OBiTALK Community

General Support => On-Topic: Obihai and OBi Products => Topic started by: dm2850 on April 08, 2017, 10:06:47 AM

Title: Calling disconnected and busy numbers
Post by: dm2850 on April 08, 2017, 10:06:47 AM
I am using the Obihai 200 with Google Voice and I have run into a major issue.  When I dial a number that is disconnected or busy, the Obihai does not transmit the telephone company disconnect recording IE. "you have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service".  Instead, it continues to ring and ring.  The same thing with calling a busy number, it does not transmit the busy signal.  It just rings and rings.  I am thus fooled into thinking the party is simply not answering and does not have voicemail.  This does not happen when I call using Google Voice either from my email inbox or by dialing the Google Voice number first and then placing the call.  Is there a setting I can change this to fix it.  BTW, I have experienced this issue with other VOIP providers.
Title: Re: Calling disconnected and busy numbers
Post by: Taoman on April 08, 2017, 11:40:00 AM
Quote from: dm2850 on April 08, 2017, 10:06:47 AM
When I dial a number that is disconnected or busy, the Obihai does not transmit the telephone company disconnect recording IE. "you have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service".  Instead, it continues to ring and ring.  The same thing with calling a busy number, it does not transmit the busy signal.  It just rings and rings. 

This has nothing to do with your OBi device. Google Voice ignores early media. The illustrations you listed above are all examples of early media. Blame Google Voice, not Obihai.
Google Voice must ignore early media because of how their forwarding system works.

Quote from: dm2850This does not happen when I call using Google Voice either from my email inbox or by dialing the Google Voice number first and then placing the call.  Is there a setting I can change this to fix it.  BTW, I have experienced this issue with other VOIP providers.

When calling from your Gmail account you are using Hangouts. Hangouts does transmit all early media unlike Google Voice.

I am unclear what you mean by "dialing the Google Voice number first and then placing the call." I assume you mean dialing your GV number directly from your OBi and then choosing option 2 "to place a call." Not sure if that's what you mean because early media is ignored going this route also.

A good way to test this issue is by calling 631-265-0000 which is the pay phone deposit message which is also early media. Call the number via Google Voice and you will just hear ringback tone. Call the number via Hangouts and you will hear the early media message.

There are no settings anywhere to change this behavior. This is why it's a good idea to have an additional VoIP provider configured on your OBi that doesn't ignore early media. Or just use Hangouts on your computer (hangouts.google.com) or cell phone. Can't be too picky when you're paying $0 for this service.
Title: Re: Calling disconnected and busy numbers
Post by: dm2850 on December 22, 2017, 11:32:08 AM
I know this post was 8 months ago but thanks for the information.  Now I know what "early media message" means.  By stating when "when I dial my own Google Voice number" I meant that if I call it from another from such as my regular landline.  You are right, the service is free so I am not expecting any resolution.  But it's good to know that this happens so that you don't think the number is actually ringing and it's disconnected.  Thanks.