.TEL domains are great and serve a purpose (to use as a mini-directory of links and also for your contact info).
They are not to replace .COMs or other TLDs, or for pointing to your web page content. They can be used for E-mail however (a newer feature) and allow you to specify DNS MX (E-mail) records, so you can use most any E-mail service with your .TEL domain.
I use Google Apps to host my .TEL domain's E-mail. Instructions here on how to setup Google Apps E-mail for your .TEL:
https://sites.google.com/a/haussmann.tel/how-to-setup-google-apps-with-a-telnic-domain/
.TELs for domain investors may or may not work, but I have several, and am happy with them. They are not designed primarily to be monetized by ads though.
For about $10/year at some registrars (like Dynadot), you get your domain registration, DNS hosted including optional MX records for E-mail use, plus free hosting and site design for your information and contact page(s). I believe this is a good deal.
See an example of how I use my lastname.tel for an informational/links/about page at:
http://woeger.tel