(please keep this on track)

I was looking at setting up my own personal PBX system here using Asterisk (opensource PBX software for linux)
But it seems like the providers are kind of expensive.. the ones you connect to through your connection.. I don't get why they charge 30/month with a 2yr contract just to get 2,000 minutes, and 1.9 cents for every minute on long distance calls.. seems to defeat the purpose of VOIP or Sip/trunk.

But anyways.. I don't really wanna do comcast, I am not a big fan of that company at all. So does anyone have any other suggestions for phone service that would allow me unlimited calling nation wide with Canada (prefered)
that isn't insanely expensive?

Also what are some necessities you have as a home business owner? Software, hardware etc etc.. I really need a client management software so I can organize who I need to call and when I need to call them. Things like that.

Any suggestions would be awesome!

thanks!

 

Although this VOIP service seems to be really good
https://63.211.239.6/newaccount/?r=&cp=

45/month, unlimited nationwide/canada/mexico
free 800 number, up to 4 calls at once between inbound/outbound