VoIP Without a Handset?

[#1]

With the move to SOGEA/FTTP, more are giving up their landline phones. This is fine for outgoing calls using a mobile but I would imagine that some callers would try to make contact via the defunct landline number. Hence this query:

My understanding is, taking A&A as an example, to port a quarantined number to A&A within 30 days costs £12. There is then an account charge of £1,44 a month, incoming calls are free? Are there any other charges?

Is it possible to transfer any incoming VoIP calls to a registered mobile number without needing a handset? This would remove the need for an ATA or DECT phone. With A&A accounts being monthly this would, if it is achievable, provide a safety net for little money for as long as necessary.

[#2]

@Baldrick1 

You would need a VOIP provider simply to have a registered number.

I believe A&A offer a VoiceMail option whereby details of the incoming call are e-mailed to you (with a transcription I think). You can then use your mobile to reply. Might be good during power cuts too as you would eventually get the e-mail.

I understand there are also Apps which work as a phone with a VOIP line. You install the App, set up your details and then use the App to answer / make calls. I have no App names to suggest.

Brian

[#3]

I believe call forwarding from an A&A VOIP number would result in significant call charges, check their tariffs!

As for the answerphone service, that works well and is free. Any messages left arrive as a sound file (MP3 I think) attachment to an email. There is definitely no charge for this.

[#4]

@Baldrick1 

That's an interesting question and one I look forward to replies.

On a personal level I no longer require access to a landline since the only persons I knew would struggle with mobiles were my parents who are no longer with us.

Will the money saved by the BT group be used to expedite the role-out of full fibre to everyone?

[#5]

@Baldrick1 

Is it possible to transfer any incoming VoIP calls to a registered mobile number without needing a handset?

Yes, its possible to transfer unanswered calls to a mobile BUT as @HPsauce says you pay for the transferred call at voip mobile rates , currently 4p/minute. You can actually transfer calls to any number, it doesnt have to be pre-registered, you just set it in the voip control panel.

The most cost effective option is probably leave the setting so that unanswered calls go to voicemail and result in the email notification as @bmc says. 

I use zoiper https://www.zoiper.com/ occasionally as a voip app. So if you wanted to actually receive calls at some times, then just fire up the app (assuming its already configured for your a & a account) , calls will then be accepted by the app. Shutdown the app and they'll go back to voicemail

[#6]

Just give A&A a call; I'm sure they'll be happy to explain the details of their VoIP service to you.

[#7]

Let me precis the replies to what I hope is factually correct. Please shout up if I have misunderstood.

With the move to SOGEA/FTTP, more are giving up their landline phones. Some callers may not be aware of the change and try to make contact via the defunct landline number.

Possible options if there is no long term need to keep a landline number active and to ensure in the shorter term that these calls are not lost follows. This assumes there is no desire to purchase an ATA/DECT handset This is based on services available from A&A as described in the opening post.:

1. Log into the A&A Control Pages and set the Answerphone to always on and add an email address. The message will be emailed to you.

2. Log into the A&A Control Pages and set incoming calls to be transferred to a mobile phone. Incoming calls will be charged at the outgoing mobile phone rate of 4p per minute.

3.Download the free Zoiper app on a device of your choice, Use this in place of a DECT handset. This will probably put a significant drain on the subject device battery.

4. Using the Zoiper app as above, ring in to the A&A message control settings and change the greeting message to something like "This phone number is no longer active, please ring 07xxxxxxx”.The Zoiper app can then be removed.

[#8]

Interesting thread, something I have been considering.

Previously I have used 3cx app for incoming calls with VoIP.

Regarding point 3, although the battery usage may increase I would not expect it to be significant as the app should be running in the background along with many others.

Dan.

[#9]

I've tried Zoiper and it doesn't run in the background, something to do with Apple restrictions on access to particular functions that VOIP needs. Right PITA in fact. 😖

[#10]

@Baldrick1  You should consider the Acrobits Softphone app which enables you to receive and make Voip calls from a mobile handset. From what I have read on other forum sites it works well and doesn't drain the mobile battery as it relies on push notifications to wake up the app when an incoming call arrives. Zoiper has been mentioned but it has problems, particularly not running in the background.

The best bit is Acrobits Softphone is on a 50% reduction special offer at the moment, one off cost £3.99. No ongoing charges.

I'm going to test it on my PAYG  Sipgate Basic Account which is still going although no longer available to new customers.

Got to be worth a try at that price.😀

[#11]

The problem with push notifications is that you are sending your sip credentials to a third party server. In the case of Acrobits this is US  based...

[#12]

@MisterW  I would presume that you consider that to be a security problem, why? My Apple account is probably US based, Sipgate is in Germany.  Who would be interested in my Sip credentials?

[#13]

With your credentials, anyone can make phone calls on your account and run up huge bills. With A & A  you can lock registration to an IP . So if you have a static IP you can restrict access.

[#14]

@MisterW  I'm not too worried, my Sipgate PAYG account has a current value of about £15 so no huge bills likely.😊

[#15]

That's fine but with an A & A account you have to have a direct debit,  You get charged monthly for all calls made rather than have a prepaid credit.   Yes you can set some limits but you have to do that pro actively.