Clark Shah-Nelsons Ed Tech Tips

Converged Phone Number / VOIP Solutions

April 10th, 2009

Here are some of the things I’ve currently be using: (in a non-cellular region ie. no iPhone or the like:)

• Gizmo5 – very much like Skype, and supports porting your number. Cost is similar to Skype, but it also works with other instant messengers. Calls can be forwarded to Skype, GoogleTalk, and other places.
• Gtalk2VOIP – turns out this little Russian invention will allow you to receive SIP calls in Gmail’s Chat window (if you have the audio/video plugin installed) – even though they “only support using the GoogleTalk application” which is only for PCs (and they actually went as far as to say “use Google Voice or don’t use it at all” which was rather annoying…) Anyway, I found that if I set up their service and used it on the Mac in Gmail chat, I can receive calls to my 718 SIP# – for up to 3 minutes for free. Turns out they also have a “follow me” number you can set, and if you use an SIP URI, it will forward to that for free if you don’t answer the Gtalk call.
• Skype – of course, for skype to skype calls. And SkypeOut is reasonable at under $30 for unlimited calling to land lines and call forwarding. But SMS is too expensive, there’s no way to port a number to Skype.
• Google Voice: Speaking of SIP URI’s, Google Voice just took over from where GrandCentral left off, and is looking good, as you can have 1 number ring all your other numbers. GV has an SIP URI you can plug into the GTalk2voip Follow Me field, so that calls are routed to your Google Voice number, or, your Gizmo5 number which also supports SIP URI.

Ok, confused yet? I’ll map it out:

• Someone calls my old 718 # from a land line.
• This actually calls my SIP number at Inphonex.com
• It rings me in Gmail chat – thanks to Gtalk2Voip connecting to my SIP provider (free up to 3 min.)
• If I refuse or don’t answer, it forwards to my SIP URI. Let’s say that’s set to my Gizmo5 SIP URI. (free)
• If I don’t answer there, it’s set to forward to my Skype name. (free up to 3 min.)
• If I don’t answer there, it’s set to forward to my GoogleVoice number. (free)
• That will ring my cell, office, home or other number.

It’s all pretty dumb, but it seems to work, and that way if I’m running around here or there, one can just dial 1 number and it should track me down.

If or when Google Voice starts allowing number porting, and receiving calls in Gtalk, I will port my 718 # to GV, drop inphonex, save some money, and then I’ll have 1 converged number which I’ve been using for years, and can simultaneously ring my cell, office, Gtalk, Gizmo5 (and thus, Skype). I’m actually glad Skype doesn’t allow number portability, as I might have ported my number there previously and been stuck. Notice that among them, currently I’m paying for SkypeOut and for Inphonex. Once GV allows porting, I should be able to drop the Inphonex and only pay for SkypeOut to have full coverage. Whew. Is there anything more boring than this blog post?

Entry Filed under: Audio,VOIP and Communications