VOIP phone numbers: listed or unlisted?
Lafong:
This is my first post on these forums and I hope I have chosen the right forum.
I'm computer literate, but very weak on telephony.
I am contemplating getting an OBI 202, but have questions related to the phone number I get from the provider---maybe Google Voice, maybe Callcentric.
Is this number listed or unlisted in the normal sense of the word, as a land line number might be? Do I have a choice? Is there anything similar to a nation-wide directory like "411" that includes all "listed" numbers? For all I know, any VOIP number is available from 411.
Secondly: Am I correct that this number is by definition a "DID" number and that there is no choice about that?
Lastly: if I live in Montana and am there most of the time, is there any reason I can't get a phone number from Texas, Delaware, or any other state? I assume the drawback would be that local Montana people might have to pay more to call my Delaware number than if it was local. Any other reasons?
Thanks and I'm sure I'll have more questions later.
CoalMinerRetired:
In general your number will be mostly unlisted. And IMO most people want it that way (but most businesses do not want it that way). Your number will not, for example, appear in any 'white pages' telephone book, unless you take some action to make it appear. If anything it might appear in the providers phone directory, or worse the provider might give (i.e. sell for profit) your number to various '411' services, which if you read the fine print probably makes you a have a 'business relationship' with anyone who purchases the 411 lists and therefore prone to legally getting telemarketing phone calls. It's a shady business. Search on here for 411 if you want more info, and for some insights on the various 411 services available.
In almost all cases your number will be a DID number. This may have restrictions that vary by provider. With GV you get one package only. With CallCentric, you can get a number that receives calls only (no out going except 911), or you get in and out based on minutes used, etc.
Yes, living in MT (or anywhere else) you can get a number based in any other state or location. They even make 911/E911 work at your actual correct address even if your number is based in a different state (note that GV does not do this). The drawback is as you mention, although there's nothing stopping you from getting two numbers, even with two different providers, one where you are based and one wherever people call you from (or where you want people to think your business is based, etc.., etc). The Obi202 supports four providers, and if you do the Callcentric and Google Voice Setup Guide (with CNAM and E911) with two GV #s, and two CC #s for CNAM and 911, you'll get the biggest set of features at the lowest possible cost.
Lafong:
Coalminer:
Thanks for that. You pretty much confirmed my suspicions.
I've got a couple of other questions related to routers and which OBI product I might need, but I'll start a new thread for that.
Lafong:
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on September 25, 2013, 12:41:04 am
In general your number will be mostly unlisted. And IMO most people want it that way (but most businesses do not want it that way). Your number will not, for example, appear in any 'white pages' telephone book, unless you take some action to make it appear. If anything it might appear in the providers phone directory, or worse the provider might give (i.e. sell for profit) your number to various '411' services, which if you read the fine print probably makes you a have a 'business relationship' with anyone who purchases the 411 lists and therefore prone to legally getting telemarketing phone calls. It's a shady business.
Coal Miner:
I just took the plunge and ordered an OBI 202. Should be here next week, so I'm trying to make preliminary plans.
Re 411: I prefer NEVER to be found by anyone using 411 and am wondering if I can simply use a fake name all along the way?
I've signed up with Google Gmail with a fake name and it works. I assume when I activate Google
Voice/Chat that will also be under the fake name.
I'll get a phone number from Google using the fake name. I may also want a second service such as Callcentric for 911 purposes only---presumably using a fake name. My present plan is to use Google for all ordinary incoming and outgoing.
I'll have a small monthly bill for 911 purposes from Callcentric that I'd presumably pay by credit card. My credit cards are of course in my real name and I'm wondering if that fact might eventually allow someone to find me via 411 using my real name if Callcentric decides to sell my account info?
Any insight?
I suspect I'll have more questions next week when I enter router hell for the first time. I don't have one and have never used one, so will be using the router capability in the 202.
I assume the router functionality MUST be used for the OBI to work at all? I've always just used cable modem plugged directly into PC via Ethernet. I have NO home network and NO wireless devices. NO cell phone. Ordinary corded Panasonic phone, single line.
CoalMinerRetired:
> Re 411: I prefer NEVER to be found by anyone using 411 and am wondering if I can simply use a fake name all along the way?
I think you're pushing the limit if not crossing the line if you were to do this. There are some laws, which vary by state I presume, that expressly say you cannot use a fake name or a fake address. And in reality you do want this (the address and your name) to be correct and accurate. I can't say this authoritatively, but it seems that no 911 service provider can go out and sell or otherwise give away your info. In summary, if you want to take it to this level of privacy and anonymity then simply do not sign up for any 911 service.
> I've signed up with Google Gmail with a fake name and it works. I assume when I activate Google
Voice/Chat that will also be under the fake name.
Google has a loosely worded thing you agree to saying you will use your real name. But if no credit card payments are transacted, they will never know.
> I'll get a phone number from Google using the fake name. I may also want a second service such as Callcentric for 911 purposes only---presumably using a fake name. My present plan is to use Google for all ordinary incoming and outgoing.
See above 911 comments, ... I think it's a very bad idea to use a fake name on any 911 account.
> I'll have a small monthly bill for 911 purposes from Callcentric that I'd presumably pay by credit card. My credit cards are of course in my real name and I'm wondering if that fact might eventually allow someone to find me via 411 using my real name if Callcentric decides to sell my account info?
If you truly want to know if that is a possibility, then read any and all of the terms and conditions for using Call Centric. By law they have to spell it all out for any consumet.
> I assume the router functionality MUST be used for the OBI to work at all?
No, not necessarily. There's no need to do anything with the router in the Obi for the telephony features to work. By default these settings are enabled (Router Configuration > LAN Settings) but you simply do not use any of the router functions (i.e., do not connect any network devices such as PCs or printers to the the Obi and do not use the obi's LAN side routing functions) and everything works fine.
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