ObiBT - multiple phone scenarios
jimates:
mish,
You may consider this for the most versatile when using an Obi202.
- Get separate google voice numbers for both cell phones. (If you currently use Sprint, you can integrate with google voice without changing any phone numbers).
- Set the phone as a forwarding phone
- Enable the "Activate google voicemail on thisl phone"
- Configure the google voice account on the Obi
- Set Google Talk as a forwarding phone at google voice
- Calls to google voice will ring the cell phone, and the Obi
- Unanswered calls at the cell phone will go to google voicemail instead of the cell providers vm
- This will allow you to configure each cell phone's google voice separately on the Obi, and use each one as a separate service for both incoming and outgoing calls. You can also set each to ring separate phones on the Obi if desired.
- You can also set custom ring schedules for Google Chat if you don't want the Obi ringing during the weekday, etc.
EDIT:
At google, enable the "When someone calls this phone directly and I don't pick up, ring my other phones before going to voicemail" option for the cell phone.
This way when someone calls the cell phone's number directly it will ring the Obi before going to voicemail if unanswered. If a call comes into the cell you can hit ignore, instead of letting it time out, and it will immediately ring the Obi before going to voicemail.
mish:
Hi jimates,
This sounds good. And I have thought about it.
Let me recap my understanding of what you are suggesting:
1. Have two Google Voice numbers - one for each cell phone.
2. When owner of Cell phone 1 calls from Ph1, GV1 (Google Voice 1) is used to call out.
3. When cell phone 1 rings and the phone is home, Ph1 rings - due to Obibt connection.
4. When owner of Cell phone 2 calls using Ph2, GV2 is used to call out.
5. When Cell phone 2 rings and the phone is home, Ph2 rings - due to Obibt connection.
6. When GV1 rings, Ph1 rings, and so does the Cell phone 1. And the same for GV2, Ph2 and Cell phone 2.
7. And then setup VM such that GV becomes VM recipient - these are AT&T phones.
Is the above how you envision it?
The only issue in this, is that the outbound number is different from the cell phone. It is the GV number.
But otherwise it is a scenario worth doing - at least until GV is free it does not cost any extra.
---
Edit:
Responding to your edit - It sounds like you are describing a situation where ObiBT is not needed. If the cell phone is not answered, it will ring GV number before going to VM. Right?
jimates:
True, the outgoing number from the Obi will be the google voice number instead of the cell number. With google voice it is understood that one would migrate away from using their regular number.
Even the possibility of porting an existing number to google voice leaves the situation where calls made directly from the phone would have a different number (unless you incorporate an app into your usage on a smart phone, or use the google voice callback).
Yes, I wasn't considering using the BT at all however, the use of the device may be beneficial to a point. You can set up google voice on SPx but not have it ring any phones. The phones would only ring when the BT is connected to the cell phone. Of course outgoing calls could still be made using google voice directly from the phone port. Incoming calls would still use the cellular service and minutes, but that usually isn't a concern anymore.
mish:
As for minutes on cell phone plan, just moved to a unlimited plan.
Until last month it mattered...
But if I can do without ObiBT, I would be happy to.
How do I make Google Voice 1 ring if Cell phone 1 is called?
There is a certain convenience in having cell phones ring on the cordless phones at home.
And as far as I know, only an ObiBT kind of solution can achieve that.
Or a cordless phone set that pairs with our cell phones.
jimates:
Yes, only the BT will allow your home phones to ring from the cell phone.
How do I make Google Voice 1 ring if Cell phone 1 is called?
google voice can ring both the Obi and the cell at the same time, but only for calls that come in on the google voice number.
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