Just discovered that Google Voice isn't going to be available...
Any suggestions on a replacement VOIP provider? A lot of people might be interested in the near future.
There is no 'best' one. There are many to choose from with all varying prices, call routing, feature set etc. So you are going to get numerous recommendations which you'll have to evaluate for yourself.
Good luck.
I certainly am interested in the answer. My browsing in this forum returns a few commons: callcentric, anveo, voip.ms, localphone, and callwithus.
From the US point of view, localphone seems to be the cheapest at .5 c us outgoing rate, while the rest is around 1c. Callcentric seems to be the most expensive at 2c, though they do provide free incoming DID.
I have not used any of the services (and do not plan to till May 2014) to know more about call quality and reliability. Hopefully some others in the forum can give us more insight ...
I'll throw my 2 cents worth in. I've tried just about all of the ones you mentioned. Used Callcentric for about two years. Your observation that they may be slightly more expensive may be correct. However, for ease of setting up I don't think they can be beat. You can choose pay-as-you go or a package deal. If you take a package 911 is included. If not, it is $1.50 per month. Call quality and reliability are both good.
If you don't care about 911 CallWithUs seems to have good call quailty. I haven't used them enough to determine reliability. They are strictly pay-as-you-go [outbound] but you pay zero each month except for the calls you make. I plan on using them for outbound sometime in the future.
I recently set up with Anveo. There is no question they have lots of features but you may find their web page and setting up your service to be daunting. Call quality seems very good. I'll be able to make a better judgement after I use it for 90 days.
I tried LocalPhone, Voip.MS, and two or 3 others and didn't find the service to be acceptable.
Just my observations.
My views.
I have paid accounts at Callcentric, Voip.ms and an unpaid account set up at Anveo.
Price wise: Voip.ms seems to me to be the cheapest.
Easiest website and set up: Callcentric
Support: All offer pretty good support, although in my case Voip.ms went the extra mile and really helped me with issues I was having on all voip accounts, whereas Callcentric couldn't help with the issues.
I was going to pay for an account at Anveo, but their features and terminology and especially their website left me thoroughly confused. Shouldn't be that hard?
I've been told that Anveo is geared toward the business community. Maybe they're smarter in the business community. :)
Voip.ms is offering free porting and their prices are excellent. Their website was a little tricky at first but after using it for awhile I am not having any problems with it.
Callcentric as I noted has the easiest website to navigate and the features are pretty easy to figure out. Their support while very fast, was not always effective, at least not in my case.
Their prices and porting fees are not as competitive as the others and when I tried to get Callcentric to match some of what the other providers were offering, I was told that they were unable to do so.
With Voip.ms I found that they will work with you in most cases, so in that regard, they are more flexible than Callcentric.
Bottom line: All providers are dirt cheap in my opinion, and support is pretty good as well. Heck, try a few different ones like I have and then you will be better able to make a decision.
Good luck...................
And with every OBi you can use more than one provider.
The OBi1x0 boxes have two fully functional primary provider 'slots' while the OBi20x have four slots. However both devices also have voice groups that can be easily configured to route outgoing calls thru other SIP providers so long as two simple conditions are met. 1) you have a standard SIP provider configured in a standard slot, 2) the additional SIP provider does not require the OBi to register in order to make calls.
For example, you might configure callcentric or anveo as primary providers and use localphone as an additional. You can force a call to go out with the provider of your choice, or set up digit maps or routes to automatically select based on the call destination (and still override if desired). All the information has been posted elsewhere in these forums.
The providers are cheap if you don't make many calls. In my case, my 70-year-old mom is on the phone easily more than 1 hours each day. So at around 2000 minutes plus per month, it will be around $20 even at 1c per minute. With callcentric 2c rate, it will be $40. I might as well go back to AT&T. I am hoping that localphone is good enough so that I can pay their $5 per month package for 5000 minute, though I am concern about call quality (not really care about features or how easily to navigate the provider website).
Thanks for all the informative input so far ... You are all a great help to the community.
If you have older parents, and they have limited income, you can probably get a "Lifeline" rate for a local POTS line
My mom has a Cox bundle, and pays about $5 - $10 a month for the phone part (no long distance)
For free Long distance calling I set up local GrandCentral #'s that forward to all the kids.
After May 2014, she can use a calling card or Onesuite to call LD
there is no such thing like a " best provider". It always depends on your needs. As far as performance/cost ratio, I think that Localphone is the clear winner. However, will not work for everyone. You want to retrieve your voice mail from a remote phone/cell phone? Cannot be done. 3 way call? Nope. Most star code features? Will not work.
There is about a dozen of very good providers and you have to pick one or two or more to fit your needs. I use Localphone and Callcentric and for the time being GV.
