Do I need to have a separate VOIP service like Gizmo5, CallCentric, or other VOIP service provider to use Obihai device to call out to a regular landline if the other end that I'm calling doesn't have this Obihai device. I'm looking to replace my current landline, of course fully knowing the 911 limitation.
Regards.
sunny,
Hi,
Yes you will need to get a VOIP service Provider if you cancel your land line. There are many to choose from.
yeah thanks thats what I thought, but its not explicitly stated in the product description is it? I wonder how many people got this and just thought you can just plug it in your internet and phone to make calls out?
Also, any cheap or even free VOIP providers that support free call outs in the US?
FYI, Gizmo5 will cease to exist in approximately 3 weeks. A Google Voice account, which is free through at least the end of the year, will provide you with an incoming number and the ability to make two outgoing calls simultaneously.
thats my current setup now, GV + Gizmo5 on PAP2 ATA and have enjoyed it for about 1.5yrs with no problem. I do many conf calls for work on it, its been awesome, but as you said, Gizmo5 is about to shut down at end of this month, so I'm scrambling on the alternatives, then I came across this Obihai, so I'm doing my research now before I commit on it.
pardon me. but i'm one of the slow ones -- slow on the uptake. ??? wouldn't google voice enable you to call out to other phones in the US for free? isn't that the major selling point for the obi equipment?
why is there a need for a sip provider if the objective is to make free outgoing calls? or are you posing the "what if" question when 2011 ends and google voice decides to end the free outgoing calls, as well?
or are you asking is there a sip provider that enables free outgoing calls worldwide?
other sip providers that worked for me before obi were:
iptel using ipkall
ideasip using ipkall
sipgate
localphone (cheapest outgoing calls to the US - 1 cent per minute)
@mykmayk
This device has been on the market since October as an ATA for use with SIP providers. Support for Goggle Chat was added in mid January. This device is not dependent on Google, although it has really help sales.
so this devices "uses" google voice's features but since google voice is not a sip provider, it needs an actual sip provider to make calls, this is my understanding, please correct me if I'm wrong.
Quote from: sunny on March 10, 2011, 04:21:35 PM
I wonder how many people got this and just thought you can just plug it in your internet and phone to make calls out?
ahhh right. this device, just like any standalone, unprovisioned pap devices, requires a service provider. it is not plug-and-play. this is not vonage. :D it's just that the question seemed like it was ignoring the big elephant in the middle of the room. why look for something else when something better is right in front? (also, this thread was started today when google chat is already implemented -- not way back in october or before mid-january.) the same question could have be posted for the linksys pap2t discussion forums since the major distinction between pap2 and ob110 is the google implementation. but since it was posted in obi forum, that confused my slow brain.
again, my apologies for butting in. :'(
Quote from: sunny on March 10, 2011, 04:50:05 PM
so this devices "uses" google voice's features but since google voice is not a sip provider, it needs an actual sip provider to make calls, this is my understanding, please correct me if I'm wrong.
This device does NOT need an additional SIP provider you can set it up with a google voice account and make in and out calls just like a normal SIP provider. The only reason you would need a traditional sip provider is if you wanted e911 service considering that gv does not provide that. so.....OBi110 + google voice account = free in/out usa calls.
But like most have warned is google has only said it would be free until 2011...and I would assume they could easily make changes to the protocol that is used by google chat that the obi utilizes and it could stop working...not sure why Google would but you never know.
Quote from: Loughary on March 10, 2011, 05:22:41 PMBut like most have warned is google has only said it would be free until 2011
Not to nitpick, but just so no one is confused, that's free until
the end of 2011. 8)
I understand the OBi uses Google Chat, but doesn't Google Voice require an actual line to forward your calls to; at least initially? I am interested in doing the same thing and was considering a SIP instead of my cable provider's VOIP.
The OBi110 is able to interface with Google Voice (via XMPP) such that no additional support, callbacks, whatever are needed. Simply access your Gmail account, make at least one Google Voce call from it, make sure the Google Chat forwarding phone is checked in Google Voice, and your Gmail username/password will make the Obi110 do the rest.
I must be missing something RonR, because I don't see the same thing as you. When I do that, I don't have Google Chat (or even the same tabs) in settings and I am not able to have a dedicated GV number.
Also, I tried to remove my landline number from my OBi connected account and it won't let me.
I know I'm missing something in your explanation.
If you have a Google Voice and GMail account assocated with the same Google account, there should be an option on the lower left-hand side of the GMail page to make a call. Clicking on it should bring up a dialpad on the lower right-hand side. Make at least one call (installing the Google plug-in first, if required) and you should have Google Chat listed in your Google Voice phones list. Make sure it's checked. Plug your username and password into the OBi110 and it should be able to make and receive calls through your Google Voice number.
@Jeff205
Make sure outbound calling from chat is enabled in your mail settings, see the pic below.
With that enabled and the Voice & Video plug in installed you can use the gmail credentials to make outbound calls from the Obi. For incoming calls you must have a Google Voice number associated with that same gmail account (and complete one call from gmail).
