Is $12.41 ($149/12 mo) best avail deal after promo period is over?

**biomesh** · 08-10-2011 06:52 PM

You need to have your voipo number forward to google voice and google needs to forward to google chat. From there you will use your Obi100/110 to login to google voice to make and receive calls.

http://obihai.com/googlevoice.html

**LoadStar** · 08-11-2011 05:01 PM

You're not missing anything, colo303.

Forwarded Local Service would be useful for those who want to keep a telephone number, yet not necessarily have a real telephone line attached to it. When used with Google Voice, it would be most useful if you have at least one other telephone line, such as a cell phone, work number, or whatever, where you can receive Google Voice phone calls. Put simply, it's sort of a make-shift way of "virtually" porting your number to Google Voice when Google won't allow it to be ported in.

(Technically, I understand that there are some ways of using Google Voice without another telephone line, but that's not the way the service is typically used.)

**colo303** · 08-12-2011 12:09 AM

(Technically, I understand that there are some ways of using Google Voice without another telephone line, but that's not the way the service is typically used.)

Yes, that is what I would like to know about. I only have one telephone now and want to keep that number but get away from Vonage. An earlier post said that I could transport to VOIPo using the call forward service to Google Voice...but then what has to be done to make it work with a single phone?

**LoadStar** · 08-12-2011 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by colo303

Yes, that is what I would like to know about. I only have one telephone now and want to keep that number but get away from Vonage. An earlier post said that I could transport to VOIPo using the call forward service to Google Voice...but then what has to be done to make it work with a single phone?

I think your best option in that case would be to look at a device like the OBi110, which can connect to Google Voice.
http://www.amazon.com/OBi110-Service...3151568&sr=8-1

It may also be possible to simply answer the calls using your computer through Google Chat.

I'm not 100% on either method. You're probably going to be on your own trying to rig it up and get it to work.

**holmes4** · 08-12-2011 11:47 AM

You can simply port your number from Vonage to VoIPo as if it were a normal landline. I and many others have done this. No need for complications.

**colo303** · 08-14-2011 01:52 PM

My question still has not been answered...and I realize that some of you may not have read all the posts in this thread, so I will try to summarize the situation.

I have been with Vonage almost 6yrs starting with the 500 min/mo plan. They increased this to 750/min and also increased the price to ~$29/mo (20+4fees+5 taxes). This is about a 53% increase over the last two and a half years. Too much with not especially friendly customer service.

In researching other providers, VOIOo seemed about the best (competitive pricing and very good and timely respones from the owner of the company. So I was ready to transport my number (had it for several years and don't want to go through the hassle of getting a new number) and get the $15/mo plan (total $18 with taxes). This is about a 38% savings, not counting the unlimited minutes and the better service.

But then I read this forum -- see post #6:

Originally Posted by khantpr

What I have is their Forwarded Local Service (http://www.voipo.com/local-voip-number.shtml) which is $4.95/month and I use the Obi110 ATA (http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html...=A4VT9X8JBKS16) which is $49.99 one time charge.

I have configured the SIP account on VOIPo and set-up SIP account on Obi110 SP2 for incoming only and its been working flawlesslessly. I use Google Voice for outbound and inbound calls on SP1 using Obi110.

This sounded even better. Checking out google voice, it appears that those incoming calls would have to be forwarded - but I only have the ONE number. And if I list that, it will just create a loop. The above post (#6) didn't specify if a second phone was need or not.

So, is a second phone needed to forwaqrd calls or does the Obi110 handle this for me? And if so, How?

The other thing too is that while waiting for answers on this forum, I called Vonage Customer Service (couldn't change my plan on line) and they can change my plan to 300 min/mo ($17/19 with fees and taxes). Comparing regular service: Vonage $17/19 and VOIPo @ $18, (the difference in price isn't worth the change and don't need more than the 300 min/mo that Vonage offers) the easiest solution would be to stay with Vonage unless I can make the $4.95/mo call forward plan work

If so, can someone let me know how this is done? ? ?
Thanks in advance

**biomesh** · 08-15-2011 08:13 AM

You only need to forward to your voipo number to your google voice number which would be configured to forward to google chat. From there you would need an Obi 100/110 configured to use google voice. That's it.

**colo303** · 08-16-2011 07:25 AM

Thank you so much for the explanation ... Didn't know about googe chat until now. I'll be switching from Vonage to VOIPo and saving ~$24/25 month. Thanks again!!!

**biomesh** · 08-16-2011 08:37 AM

The following link on the Obihai website explains all you need to do in detail. There is also a lot of good information in their support forums.

http://obihai.com/googlevoice.html

**tomk** · 08-18-2011 10:39 AM

You may have already made your choice, but currently VoipO is offering 24 months for $149 plus fees for the next 17 hours. I just renewed my VoipO service that was up for renewal next month. With $36 in taxes and fees the total for me was $185 for 24 months, or $7.71 per month.

I have regular VoipO service and not "Forwarded Local Service". With the regular service you can forward your phone line to another line, or you can have it simultaneously ring both your regular number and an alternate number. I use it to also ring my cellphone. I am not sure what the features are for Forwarded Local Service, but for the regular service you can also easily route numbers such as marketing calls, political calls, etc., to either busy, disconnected message, etc. Plus you get voicemail for those you don't answer which then sends you an email message with any message that was left. And while I have not used it, Regular service also includes 60 minutes of international calls to covered areas.

Even assuming that both services have the same features, you may find that the transition to Vonage to VoipO may go more smoothly if you get regular service and forward it.

Good luck regardless of which method you use.

Tom