[Newbie] Forward Calls to Landline, Answer Using SIP Client/App/Other Methods
ALAL:
Hi,
I was told that Obi110 can be used for the following scenario:
Objective: to call/receive Foreign Country's ("FC") phone calls in the US, using data plan only (thus avoiding international long distance call charges and roaming charges)
Wish to Set up something like this:
- Cell number in FC forwarded to landline in FC, which is connected to an Obi110
- Obi110 then forwards calls to my Android/iPhone in the US over the internet, using Android's native SIP client? or Obitalk App?
- So I can answer any calls to my Cell number in FC while i'm in the US
- thus this will result in no long distance or roaming charges
But so far, I can't figure out how. Obihai customer service won't help me. I'm a complete newbie without any knowledge. I'd appreciate if someone would lend a hand or guide me step by step.
Thanks!
ianobi:
Welcome to the forum. There are several ways to achieve what you want. The simplest is to use the OBiON app on your android phone to answer the calls.
In the OBi110 set this:
Physical Interfaces > LINE Port > InboundCallRoute:
{12345678901:ph,pp(ob290123456)},{ph}
Where 12345678901 is your cell number in FC and 290123456 is the softphone number that is automatically allocated to you when you set up your OBi110 account.
With the above arrangement calls to the OBi110 with CallerID of 12345678901 will ring the phone attached to the OBi110 and your OBiON app. Any other call to the OBi110 will only ring the phone attached to the OBi110.
If you want the calls from the cell number in FC to forward to your OBiON app without ringing the phone attached to the OBi110, then set this:
Physical Interfaces > LINE Port > InboundCallRoute:
{12345678901:pp(ob290123456)},{ph}
I should issue a couple of warnings! For this to work CallerID has to be recognised by the OBi110. Different countries use different technical formats for their CallerID systems. The default OBi setting is for North American standard. I’m in the UK and easily changed the settings to work here.
Another potential problem is that the OBiON app really needs wifi or 4G to work well. 3G will work, but may not be as reliable as you want. On the upside, the OBiON app should work in any country where you can get a decent connection. I have used it in various European countries where hotels provide free wifi.
There are other solutions that would work, but are a little more complicated. For example, if you had an OBi in the US as well as the FC, then you could set up all sorts of other connections. The links between OBi devices and other OBi devices or OBiON apps use the OBiTALK network, which is free to use for OBi owners, so it provides a free bridge from say US to your FC, you only pay for the local part at each end.
ALAL:
Thank you ianobi.
1. I've managed to direct my foreign cell number to ObiON app and successfully answered the phone calls with the app twice. However, it failed to connect after those two times. I followed your instructions, I'm not too sure what's happening. I tried rebooting the Obi110. It still doesn't work.
[edit: I rebooted a few times, and realized the "InboundCallRoute" keeps on resetting to "ph" instead of "{12345678901:pp(ob290123456)},{ph}". Is there a way to stop Obi110 from clearing the settings each time it reboots?] [edit: solved, thank you!]
2. If I missed any forwarded calls, how do I see the call history / missed call history? [edit: solved, thank you]
3. Also, as you mentioned, the OBiON App needs wifi or 4G to work well, is there a way to make sure the calls go through or are stable enough? Can my android SIP native client connect to the Obi110, instead of using the ObiON App?
[edit: I also realized I'll have to open the ObiON app in order to receive a call on both iOS and Android, an incoming call doesn't wake it up, and there's no way I'd know I have an incoming call unless I open the ObiON app and keep the phone awake (ie. not locked). is there a way to make it integrated into either iOS/Android, so I can receive a call without having to open the app all the time, or every now and then?]
[edit2: I looked into cSIPsimple posts, and it looks very intimidating! if you don't mind, can you point me to the easiest guide for me to follow? Do I need to set up a free SIP provider? If so, which do you recommend? thanks so much!] [edit: solved, thank you!]
4. How do I place a phone call through the Obi110/ObiON App or another method?
5. Lastly, is it possible to direct the phone calls to a voicemail system if I didn't answer the phone? I heard something like Asterisk or PBX in A Flash would help? I'm hoping to get a voicemail via email, something like Google Voice.
Thank you!
ianobi:
I'll be away from my pc for the rest of today, but I'll give a quick couple of answers, then follow up with more tomorrow. Others are welcome to jump in here!
2. Call History is available via your local OBi web page, not via the OBiTALK portal. Dial ***1 for the IP address. Default log in details are "admin" and "admin". Look for Status > Call History.
3. Do a search on this forum for "CSipSimple". It can register with a free SIP provider and integrate with your native android client. Don't be put off by some of the long complex posts on this subject!
I'll be back tomorrow with plenty of time, so feel free to add questions!
giqcass:
Quote from: ALAL on April 03, 2014, 10:28:26 pm
5. Lastly, is it possible to direct the phone calls to a voicemail system if I didn't answer the phone? I heard something like Asterisk or PBX in A Flash would help? I'm hoping to get a voicemail via email, something like Google Voice.
Thank you!
Let me tackle this question specifically. If you were to use SIP like Csipsmple(suggested by ianobi) or Sipdroid(one I like) you would need to register to a SIP server. Your cell phone can't register to the Obi itself. A service like Callcentric becomes useful. Callcentric would provide the sip server, the voicemail, and a call history in one place. They can forward your voicemail to your email account. For this set up you would forward calls to a Callcentric SIP address instead of forwarding to Obion.
Quote from: ALAL on April 03, 2014, 10:28:26 pm
[edit: I rebooted a few times, and realized the "InboundCallRoute" keeps on resetting to "ph" instead of "{12345678901:pp(ob290123456)},{ph}". Is there a way to stop Obi110 from clearing the settings each time it reboots?]
It sounds like your setting are being overwritten by the web portal.
http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=61.0
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