The route an Obie/Google Voice call takes
Lateralg:
I'll be presenting the features of Obie to a group of ~100 very active senior citizens. Their interest is in saving $$ while getting quality and reliable phone communication. Many of them are technically savvy, many can't spell VOIP. I'm a retired BSME with knowledge somewhere between the two.
An important piece of information is the route a phone call takes. I need information that would allow me to construct a flow chart showing each step, each service, each device, that's involved from the time a caller dials, to the time a callee (??) answers. If the ensuing conversation takes a different route, what would that route be?
RonR:
OBi Device Administration Guide
Stewart:
Quote from: Lateralg on February 06, 2012, 04:12:58 pm
I'll be presenting the features of Obie to a group of ~100 very active senior citizens.
I wouldn't touch that project with a ten-foot pole. Elderly people need reliable access to 911 and other emergency services. Though you would of course set up their OBi devices with CallCentric or another reliable provider for 911, any failure of equipment, power, Internet service or VoIP provider would prevent a 911 call from going through. With a group that large, there is a significant probability of that happening, especially since a person not technically savvy may take a long time to recognize a problem or get it corrected.
If someone died or ended up in a vegetative state as a result of being unable to reach 911, it would weigh on my conscience for the rest of my life. Possibly, one of their kids would sue. In addition to risks associated with emergencies, you will likely be inundated with support calls from clueless users.
In most places, one can get "lifeline", "basic", "low-use" or "measured" landline service for low cost, especially if they qualify as low-income. If the landline includes unlimited local calling, you can call through Google Voice to get free long distance and good international rates. If not, you can make free calls by using the Call button on the GV site. Of course, you can also make and receive calls with Gmail.
An OBi110, backed up with a lifeline landline, may be a good choice. Make sure that the bypass works (you can access the landline when the OBi has no power) and that 911 calls are properly routed to the landline; see RonR's post http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=34.msg14280#msg14280 .
If you really want to go without a landline, make sure that your "customers" have suitable backup. For example, they should keep their cell phone charger at bedside and put the phone on charge every night. There should be a plan for a third option, appropriate to their living situation (neighbor, doorman, cellular-based panic button, etc.)
RonR:
Quote from: Stewart on February 06, 2012, 06:11:54 pm
Make sure that the bypass works (you can access the landline when the OBi has no power)
Recent reports are that the OBi hardware revision currently being shipped does not contain the fail-safe relay. Consequently, any telephones connected to it are totally inoperative when the OBi has no power.
Stewart:
Quote from: RonR on February 06, 2012, 06:20:53 pm
Recent reports are that the OBi hardware revision currently being shipped does not contain the fail-safe relay. Consequently, any telephones connected to it are totally inoperative when the OBi has no power.
I saw those posts, but was hoping that there was just a few defective units. Intentionally omitting the relay sounds like a lawsuit ready to happen. I just noticed that the manual now says "Logical FXS to FXO Relay For Service Continuity in Case of VoIP Service Failure", but I doubt that even that functionality is reliable -- there are many reasons why a device could be successfully registered but an outbound call won't work.
For the OP: a conservative approach is to keep a line-powered, corded phone, connected directly to the landline. Of course, you won't be able to make GV calls or access other OBi functions from that phone.
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