Quote from: gderf on November 07, 2013, 02:36:07 PM
There is no 'best' one. There are many to choose from with all varying prices, call routing, feature set etc. So you are going to get numerous recommendations which you'll have to evaluate for yourself.
Good luck.
Thanks. I guess I was interested in the things that you can't quantify, reliability, tech support, that sort of thing.
Quote from: CmdrWestside on November 09, 2013, 04:47:57 AM
Thanks. I guess I was interested in the things that you can't quantify, reliability, tech support, that sort of thing.
Reputable providers- Whether it is Localphone, Callcentric, VOIP.ms, Voxbeam, Anveo, Callwithus, Vitelity, Future nine or some others- have per definition a high degree of reliability and a good to excellent customer service.
Quote from: carl on November 08, 2013, 05:41:58 PM
there is no such thing like a " best provider". It always depends on your needs. As far as performance/cost ratio, I think that Localphone is the clear winner. However, will not work for everyone. You want to retrieve your voice mail from a remote phone/cell phone? Cannot be done. 3 way call? Nope. Most star code features? Will not work.
There is about a dozen of very good providers and you have to pick one or two or more to fit your needs. I use Localphone and Callcentric and for the time being GV.
Yes, localphone is the cheapest, but their performance is my big concern, especially after reading review such as these:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews260147.html
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as is "reputable", "reliable" and other adjectives.
Last year Callcentric was down more than it was up for a few months due to attacks it was unable to deal with for way too long. Then, when the big storm hit everyone realized that they didn't have generators or a co-located data center, so when the building's generators went out in NYC, they were down.
Not to mention their 911 partner's database got corrupted earlier in 2012 and 911 calls for some didn't reference the right info.
I ran for the exit after the storm. That's not "reputable" or "reliable" IMHO, but that's just my opinion.
Quote from: sunmercury on November 09, 2013, 10:21:25 PM
Yes, localphone is the cheapest, but their performance is my big concern, especially after reading review such as these:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews260147.html
That's a perfect example of fraudulent reviews made by competitors. If you want to see a different picture, go to DSL reports and check out the Localphone reviews there. One of them is from me. The fact that Localphone received an Industry award for best VOIP company on consumer level in the UK should be one sign that they are not that bad. But more importantly, I have been using them now for 2 years an after some hick ups in the first month, their performance for the last 18 months was stellar. Especially my western European DID's have a land line quality. Yes, they have their limitations and yes, their termination in certain Asian locations is not great, but for my North American/European calling I can give them 5 stars. i would not use them if Ii had issues with them.
Quote from: Rick on November 10, 2013, 03:27:54 PM
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as is "reputable", "reliable" and other adjectives.
Last year Callcentric was down more than it was up for a few months due to attacks it was unable to deal with for way too long. Then, when the big storm hit everyone realized that they didn't have generators or a co-located data center, so when the building's generators went out in NYC, they were down.
Not to mention their 911 partner's database got corrupted earlier in 2012 and 911 calls for some didn't reference the right info.
I ran for the exit after the storm. That's not "reputable" or "reliable" IMHO, but that's just my opinion.
Yes, Callcentric's geographic redundancy is a big issue and indeed what happened last year made me to lower my reliability rating significantly. But their customer service is very good and since the woes of last year, I had only one issue with them regarding a certain international termination which did not work properly.
e-911 service is generally of a questionable value and for $ 1.50 overpriced but their free NYC DID is awesome and I am happy to have them as a second provider.
I think I will be going with netTALK Duo. Basically $30/yr plus tax for unlimited calls in US and Canada. That I understand. Just have Google Voice number ring netTALK Duo. I have looked at the various VOIP services and they are not easy to decipher. I don't think any of them would cost me less than $2.50/ month. I love my obi with Google voice. I hope they find a work around so I won't have to put this plan into action.
How about unlimited calling to US/Canada for $39.99/year total cost with your OBi?
And yes, you can forward your GV number and set it as your outgoing CallerID.
Quote from: gderf on January 19, 2014, 07:27:15 PM
How about unlimited calling to US/Canada for $39.99/year total cost with your OBi?
And yes, you can forward your GV number and set it as your outgoing CallerID.
If you are referring to the announced Obihai offer, it clearly states "a set-number of outbound calling minutes", not unlimited. If you know of a deal at $40/year for unlimited outbound minutes, post it, you'll be very popular.
Quote from: kallsop on January 21, 2014, 04:45:40 AM
Quote from: gderf on January 19, 2014, 07:27:15 PM
How about unlimited calling to US/Canada for $39.99/year total cost with your OBi?
And yes, you can forward your GV number and set it as your outgoing CallerID.
