplicity for you, I'll condense all the relevant links you need to better prepare for this stuff. Get comfortable, you've got a lot of reading... but persevere as it'll be worth it in the end.
You're on the right track with some stuff, but you're off with some others. One of the biggest is
Ooma (as I pointed out), and doing the math on it
in relation to real VoIP providers really shows how bad the numbers are on ROI with the service, especially given how stripped down their service is in relation to other full-serviced VoIP providers like VOIPo.
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/communications-tech-isps-voip-cell/msg47654/#msg47654https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/landline-simplest-most-mustachian-solution/msg66868/#msg66868The Superguide covers the general topic of
VoIP providers:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/communications-tech-isps-voip-cell/msg2715/#msg2715Have a guide for doing
VoIP phone service in the home:
http://www.techmeshugana.com/2013/04/voip-and-the-return-of-the-home-phone/Do you have a laptop that you can hook up to the television? If you do,
you don't need to spend money on an HTPC up front to see if streaming media can replace your cable habit. Just detach the cable box, connect the laptop, and force yourselves to watch TV through streaming only content providers as there's not much available through a media box that you can't also access through a full fledged computer. You could even do this with a desktop for a bit if you're willing to be slightly less comfortable for a week of entertainment vegging... or if you have an Android tablet, you can try it from there as well. It might be a bit inconvenient not having a remote or anything and staring at a smaller screen, but it'll be a starting point. If it works? You're golden, and you didn't spend a dime to trial run it. If you want to get a dedicated HTPC from there, you can then move onto this:
http://www.techmeshugana.com/2013/09/ask-daley-entertainment-on-the-cheap/Remember, you don't need HD video to enjoy entertainment.
SD video can stream plenty well with a 3Mbps connection. HD can run over 6Mbps, but it'll be tight.
Don't bother with FIOS, you'll lose access to cheaper DSL access and you'll inescapably lock yourself into more expensive internet service than you need to pay between a FIOS and Comcast duopoly. The Superguide (again) covers this:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/communications-tech-isps-voip-cell/msg2717/#msg2717As to the whole Ting thing (or possibly choosing any other MVNO)? Have a
wireless ROI calculator designed for just such an occasion:
http://www.techmeshugana.com/tools/wirelessroi.htmlAlso, give this a read regarding
smartphones when you're shopping for a new handset:
http://www.techmeshugana.com/2013/01/are-iphones-worth-it/Finally, if you're considering having to invest in all new handset equipment anyway due to the Sprint iPhone, what other wireless providers in the area offers good coverage? If AT&T or T-Mobile offers good coverage,
it might be worth considering jumping over to a GSM provider instead of Ting. The Superguide covers this as well:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/communications-tech-isps-voip-cell/msg2714/#msg2714You research and make the right choices in the first place, you shouldn't have to worry about any return on investment taking more than a few months as they'll be well researched, solid choices... and the ones that do? You'll be better prepared to answer if the savings is enough to pursue from that point, because you'll have more solid numbers going in.