Proposed solution post-GV, please point out any errors ??
Taoman:
Again, in my view the wisest choice (for me) is to stick with Google Voice. IMHO, the only reason to get away from GV is if you are experiencing call quality/latency problems or have an issue with their voicemail limitations. Besides all their great features one of the greatest selling points is that you can easily add, test, and get rid of new service providers as needed. You stick with your GV number and just add VoIPs as forwarding numbers. If they don't work out then it just takes a minute to get rid of them. This is not so easily done if you have committed to or ported your number to a different ITSP.
And that was the context I was thinking of when I mentioned IPComms. I've had one of their free DIDs for awhile and there is absolutely no spamming of any kind. That is not their style. However, they offered free DIDs before and then (last April?) they suddenly stopped offering them and everyone who had a free DID lost their number. Apparently this was because of rampant abuse. So I certainly would never bet the farm on using a free IPComms DID. I would only recommend using one as a forwarding number in GV.
You see minimizing exposure to Google Voice as "a very good thing" and many people agree with you. I just don't happen to be one of them. I've had nothing but good luck with them. I may feel differently after Google Voice is rolled into Hangouts. Time will tell.
I am certainly not trying to dissuade you from Future9's offering especially if you don't require E911. They seem like a good company, have really good reviews, and Nitzan has been extremely helpful. I doubt you would be disappointed going with them. I just happened to go with PhonePower based on price, features, and tech support but that is purely a personal decision on my part. There are a lot of great VoISPs out there to choose from.
As far as using multiple outbound providers I'm afraid you'll have to do what I did. Search and read, search and read, and finally......search and read. For multiple outbound providers you will probably need to configure Voice Gateways. I would start with the following google search: "voice gateways site:obitalk.com"
Just one example of a cheap solution: use a free Callcentric DID on SP1 which gets you unlimited free incoming minutes and free incoming CNAM. Configure Localphone on SP2 for very cheap outgoing rates.
However, I know you want a local number and don't want to use GV so that rules out Callcentric. You could substitute IPComms for Callcentric but again, I certainly wouldn't bet the farm on them. This is a prime example of why I would stick with Google Voice. You stick with your GV number and if one of your free DIDs goes belly up....big deal. Just get yourself another one. It's all transparent to anyone who calls your GV number.
That's my 2 cents and that's how much it's worth. I know many people will disagree with me. But that's one of the advantages of using VoIP providers........there are so many options out there. You can tailor a solution to fit your individual needs. Good luck!
vtsnaab:
Thanks Again Taoman.
I will be keeping both my GV numbers for the time being - but plan to divorce them from my Obi as I get new stuff going.
This is why I am getting a cheap Android phone (as mentioned in the OP).
As I see it, your replies have vaguely pointed to there being other really good options without specifically pointing to any which are exceedingly good or better than the choices I've already listed.
You've pointed towards CC & LP - and I've mentioned how I'd like to be using CC & LP in my OP.
As I see it, you and I are merely saying slightly different things about the same providers.
And this is positively frightful:
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However, they offered free DIDs before and then (last April?) they suddenly stopped offering them and everyone who had a free DID lost their number.
Based upon that tidbit alone I would ONLY consider using IPComms via my planned, totally secondary Android-based platform and NEVER for my main number.
They claim to offer price matching, but make aspiring users jump through hoops for anything other than 'liking' them on FB, and their monthly offerings are nothing special pricewise, so, with them...:
It's either 100% free (but maybe subject to suddenly vanishing) - or too costly to be bothered with.
And to all that I say:
Meh.
As posted originally here - I invite help & corrections to what I propose in the OP - and would very much appreciate any real help in setting up more outbound paths besides SP1 & 2 on my existing Obi110.
Thanks.
nitzan:
Keep in mind IPComms' free DIDs are essentially an advertising tool - they figure that by giving away free DIDs they can get facebook likes and some users may upgrade to a paid plan. Bottom line it doesn't matter as I'm sure the DID quality is good - but they have no monetary incentive to provide service long-term - which is probably why people have lost their DIDs before. For a free DID I'd choose someone like CallCentric over them.
KAura:
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However, they offered free DIDs before and then (last April?) they suddenly stopped offering them and everyone who had a free DID lost their number.
There is also the additional requirement of calling at least
once every three months and spending a little money to
keep your free DID -- disaster waiting to happen...
I agree with nitzan that this is pure marketing, and not a
good example at that.
vtsnaab:
Very sensible pointers, thank you.
Getting back to my OP - any errors, pointers or helpful suggestions, please ??
Repeating so as to assist...:
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With my Obi 110 I plan to go ahead as follows:
SP1 - Future 5 for in and outbound usage as my main inward point of contact with a local DID.
SP2 - Callcentric with a free NY DID for inbound, if needed - and very little or zero outbound usage.
These are the parts I remain a bit uncertain about setting up properly along with the above=>
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Circlenet for outbound usage as convenient, spoofed to look like my main inbound (new, F9) number.
Lastly, if there is a way it may be added somehow - Localphone as an additional outbound path for whenever it may be wanted or needed ??
Thanks for any help !!!
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