Best solution for porting home number, but likely no OBi
Rick:
I realize this forum is intended for OBi support, but I trust the long-time contributors and time is tight right now as I'll explain.
My in-laws are transitioning from home to hospital to rehab (now) to assisted living. It's very traumatic to them and to us. Lots of balls in the area, finding assisted living that fits the timeframe, moving stuff, etc. At their home they had a landline for incoming calls and local calls with a number they'd like to keep, and a cell for outgoing long distance they they used, but didn't like due to size, etc. They make less than a call a day.
In their new environment they will only have wifi internet, and I have no idea of the speed. Nor do I wish to try to configure a wireless OBi solution that may, or may not work in Assisted Living. They don't use computers and never will.
I've come up with several options that I'd like ripped apart. The goals are EASE OF IMPLEMENTATION, KEEPING THEIR LANDLINE NUMBER ACTIVE and EASE OF USE, and then COST SAVINGS.
I bought a XLink BTTN for $40 (ordered a BT, they shipped at BTTN). This device hooks to a cellphone by Bluetooth. You plug a regular phone into it, and that regular phone now can make and receive calls. They put the cell next to the device, with Bluetooth on, and it's connected. I've tested it and it works great. I've tested walking away and walking back, and it reconnects just fine. Using the cell is not a problem for minutes, in fact it's free to call any Verizon cell number or any "favorite numbers", and I can change them as I see fit.
Therefore, not hooking up any landline. Saves $500 or so a year. They don't need 911, they have call buttons to push for the people at assisted living.
Option 1:
Port landline to cell, losing cell number. Losing the number doesn't matter, and now all their home calls go to the cell, which they can answer on the regular phone that's hooked to the XLink. IF they take the cell with them, their old fashioned answering machine won't work (connected to the XLink), and someone in the room (if only 1 left) has no phone to use. However, they are no longer driving, and we'll be taking them to things, so they don't need to take the cell phone. Downside - their old home number is now a cell number, so if we ever dump that line the number goes away. Downside, I can see who they call and who calls them, but can't block anyone.
Option 2:
Port landline to a VoIP provider, and then forward it to the cell. Keeps that number AND keeps the cell number. If the cell is ever dumped, still have the old landline number. Upside - can forward the landline to that cell or to anywhere else in the future. Upside - should be able to block calls from unwanted parties (solicitors) as they come in and are identified. And can block calls without callerid. Downside - cost? Downside - added complexity. Downside - SIP scanners (don't think so, because I'm only forwarding the former landline number, no?) Downside, outgoing calls will show to people as the cell number instead of their home number, but that's the way it's been for years as all long distance went via the cell (and it's number is blocked).
I could port to Google Voice for option #2, but don't want dropped calls that I sometimes get and I don't know if it's the OBi or GV. I want a seamless experience for them. I have no other VoIP experience.
Thoughts? Missed options?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Johnny:
If you decide on going with option 2,
Voip.ms is offering free porting and a DID is $0.99/mo.
I have an account at Voip.ms and I have to say, there's not many downsides to speak of.
The costs for inbound and outbound are minimal and if not many calls are placed, you shouldn't have to worry at all about cost being a "downside".
Once set up properly, it shouldn't be too complex.
There are many other good voip providers as well, I also have an account at Callcentric and I like them equally as well as Voip.ms. Check out both if you can.
Good luck with your decision.......
ianobi:
Option 1 - Get a cheap cell phone and connect to the XLink button 2. Port their existing landline number to it. Put the phone out of the way up on a shelf, maybe on permanent charge. Now you have a permanent incoming service and the answerphone will always work. The original cell phone connected to button 1 will be first choice for outgoing calls. If cell phone 1 is away from home, then outgoing calls will automatically go out through cell phone 2.
Option 2 - If you add some complexity with an OBi110, then you can use the Xlink as its "landline" and have a voip service as incoming on the ported landline number. This can also be set up as a simple "Trunk Group" with the Xlink / cell phone as first choice line, when that is missing calls automatically fail over to the voip service. It's added complexity, but you get all the OBi call screening functions etc.
Good luck. I've just set up something similar for my mother. She is presently using a normal phone connected to a cell phone, but does not know that - cell phone is hidden under dressing table and permanently on charge :)
QBZappy:
Quote from: Rick on November 07, 2013, 07:35:07 am
Option 2:
... Downside, outgoing calls will show to people as the cell number instead of their home number, but that's the way it's been for years as all long distance went via the cell (and it's number is blocked).
Voipms and a few other select providers offer the ability to spoof a tel number. It is conceivable to set up a call from the cell and the OBi ATA both showing the same CID.
As Ian mentioned the Xlink can be used in combination with the OBi.
I have elderly parents who spend the winter in Florida. I have considered in the past to set up an wireless sip camera. I have a couple of them here and they work very well. This model is about the cost of a webcam ( http://www.grandstream.com/index.php/products/ip-video-surveillance/gxv3615wp_hd )and can be connected to any service provider or the OBi. $88.99 at http://www.voipbaez.com/grandstream-gxv3615w-cube-ip-camera-wifi. With these cams you will be able to see them but they can not see you.
Another idea I had was to get my hands on a cheap android smart phone with built in camera. You could have it permanently set up on a wall. Set it up with a sip app, and use it like an extension. With this approach you can see each other, and it is probably cheaper to boot as used smart phones are easy to get. This makes for a good security camera for the home as well.
Both ideas basically give you the ability of keeping an eye (and ear) on them using the wifi in the building. They can both be set up easily to auto answer with video when you call.
Good luck.
Rick:
Turns out this place is wired internet, subscription via Comcast, only, no wifi. Just learned that minutes ago.
I also realized that forwarding from any VoIP provider involves both an incoming minute AND an outgoing minute being used. Hadn't thought that one through.
I could also go the GV route for their incoming calls, port the number for $20 via a stop at a cheap cell, and then forward GV to their cell.
Any way I do it, if I forward their home number to their cell incoming calls will be free because the home number is in our "friends and family" plan. If I then put all calls through the VoIP provider or GV by programming that in to their saved numbers on their phone, I could make those calls free on the cell too (assuming they didn't just dial them on their own).
The facility is literally 3 miles away, so I don't know that video would be needed, but very good advice. I appreciate the "Good luck" wishes also.
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