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Callcentric and Google Voice Setup Guide (with CNAM)

Started by pc44, July 11, 2012, 11:10:47 AM

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dan19936

Just completed this setup with Google Voice and Callcentric free phone number. Took a bit as I didn't understand that I needed to keep GV as SP1 and add Callcentric as SP2. Also thought I would share information I couldn't find anywhere else:

I tested 933 and confirmed emergency address but it reported a strange phone number that when tested did not answer. Callcentric explained the following: (I redacted the 'hidden' phone number 1631xxxXXXX).

QuoteWith regards to the number that you've mentioned as well as how we've implemented 911, for every client that has at least one service and has stated that they will be using our services within the US/Canada, will have a "hidden" phone number associated under their account, specifically used for 911 services -- this is just in the event that if you ONLY have an outbound service under your account, you can still receive inbound calls from the emergency service center). This is also necessary given you acquire multiple numbers from us, and/or switch out numbers (canceling/ adding numbers) on your account, you still have at least 1 number dedicated for 911.

Please note that you will not be able to receive regular inbound calls through this hidden phone number; this phone number is only accessible given if you have dialed 911 and the call happens to disconnect abruptly; emergency services has a means of contacting you back through that number. So when you do call 911, emergency services should see the hidden phone number as your caller ID (from our records; we are showing that the hidden number assigned under your account already is 1631xxxXXXX). So given if your call towards 911 does abruptly drop, they will be able to contact you, via the number 1631xxxXXXX

DarkOptix

I was having the most difficult time getting it all set up. 

Combined with OP info and this tutorial from CC:

https://www.callcentric.com/support/device/obihai/obi202

and a leap of faith I finally got it working.

Major problem was I have SP1 Google Voice, SP2 Anveo E911, and SP3 CC.

Under profiles I did not realize I had to change the X_ServProvProfile to C which is where all Callcentric configurations are entered.

Once I did this presto.  Hopefully this helps someone. 

Seems like Anveo E911 and CC are redundant but oh well I can just cancel Anveo next year.


SteveInWA

Quote from: DarkOptix on August 29, 2016, 02:41:35 PM
I was having the most difficult time getting it all set up. 

Combined with OP info and this tutorial from CC:

https://www.callcentric.com/support/device/obihai/obi202

and a leap of faith I finally got it working.

Major problem was I have SP1 Google Voice, SP2 Anveo E911, and SP3 CC.

Under profiles I did not realize I had to change the X_ServProvProfile to C which is where all Callcentric configurations are entered.

Once I did this presto.  Hopefully this helps someone. 

Seems like Anveo E911 and CC are redundant but oh well I can just cancel Anveo next year.



If you had used the OBiTALK web portal, you could have simply clicked on SP3, then scrolled down to the bottom of the page, clicked on the link for other service providers, then clicked Callcentric.  The portal handles setting everything up correctly from that point.  The portal will allow you to click boxes to select which SP is used as the default for outbound calling and/or E911 calling.

Anveo E911 and CC are redundant only if you subscribe to CC's E911 service, at which point you could delete Anveo.

GeekyGal

Quote from: DarkOptix on August 29, 2016, 02:41:35 PM
Under profiles I did not realize I had to change the X_ServProvProfile to C which is where all Callcentric configurations are entered.

Thank you so much. This fixed my problem too. I didn't see any mention of this in any tutorial.

Also, in case it helps anyone else, another problem that I had was that unchecking Google Chat forwarding does not seem to be working in Google Voice at the moment. I can't stop forwarding even to a cell phone. The only way that I was able to do was to edit the Google Chat entry, and choose "Do not ring on weekdays" and "Do not ring on weekends". That did it.

SteveInWA

Quote from: GeekyGal on December 24, 2016, 08:51:55 AM
Quote from: DarkOptix on August 29, 2016, 02:41:35 PM
Under profiles I did not realize I had to change the X_ServProvProfile to C which is where all Callcentric configurations are entered.

Thank you so much. This fixed my problem too. I didn't see any mention of this in any tutorial.

Also, in case it helps anyone else, another problem that I had was that unchecking Google Chat forwarding does not seem to be working in Google Voice at the moment. I can't stop forwarding even to a cell phone. The only way that I was able to do was to edit the Google Chat entry, and choose "Do not ring on weekdays" and "Do not ring on weekends". That did it.

That information is incorrect.  There is no need to change that setting.  After configuring Google Voice on SP1, using the OBiTALK web portal, you then configure SP2, also using the OBiTALK portal, and it will automatically set the correct parameters for SP2, which is not "C".

The information about Google Voice/Chat settings is also incorrect.  OBi devices are Google Chat clients.  Checking or unchecking Google Chat only controls whether or not inbound calls to your Google Voice number are forwarded to the OBi via Chat.  Independently, Google Voice also forwards to up to six regular telephone numbers, such as your cell phone number.  You control the ring or not ring behavior to those other phone numbers, by adding or removing the check marks to the left of THOSE numbers.