Quoteand I am not able to have a dedicated GV number.
Also, I tried to remove my landline number from my OBi connected account and it won't let me
What do you mean you are not able to have a dedicated GV number?
Do you mean you tried to remove your landline from the GV account that is set up on your Obi?
Quote from: RonR on March 10, 2011, 06:07:07 PM
The OBi110 is able to interface with Google Voice (via XMPP) such that no additional support, callbacks, whatever are needed. Simply access your Gmail account, make at least one Google Voce call from it, make sure the Google Chat forwarding phone is checked in Google Voice, and your Gmail username/password will make the Obi110 do the rest.
No, I have everything setup. RonR made the comment above regarding not having a landline for you GV account and I was simply saying that if you go the route he outlined above, then you don't have a dedicated GV number (you can make calls out, but not receive calls). And as an alternative test, I tried to remove my landline number from the GV account that is connected to my OBi (working and only using Chat) and it will not let me; therefore, you need a landline number of some sort associated to your GV account. Which means you would need some sort of landline, VOIP, SIP, etc. to get a GV number and receive incoming calls. Which is why I didn't understand RonR's comments.
I'm not trying to confuse the issue; just to understand because I want to drop my cable provider VOIP.
If you have Googe / Google Voice / Gmail configured properly and have successfully made at least one outgoing call from your Gmail account through the dialpad there, you should have Google Chat listed in your Google Voice account as one of your forwarding phones (this Google Voice MUST be on the same login as your Gmail). Make sure it is selected and the OBi should work using your Gmail credentials.
With the OBi (or the dialpad in Gmail) you do not need to use a landlne number in your Google Voice forwarding phnones list to make or receive calls through the OBi. The old scheme of requiring a callback via a VoIP DID (IPKall, Sipgate, IPComms, etc.) is not required with the OBi.
Yes, you have to have a physical phone to set up your Google Voice account. Google will not forward to SIP phones either so you can't use one of those.
If you do away with the cable provided phone you still can't remove it from the list.
The work around to removing the last phone from the account is to have someone else add it to their Google Voice account and then they can remove it completely.
Quote from: RonR on March 10, 2011, 08:35:23 PM
The old scheme of requiring a callback via a VoIP DID (IPKall, Sipgate, IPComms, etc.) is not required with the OBi.
Right, I understand that, you don't have to USE the landline number, but you need it to set it up.
@jimates: I didn't think about having someone else add it. That would work because I did it by accident when I found out you can only have two GV numbers associated to one landline.
Okay, so what are my options for dropping my cable provider? Can I not use Vitelity, Call Centric, or (now I see on this forum) Voipmyway? I'm new to this, so I don't always understand the specifics. Isn't my cable provider simply a VOIP and once I setup new service I can change that number in GV?
Once your GV account is set up you don't really need a physical phone, you only need it at set up. You can remove it and just have Google Chat left as a forwarding phone. Calls will forward to the Google Chat in Gmail which will be the Obi.
You can leave the existing phone number in your GV account and just have the service disconnected. Uncheck the box so that calls don't forward to it anymore or all calls will either get the disconnect message or voicemail. If the cable company reassigns the number no one will ever know any difference, and if the new person wants to add it to a GV account they will be able to recover it at that time.
Your cable provided phone is voip but it is not a SIP provider. If you try to change the number in your GV account to a SIP provided number it will likely tell you that the number is not valid. Cable providers, MajicJack, netTALK Duo, Ooma, Vonage and probably more are valid forwarding numbers for Google Voice because they are not SIP numbers.
You can choose any of the providers you mentioned and set them up on the Obi, but you cannot use them as forwarding numbers with Google Voice. You can use them to make and receive calls, but google is free for the time being.
Jeff205,
This is deteriorating fast. :)
The simplest way to get started with the OBi is to use Google Voice as your service provider. If you can't get the OBi making and receiving calls with a Google Voice account, you won't find it any easier to do so with a VoIP provider.
A Google Voice account provides you with a telephone number to receive calls on and the ability to make outgoing calls. You don't need anything else. With Google Voice functioning on your OBi, you can potentially drop all other phone services.
You first need to get Google Voice working from your Gmail account. From your Gmail account, you should be able to make and receive telephone calls using your PC's speakers and microphone. Until you can do that, it's a waste of time trying to get it to work on the OBi.
Once you are able to make and receive calls on your PC from your Gmail account, you should be able to go to your Google Voice account and see Google Chat listed as a phone you can have your Google Voice calls forwarded to. Google Chat must be checked. If you have other landline numbers, cell phone numbers, or Gizmo5 listed there, you can leave them alone or delete them as you choose, but only Google Chat is required there.
At this point, configuring SP1 on the OBi for Google Voice using your Gmail/Google Voice username and password should allow you to make and receive calls through your Google Voice account using the telephone connected to your OBi.
RonR, you and I are not even on the same page. I DO have it working as I stated previously.
Jimates, my overriding concern for having a non-GV line for the house is faxing and my house alarm system. It wouldn't be used very frequently and was considering a pay-per-use option.
