Re: [PLUG] VOIP choices

[Jon Wolfe via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>]

*** Sorry, resending to the list. ***

I'm also very happy with voip.ms, recommended by our Jonathan D.

1. Check that number can be ported:
https://voip.ms/m/didporting.php
2. Create an account:
https://voip.ms/
3. Follow the wiki to transfer the number:
https://wiki.voip.ms/article/Porting_a_US_Number
4. At some point you need to put some money in the account using paypal or a credit card (minimum $15).
    I don't know if you can wait until the number is ported. They say that porting is free.
    Once the number is ported you can already set up an answering machine.
5. Softphone - they have an app for Android/iPhone but there are also Zoiper and others apps.
https://wiki.voip.ms/article/VoIP.ms_Softphone
6. Optional - buy a VoIP phone. My first was a cheap Chinese brand Yealink. The firmware is not very good.
I'm happier with the Siemens DECT phone C610. I'm not sure what brands are available in the US.

I also setup a PBX using a Lenovo ThinClient I bought on eBay and FreePBX. My understanding is that this is not necessary if you only want a single extension. In my case it is useful because I am also able to route my normal land line (two trunks) and setup multiple extensions. Mostly once it is setup you don't need to do much fiddling, but of course there are always software updates. I'm sure I spent at least a week learning about the software but I am also doing things like sending SMS messages to XMPP. The "language" is weird. Imagine using .ini files for a programming language.

On 10/7/25 03:04, R Geoffrey Avery via plug wrote:

It seems my parents will be moving, and just transferring their land line number of almost 40 years is not an option.  As that number is their "username" with many businesses by this point, I would rather it not get lost.

What are the better choices to move the number without much fuss?

I would prefer that it ring like a land line at the house, but they both have android phones now so an app solution can work too.

$8 - $15 / month and maybe $100 up front on hardware seems reasonable

I want to just set it and forget it and not need to provide support

The DuckDuckGo has not been as helpful as I had hoped.

In no particular order I have looked at

Google Voice

Voiply

Line2

Ooma

Vonage

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___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group         --        http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion  --   http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug