What's the least expensive CallCentric plan with E911?
MikeP:
I want to use my ObiTalk with Google Voice as my primary, and Callcentric as my secondary, for 911 use only. I want to minimize my monthly CallCentric costs. I've read a lot of recommendations for this scheme, and they all seem to specify about $3 out of pocket a month, and a $1.50 setup fee. Here's one recommendation from this site, from back in April: http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=3112.0
I can't find a combination of services on CallCentric's site that would give me this, though. I see the North America 500: $7/mo with 911. The no-monthly-fee Pay Per Call plan says "No" in the 911 support box, but that "No" has an odd footnote: "911 cost recovery fee required for US and Canada customers". I see DID plans for $3/mo, which seem to require an extra 911 recovery fee, which might be tied to the footnote, above. Then there's free NY phone numbers, which also seem to require a 911 recovery fee.
I notice that CallCentric redid their rate plans in May. Did that break my plans? Is the secret the free phone numbers, which invokes a 911 recovery fee, which kicks in 911 support from the Pay Per Call plan? I'm all confused.
Ostracus:
The free incoming NY number with E911 is $1.50.
flex25:
Mike, it's a little confusing how Callcentric structures their fees. The NA 500 is an outbound calling plan; the free NY phone number and $2.95/mo Dirt Cheap DID are phone numbers for inbound calling. If you want both outbound and inbound calling, you need to sign up for both of them separately.
For 911 only, you can get a free NY phone number or a Dirt Cheap DID and add 911 service. I believe the cost would be $1.50 set up and $1.50/mo (which is the recovery fee) (for the free number) or $4.45/mo (for the Dirt Cheap DID). This would give you an inbound number with unlimited inbound calling and 911 service.
You can add a pay per call option or a calling plan for outbound calling if you want that. Their calling plans with minutes, like the NA 500, include 911 fees in them.
carl:
I have this set up- 2 GV , one Localphone and one Callcentric. You can easily configure your Obi 202 to route all 911 calls through Callcentric.
The set up fee for 911 is $ 1.50 plus 1.50 per month, which means that the first charge will be $ 3.- which is just about the only confusing thing.
The NYC incoming numbers are free indeed- with unlimited incoming minutes. For outgoing calls, the best thing for you is what I did - pay per minute outgoing plan. You also can sign up for free Voice mail.
Callcentric is far more than just 911. Way more reliable than Google Voice ( and most other VOIP) and better call quality. You can also do things like 3 o 4 way calling. And while the international calling rates are higher than Localphone's, there are a few which are actually lower and one of them I will be using.
For 1.50/month, it us a great deal.
MikeP:
Thanks all. I ordered a free number, and I see a $3 fee for 911 recovery. I'm hearing from you all that that fee will drop to $1.50 a month (though I'd survive paying $3/mo too).
I'm new to the SIP VOIP world, having previously used only my cable provider's VOIP services (soon to be dropped) and Google Voice. I plan to use Google Voice in the main, if only because I've had a GV number for years, and the New York free number may confuse folks. I'll experiment, though, with the Pay Per Call plan.
I do wonder how providers like Callcentric make any money off me, for $1.50 a month, much of which I imagine goes to regulators. Is there some sweetheart deal with the NY telcos, given that Callcentric is based in NY? Or less cynically, it could be a loss-leader plan, I suppose.
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