Fax and house alarm, both something to be concerned with as far as voip and SIP. But you can get by pretty cheap on a per min rate for that.
Online faxing can be really cheap on a prepaid fax account for outgoing, and there are free incoming fax options online. The home alarm compatibility is something I have no experience with, but I am sure the providers can provide that info.
Quote from: jimates on March 11, 2011, 06:37:07 AMThe home alarm compatibility is something I have no experience with, but I am sure the providers can provide that info.
I have no personal experience with them, but I've heard that NextAlarm (http://nextalarm.com/) is an alarm service that's used by many VoIP users. The OP might want to check them out.
Also, FAX often will work over VoIP as long as you use the G.711 (ulaw) codec, although that is somewhat provider-dependent. It helps if your fax machine has an "international mode" or a way to set the bps (speed) to a slower number - often using that mode or the slower speed will allow faxes to go through on the first attempt. But there are cases where it won't work, so there may be a bit of luck involved too.
OP = Original Poster
if you are looking for Voip service these are some good basic questions i saw
do you allow SIP only (pay as you go) accounts to use the IPKALL DID service
do you support the SIP Broker PSTN Gateway
do you support eNum, iNum and SIP to SIP
how do you bill in Minutes or in Seconds intervals
are USA toll free #'s free of any charge or fee
do you notify users of rate changes
is there a incoming minutes limit
if a call goes unanswered or is busy is there any charge or fee
thank you
Pardon me for butting in, but:
A whole thread could be devoted to selecting a VoIP service provider, independent of whether you want to use it with your OBi or not.
The questions to ask, posted previously, might make sense for a technically-inclined enthusiast, but the poster was asking about use for an alarm system and for faxes. I cringe when I see people discussing this without considering the risks.
For your alarm system, do you really want to bet your safety on the cheapest provider you can find? If you need maximum reliability, I'd argue that you should keep a traditional POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) local telco voice line, or, change to a monitored system that uses a cellular connection. If you are willing to sacrifice some reliability for cost, then sure, use a VoIP provider, or switch to NextAlarm (which uses your broadband internet connection), but keep in mind that it won't work if your power is out or cut, or your ISP goes down. This is the main reason I have kept a "legacy POTS" line.
That said, I have used a lot of different VoIP services over the years, and I am currently using Callcentric's pay-per-minute offering for voice calling and faxing. It would be the next best choice for an alarm monitoring service connection, given the disclaimers above, and you could provision an OBi 110's phone line (FXO) port to use Callcentric (along with, or instead of, Google Voice), or buy a different Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) to use just for that purpose.
For extra safety: if you choose this option, at least hook up all your gear (ISP modem, router, Obi) to a good UPS.
You may know this, but monitored alarm systems (should) use a specially-wired RJ-31X exclusion phone jack, such that the (telco or VoIP) phone line is connected to THIS jack first, then the alarm panel's telco line plugs into the RJ-31X, and any other phones on the premises are wired downstream from this jack. This allows the alarm panel to "seize" the line when it needs to call the monitoring center, disconnecting any other phones that might be off-hook, when it's using the line.
SteveInWA, please keep in mind that anyone in this forum has made a choice to use VoIP, so lectures about the supposed safety of POTS lines are probably not going to be well received, and in some areas that's a myth anyway. Particularly in certain former GTE/Verizon areas, the traditional phone service is LESS reliable than the broadband service.
Remember that if some drunk driver takes out a utility pole, or a careless backhoe operator snags an underground phone cable, your landline phone service can be interrupted. Also, intruders have been known to cut phone lines before entering a home. Therefore, if one really needs an alarm system and for whatever reason doesn't trust their broadband service, probably the best option would be one that uses cellular service to communicate and is connected to a good battery backup power supply. And even that isn't 100% guaranteed, as cell sites require power to operate, and they are vulnerable to tornadoes and even possible hit by aircraft.
In short, you can't have absolutely safety, and for many folks their broadband service may be no less reliable than the (in some areas aging and poorly-maintained) landline infrastructure.
I had the same question, so you need a sip provider to use google voice? Answer is no
Right now Im using the obi for inbound and outbound for 2 google voice accts (no sip provider configed on the obi) but I do have 2 sip accts configed on my linksys
I'm using sipgate.com for a free sip provider, they provide (ed) a real, dialable by a reg phone, phone number, not sure if they are still have any
Quote from: GC_convertee on May 15, 2011, 12:31:10 PM
I had the same question, so you need a sip provider to use google voice? Answer is no
Right now Im using the obi for inbound and outbound for 2 google voice accts (no sip provider configed on the obi) but I do have 2 sip accts configed on my linksys
I'm using sipgate.com for a free sip provider, they provide (ed) a real, dialable by a reg phone, phone number, not sure if they are still have any
They still have numbers in the 415 area code. I set up 2 on my kids phones. One is an Android 2.2 and one is iPhone 4.1. they both have the same problem though, you hear everything repeated on both ends of the conversation. I guess you get what you pay for. Might do better on an ATA.