Convert POTS to VOIP

[alanmeyer]

Hello,

I recently signed up for Voipo. Other than some noise issues just after the installation (resolved), it is working well.

When I signed up, I decided to keep my existing AT&T POTS number. So, I have this new number with voipo that is my new main home number, and I want to get everyone that I know to stop using the old number and move over to my new number. I know that this won't happen overnight, so I am considering moving my AT&T number over to voipo as a virtual number.

My issue is that I don't want to keep my old number forever; I want to keep it for say 12 months and then release it. So to facilitate that transition, I will need a *separate* voice mail for that line so that I can leave the outgoing message as "Hi, this is my old number, please dial xxx instead.". One option is to keep AT&T, but that's the most expensive route.

If I have Voipo move my old number over, will I get separate voice mails for the 2 lines, and will I be able to cancel the AT&T number after, say, 12 months?

Is what I described my best option? BTW, my wife says "just cancel AT&T and forget about the old number", which I'm also considering at this point.

Thanks in advance,
-Alan

[VOIPoBrandon]

Alan,

Great questions! We are definitely able to accommodate your request with a few different options. Both options involving porting your old phone number over into our network to relieve you of the high cost from AT&T.

Option A
---
We are able to port in your old AT&T phone number as a "virtual number" into your account. What this means is that when people call this old phone number it will also ring into your VOIPo device seamlessly. Also you have the ability to assign it a custom voicemail box which also means a custom / separate voicemail greeting. Where you will be able to say "This is an old phone number, please reach me at my new phone number XYZ going forward". All minute usage is included, which probably makes this your best option of the two.

Option B
---
We are able to port in your old phone number into one of our express accounts. You will then be able to forward this phone number to any other phone number in or out of our network. Minute usage is billed by the minute for any calls / usage incurred on the phone number.

Both of these options will allow you to send calls to this phone number to an alternate / separate voicemail box & greeting.

What are the costs?

You are able to secure the virtual phone number (Option A) at $3.95/month or $24.00/year.

You are able to secure the forward only phone number (Option B) at $4.95/month or $36.00/year. This option includes 300 minutes per calendar month and any overages will be billed at $0.025/minute.

If you have any additional questions feel free to give us a call during normal business hours (9am - 7pm CST) at 877-99-VOIPO or 949-829-4200 and someone will be more than happy to further assist you.
________
Pregnant vintage

[alanmeyer]

Hi Brandon,

Thanks so much for the detailed description. I believe that you've given me enough details that I now understand the options. One question that I have is if Option A allows me to set the calls (on the old AT&T number only) direct to voicemail, or do I have to hear the rings on my phone first? That is, I plan to allow the old number to ring thru for a while (weeks) and then eventually switch it to go directly to voice mail so that I only ever get the voicemail message, and not hear it ring anymore.

BTW, I would have called to get this question answered but I chose to use the forum so that hopefully others will benefit from what you've taught me.

Best,
-Alan

[VOIPoBrandon]

Alan,

Yet another great question! Due to the way our network is designed, that is one of the downsides of Option A - the call would simply ring to the same phone hooked up and would only go to voicemail upon any normal conditions that would send it there, i.e. no answer, network failover, etc.

This would not be a problem with Option B. With Option B you are able to specify the amount of rings until the phone number goes into the mailbox, which you can simply set to "0", and it will go directly into the voicemail box.

Please do feel free to ask any questions via any medium of support we offer, we are here for you!
________
William bushnell stout

[MisterEd]

One question that I have is if Option A allows me to set the calls (on the old AT&T number only) direct to voicemail, or do I have to hear the rings on my phone first? That is, I plan to allow the old number to ring thru for a while (weeks) and then eventually switch it to go directly to voice mail so that I only ever get the voicemail message, and not hear it ring anymore.

@alanmeyer

How about option "C". Take the virtual number and make it a free standing number using the "2nd line" option available under "beta" in VPanel. This will assign phone port 2 of the ATA for your ported ATT number. Same fee as the virtual number, have your own voicemail and all the Voipo features.

Best part is you can have that line 2 ONLY go to it's separate voicemail and never hear it ring or forward it to any other number or apply any routes you want. Cost is the same as the virtual number.

That's what I have and it works great.

[alanmeyer]

@alanmeyer

How about option "C". Take the virtual number and make it a free standing number using the "2nd line" option available under "beta" in VPanel. This will assign phone port 2 of the ATA for your ported ATT number. Same fee as the virtual number, have your own voicemail and all the Voipo features.

Best part is you can have that line 2 ONLY go to it's separate voicemail and never hear it ring or forward it to any other number or apply any routes you want. Cost is the same as the virtual number.

That's what I have and it works great.

This seems pretty much what I'm looking for, but I would be lying if I told you that I properly understand the beta panel. I just looked at it, but I don't see where you would set up the virtual number.

However, my bigger question is: What do I do to transfer the number? That is, in transferring the number and paying for the service do I have an up-front decision to make at the point I place the order, or is it just a configuration setting?

[usa2k]

Option C is $4.95/month or $36.00/year as a Forwarded service.
Option C is $3.95/month or $24.00/year added to Residential

Actually that is the Forwarded versus Virtual(Non-toll free) Number.
Dedicated 2nd line thru Beta is a free option to make the two lines work independently.
Otherwise they are "cloned" lines.

Hanging a second cheap phone off the 2nd line would be one way to hear it ring. You can set the CID to show your new primary line when you dial from that line, so you don't untrain people.

I would not broadcast on a VM your new phone number. The one's you really care about, you will surely tell!

[MisterEd]

Option C is $4.95/month or $36.00/year as a Forwarded service.
Option C is $3.95/month or $24.00/year added to Residential

You mean "Option "B" is $4.95 ........
"Option C" is $3.95 ......

[usa2k]

To transfer, email support@voipo.com and explain you want to do LNP (Line Number Portability) for xxx-xxx-xxxx to add as a Virtual number. They will likely send you a form to be filled out and faxed.

I cannot recall if there is simply a web interface for it?
They have become very efficient at the follow-through and completion.
Don't cancel the old service until the transfer is complete and working!

[MisterEd]

This seems pretty much what I'm looking for, but I would be lying if I told you that I properly understand the beta panel. I just looked at it, but I don't see where you would set up the virtual number.

However, my bigger question is: What do I do to transfer the number? That is, in transferring the number and paying for the service do I have an up-front decision to make at the point I place the order, or is it just a configuration setting?

First you need to purchase a virtual number.

Go to "FEATURES" Tab then "Virtual numbers" on the bar below it and purchase a VN.

Then go to "Beta" tab then the "2nd Line" option on the bar below it.

Then contact Voipo to port your AT&T number to the 2nd line to replace the former virtual number. You can port the number any time after you create the virtual number. It could be same day or 6 months later or never. If you never port it you will simply have a second line with a 2nd Voipo number.

You now have two fully independent lines using the Line 1 and Line 2 ports on the back of the ATA.