Yellowmann

Hello all, I am a newbie to this setup but have been long time reader of this forum before I finally got around to buy and setup my OBI200.  I had GV working with OBI no problem for few days.  Than I questioned about 911 and CNAM and lucky to find this thread.  I just got my free # from CallCentric and set everything up as mentioned in here.  But I have few question about CC.

1) I got the free number and paid $3 for 911 and one time setup fee.  I do not see in my account about the monthly billing of the 911 for $1.50.  Do I need to add my credit card to my account so it auto pays that monthly fee?

2) I activated CNAM in CC but my one cell phone called to my OBI home phone shows the name but my other cell only show the cell number and state but no name.  Is that depending on the phone number? Both cell are to my one account through my cell phone provider.

3) The free CC phone # is that forever or can it go inactive and they take it way if I don't pay for the 911 service?

TIA for your help...

SteveInWA

Quote from: Yellowmann on March 11, 2017, 07:22:06 PM
Hello all, I am a newbie to this setup but have been long time reader of this forum before I finally got around to buy and setup my OBI200.  I had GV working with OBI no problem for few days.  Than I questioned about 911 and CNAM and lucky to find this thread.  I just got my free # from CallCentric and set everything up as mentioned in here.  But I have few question about CC.

Quote
1) I got the free number and paid $3 for 911 and one time setup fee.  I do not see in my account about the monthly billing of the 911 for $1.50.  Do I need to add my credit card to my account so it auto pays that monthly fee?

Yes.  Add some form of payment to your Callcentric account.  Their method of payment is:  you specify some fixed amount of money (e.g. $30) to charge your card.   This then becomes your Callcentric account balance.  They then deduct monthly charges (e.g. 911 fee and/or any per-minute outbound calls you make on their number) from your Callcentric account balance, until that balance falls below some limit, then they charge you another fixed payment, etc.

Quote
2) I activated CNAM in CC but my one cell phone called to my OBI home phone shows the name but my other cell only show the cell number and state but no name.  Is that depending on the phone number? Both cell are to my one account through my cell phone provider.

Yes, that's normal/typical behavior.  CNAM depends on the telephone carrier that hosts your number feeding your name into the data bases (LIDB) used by the carriers.  Some mobile carriers do that, and some don't.  If you port a number into a mobile carrier that doesn't actively feed names, or depends on you to ask them to do that, whatever name was in the LIDB before, may linger in the LIDB, or it might eventually get purged.  Contact your carrier and ask them about it.  If your carrier doesn't feed your name to the LIDB, then some generic substitute will appear, such as "Wireless Caller" or "Newark NJ" or whatever.

Quote
3) The free CC phone # is that forever or can it go inactive and they take it way if I don't pay for the 911 service?

As long as you receive calls on the CC number, it will stay active.  If you stop using it, they'll take it back.  See their site for terms, and any other questions you have regarding their services.

Yellowmann

Thank you Steve for your quick reply. I did find some of my own answer on cc but yours is much easier to understand. Since my gv is forward to cc I don't think I will lose the number.  I was wondering if I forget to pay for 911 if they take the free cc #.

I think this setup will work well for me. Thanks again all for sharing your knowledge.

SteveInWA

Quote
I was wondering if I forget to pay for 911 if they take the free cc #.

No, but of course, you will lose 911 service.  To prevent that, set up a credit card payment method as explained in my last post, and on their web site.

chilirock

Yellowmann, Just adding to what Steve said. It's your decision about whether or not to give CC your credit card number. I decided not to give them my credit card. What I do is submit a one time payment via PayPal which adds to my account balance on CC. Then as Steve mentioned, CC will deduct the $1.50 monthly fee from that balance.

CC will also send you email reminders every month when they deduct funds from the balance. And whenever your account balance is below $10, they will send you an email showing your current balance, and a reminder that the balance is low. I use that reminder email as my reminder for when to go back and add funds via PayPal.

It's your choice which approach you prefer.

Yellowmann

Steve, thanks I just to want to make sure how CC works.

Chilirock, that is exactly what I did was pay with PayPal and set all my reminder to $5 since I'm cheap lol.

Now I'm in the process of canceling my cable to save more $$ since I found other ways for free :)


GoogleFan

Hi,
My first post here. But used your guide several times already, and they helped me a lot. So thanks a ton! God bless you!

Something strange happened since adding cc. When I am on the phone and a get another call, that second call only will have slow connection. Poor clarity, which is funny because the original call is always fine.

Any clue? Is the issue related w CC?

Thanks in advance.

SteveInWA

Quote from: GoogleFan on June 13, 2017, 11:52:45 AM
Hi,
My first post here. But used your guide several times already, and they helped me a lot. So thanks a ton! God bless you!

Something strange happened since adding cc. When I am on the phone and a get another call, that second call only will have slow connection. Poor clarity, which is funny because the original call is always fine.

Any clue? Is the issue related w CC?

Thanks in advance.

No, there is nothing intrinsic to Callcentric nor Google Voice that would cause poor call quality on the second call.