If you are referring to the announced Obihai offer, it clearly states "a set-number of outbound calling minutes", not unlimited. If you know of a deal at $40/year for unlimited outbound minutes, post it, you'll be very popular.
obivoice is what you are looking for.
Check www.pingshow.net. They can offer $40 per year with unlimited call in US & CANADA for GV numbers. Email to support@pingshow.net for more information.
Quote from: kallsop on January 21, 2014, 04:45:40 AM
Quote from: gderf on January 19, 2014, 07:27:15 PM
How about unlimited calling to US/Canada for $39.99/year total cost with your OBi?
And yes, you can forward your GV number and set it as your outgoing CallerID.
If you are referring to the announced Obihai offer, it clearly states "a set-number of outbound calling minutes", not unlimited. If you know of a deal at $40/year for unlimited outbound minutes, post it, you'll be very popular.
I do. It's called Obivoice.com and it has been discussed heavily here. Look around some.
Quote from: sunmercury on November 08, 2013, 09:50:23 AM
... In my case, my 70-year-old mom is on the phone easily more than 1 hours each day...
I'm not affiliated with anybody mentioned, however, after doing a little math here is what I come up with, and correct me if I am wrong...
LocalPhone 5,000 minutes @ $5.00 per month = .1 cents per minute
5,000 minutes / 30 days = 166 2/3 minutes per day, or 2.78 hours per day for $5.00,
so if your mom talked over 8 hours per day, every day, your bill would be only $15/mo.
Quote from: gderf on January 22, 2014, 05:12:21 PM
I do. It's called Obivoice.com and it has been discussed heavily here. Look around some.
They just raise the price slightly higher today.
$40/year became 2000 mins/month. Still works for me though.
Anyone tried it? How about the call quality?
I have been using the trial for 12 days. No problems and the call quality is excellent.
Any recommendations from the common VoIP services for someone who is reasonably technical with priorities of performance, reliability, and features more so than extremely cheap calling? I don't need unlimited talk and would initially prefer a package of minutes or monthly per-use billing.
CallCentric. Clear pricing with good choices. Lots of easy to set up features if you want or need to use them. If you don't, standard voice mail is still available [no extra charge] with no setup on your part what so ever.
Quote from: KAura on January 22, 2014, 06:08:36 PM
LocalPhone 5,000 minutes @ $5.00 per month = .1 cents per minute
5,000 minutes / 30 days = 166 2/3 minutes per day, or 2.78 hours per day for $5.00,
so if your mom talked over 8 hours per day, every day, your bill would be only $15/mo.
Doesn't work like that.
After using all the minutes allowed for your subscription, Localphone charges their normal rate (e.g. US48 at 0.5cents/minute). I don't know any way to buy multiple subscriptions.
Quote from: DeviantKhan on January 24, 2014, 09:29:13 AM
Any recommendations from the common VoIP services for someone who is reasonably technical with priorities of performance, reliability, and features more so than extremely cheap calling? I don't need unlimited talk and would initially prefer a package of minutes or monthly per-use billing.
Anveo seems to me to have all the features and their graphical call-flow programming allows a lot of customization. Pay for use for outgoing. Incoming is unlimited for $2 (personal) or $4 (business) per month or pay for use (I don't know but might have a few minutes included as part of the basic (free) or enhanced ($/month) features). Add $0.80/month for E911 (required for outgoing calls if US/Canada resident).
Quote from: sdb- on January 27, 2014, 04:43:44 PM
After using all the minutes allowed for your subscription, Localphone charges their normal rate (e.g. US48 at 0.5cents/minute). I don't know any way to buy multiple subscriptions.
Within a family, no problem, as long as everyone has his own ATA.
Quote from: sdb- on January 27, 2014, 04:50:00 PM
Anveo seems to me to have all the features and their graphical call-flow programming allows a lot of customization. Pay for use for outgoing. Incoming is unlimited for $2 (personal) or $4 (business) per month or pay for use (I don't know but might have a few minutes included as part of the basic (free) or enhanced ($/month) features). Add $0.80/month for E911 (required for outgoing calls if US/Canada resident).
Anveo rates are not intuitive. Where do you get the unlimited incoming for $2 from?
Quote from: AlanB on January 27, 2014, 07:38:40 PM
Quote from: sdb- on January 27, 2014, 04:50:00 PM
Anveo seems to me to have all the features and their graphical call-flow programming allows a lot of customization. Pay for use for outgoing. Incoming is unlimited for $2 (personal) or $4 (business) per month or pay for use (I don't know but might have a few minutes included as part of the basic (free) or enhanced ($/month) features). Add $0.80/month for E911 (required for outgoing calls if US/Canada resident).