VoIP calls use just under 100Kbps of bandwidth per channel (a "channel" is the virtual connection for each simultaneous call).  If you have terrible quality internet service, and/or you are hosting a web server, torrent, porno website, or people are watching Netflix at the same time, you may be hitting your service's limit.  Without those constraints, on a modern cable or DSL connection, you should be able to have many simultaneous VoIP conversations.

You'll have to troubleshoot this as an internet service issue.

jamesh

#253
Configuring CNAM and 911
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This thread started in 2012 so this post is intended to document a more recent
configuration experience.

I started with gv911 (http://www.gv911.com) for $12 per year.  I got that
working but could not live without inbound caller name so I ended up going
with Callcentric for $30 per year.  Callcentric bills $2.50 a month but they
will maintain an account balance so I prepay them $30 a year to minimize
accounting.

On Mar 1st, 2019 Callcentric started charging more for their service.  Step 1
has been updated to reflect that change.

1. establish a "Dollar Unlimited" CallCentric DID (Direct Inward Dial) phone
  number
  https://www.callcentric.com/dids/dollar_unlimited_phone_number
  Note: Dollar Unlimited is a misnomer.  DID is technically a dollar but 911 is
  also required so the actual cost is $2.50 per month: $1.00 DID + $1.50 911
2. Enable CallCentric CNAM
   go to the CallCentric home page for your account
   https://my.callcentric.com/home.php
   click on My Account/Preferences
   set "Caller ID with name (Inbound calls)" to Enable  
3. go to the OBiTalk Dashboard to register your Callcentric DID number
   https://www.obitalk.com/obinet/pg/obhdev
   find a free SP (service provider) and click through the following pages:
     SP<N>/Next/CallCentric
   configure the following options:
                        Configuration Name: CallCentric DID CNAM
           Primary Line for Outgoing Calls: uncheck  
                    Voicemail Notification: uncheck          
             7-Digit Dialing for USA & CAN: <local area code>
   Use This Service for Emergency 911 Calls: check
                        CallCentric Number: <SIP #>
                      CallCentric Password: <web password>
                     
   Note: your <SIP #> is found by going to your Callcentric account home page
        https://my.callcentric.com/home.php
        log in and copy/paste your "Callcentric #" to the Obitalk's
        "CallCentric Number" field
4. optional: make SP2 ring pattern "normal" like SP1
    enter OBi Expert Configuration mode:
    go to https://www.obitalk.com/obinet/pg/obhdev
    click on your device under "My OBi Devices"
    look to bottom of page and click on "OBi Expert Configuration" then "Enter OBi Expert"
    under Product Information expand Voice Services, SP<n> for CallCentric
    change Parameter Name X_RingProfile to:
    OBiTalk Settings: uncheck   
    Value: A
5. assuming the Callcentric status is "Registered" on the
   OBi Dashboard Status, add and verify the CallCentric phone number to
   Google Voice:
   go to https://voice.google.com/voicemail
   Find the three vertical ... and click to expand more options
   go to Legacy Google Voice/Settings/Phones
   click on the Settings wheel in the right hand corner
   click on "Add another phone" and go through the process
   uncheck forwarding to Google chat
   check CallCentric
6. test 911 by calling 933  

PennyCat

Anyone know why step 6 uses 933 as a test of 911, or is that a typo?

GPz1100

933 is a test number for 911. It's an automated service that reads off the address information transmitted to 911.

If you're concerned about 911 working properly, call your local dispatch's non emergency number to ask how you can test this.  In my case they advised actually calling 911.  Call went through to the exact same call center and even the same operator picked up - she confirmed the address.  Of course 911 behavior varies widely depending on the services in your area.

PennyCat

I'm trying to setup CNAM and 911 with CC and GV.  Here is my settings on Obihai



Though when I go back to my dashboard for SP2 CC I'm getting "Registration failed: 403 Incorrect Authentication"

I'm using my web password.  Should I be using something else?

SteveInWA

Yes, you need to assign a SIP password, which can be, but is not necessarily the same as, your Callcentric account password.  Set a SIP password on the Callcentric web site, on the "Extensions" tab.

PennyCat


Strangelove

I'm also having some trouble with CNAM.

I have set up Callcentric with E911 and a New York phone number for the $1.50/mo + setup fee.
I have enabled Caller ID with name in the Callcentric dashboard
I have set Google Voice to forward to the Callcentric number
I have set up the Obihai 202 with Callcentric on SP3 (incoming only except for 911), and Google Voice on SP4

Since I am testing this out prior to pulling the plug on my landline, I currently have my landline phone forwarding to my Google Voice number, which is then forwarding to the Callcentric number.

So I've noticed something interesting ... when I call the Callcentric number directly from my cellphone, I get Caller ID with name as expected. However, when I call the Google Voice number that forwards to the Callcentric number, I only get the Caller ID number (no name - it just reports "Out of area" for the name).

Another odd thing ... I've subsequently tried to duplicate the Caller ID with name by calling the Callcentric number directly, and get an error that "the number that you have dialed has been temporarily disconnected." But when I call the Google Voice number, the call goes through without a problem (except for the lack of name in the Caller ID, of course).

Do I have an error in my setup?

Steve