Anveo rates are not intuitive. Where do you get the unlimited incoming for $2 from?
You would need the Anveo Free subscription package
https://www.anveo.com/consumer/service.asp (https://www.anveo.com/consumer/service.asp)
Then you need an Anveo Free "Personal" unlimited number which if you follow the chart to the bottom by United States you see column two with $2.00.
https://www.anveo.com/consumer/mainphonenumbers.asp (https://www.anveo.com/consumer/mainphonenumbers.asp)
I'm currently on that plan with 2 OBI's, one for me and one for my mom. Once I get a full month of use I'll get a better sense of the costs. It is complicated to find the actual numbers ahead of time, but from my checking I think I'll end up about the same as say at Callcentric with their prepay plans.
Quote from: sdb- on January 27, 2014, 04:43:44 PM
Doesn't work like that.
After using all the minutes allowed for your subscription, Localphone charges their normal rate (e.g. US48 at 0.5cents/minute). I don't know any way to buy multiple subscriptions.
WOW!! They just lost my business.
Quote from: MikeHObi on January 28, 2014, 09:48:47 AM
You would need the Anveo Free subscription package
https://www.anveo.com/consumer/service.asp (https://www.anveo.com/consumer/service.asp)
Then you need an Anveo Free "Personal" unlimited number which if you follow the chart to the bottom by United States you see column two with $2.00.
https://www.anveo.com/consumer/mainphonenumbers.asp (https://www.anveo.com/consumer/mainphonenumbers.asp)
Thanks. I use Anveo for 911, but now I've also got 911 with a Callcentric DID that I got to get Caller ID with name since GV didn't have it. Anveo or Callcentric are my frontrunners right now for switching from GV. But, I'll wait and see what Obhai is waiting to unvail in their blog. Thanks again.
Quote from: tw18 on January 22, 2014, 04:52:46 PM
Check www.pingshow.net. They can offer $40 per year with unlimited call in US & CANADA for GV numbers. Email to support@pingshow.net for more information.
In anticipation of seeing obihai announcing perhaps their own new voip service or announcements of 3rd party official obihai partners, I found this post interesting for the following similarities between PingShow Inc and obihai. These two companies are less than 9 miles from each other (https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=1025+S.+De+Anza+Blvd.+San+Jose,+CA&daddr=2105+S.+Bascom+Avenue+Campbell,+CA+95008&hl=en&ll=37.244678,-121.96249&spn=0.038809,0.055189&sll=37.305737,-121.929016&sspn=0.155111,0.220757&geocode=FclKOQIdBO-5-CnBreV2BLWPgDG3WVUxR5YdZA%3BFUntOAId_HW7-CkFALgI6TSOgDEpwav8Krnd1g&mra=ls&t=m&z=14). I wonder if there is any affiliation between them.
Obihai Technology, Inc.
2105 S. Bascom Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
pingshow.net (Airetalk)
1025 S. De Anza Blvd. San Jose, CA
Other similarities between them:
PingShow founded in 2010 with headquarters in Cupertino, California ( http://www.pingshow.net/aboutus.htm )
The first blog post I read about obihai: Obihai Technology, a tiny Cupertino start-up, this month brought to market its first product, the OBi110 (http://www.cultofmac.com/64614/obi110-consumer-voip-is-getting-social/) (20 Oct 2010)
OBi110 product announcement 20 Oct 2010 ( http://obihai.com/press )
Quote from: KAura on January 28, 2014, 10:00:28 AM
Quote from: sdb- on January 27, 2014, 04:43:44 PM
Doesn't work like that.
After using all the minutes allowed for your subscription, Localphone charges their normal rate (e.g. US48 at 0.5cents/minute). I don't know any way to buy multiple subscriptions.
WOW!! They just lost my business.
Keep in mind those rates are for outbound. Inbound is free. I would personally contact support if I wanted a bigger bucket of outbound minutes. I'm sure they could accommodate you.
Just signed up for ObiVoice. If this works as well as it appears, they nailed it. It looks like a great value and simple to understand. I've been looking for Google Voice replacement and checking out the low cost ITSP's. They might be good but its pretty difficult to understand the product and estimate the cost (I really only wanted to spend $5/month or less).
One thing I'm really optimistic about is the ObiTalk app. I'm also really cheap with my cell phone bill and I was disappointed that GV rolled over for the Cell providers and uses minutes when it could be using WiFi. The Obi app will use wifi and no minutes.
I haven't really tested it yet so this post is a bit premature but I'm optimistic...
I've never used the OBiTalk app, but everything I've ever read on this forum is that it's not very good and prone to lockups.
I used obion and 3cx soft phone on my laptop when traveling, and it always worked well