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story category Google Voice Lets You Use Your Existing Number
Google makes a play for your existing voicemail
07:57AM Tuesday Oct 27 2009 by Karl Bode
tags: business · alternatives · VoIP · content · consumers
Previously, Google Voice required that you create a new number for use with the platform, which allows you to manage multiple numbers while offering services like voicemail transcription and free SMS. According to a post over at the Google blog, you can now use your existing number with the service, though not all functionality will work -- such as automated voicemail transcription, call recording, and different voicemail greetings for different callers. As we discussed the other day, many people don't understand yet how products like Google Voice will seriously disrupt the traditional phone empire, and leeching voicemail functionality away from the telcos continues the evolution.

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Forums » Google Voice Lets You Use Your Existing Number
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r81984
Thread is
Premium
join:2001-11-14
St John'S, NL

Limitations?

I wonder why they limit services for numbers ported into google voice.
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csnyder

join:2007-09-10
Grand Rapids, MI

Re: Limitations?

As far as I can tell, the feature they announced today isn't number porting. Instead, it appears that you configure it by changing the call-forwarding settings on your cell phone to forward to GV instead of your provider's voicemail system.

r81984
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1 edit

Re: Limitations?

Google voicemail is better than any carrier VM. Emailing you the voicemail and the transcription is great.
I would not mind setting up an account that takes over for my carrier VM.
--
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dfxmatt

join:2007-08-21
Evanston, IL

Re: Limitations?

if you do this just remember to request that your cellphone provider either turns off your voicemail or sets it to like 8-10 rings before answering. Otherwise google voice might not actually pick up the voicemail part in time.

NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo

Re: Limitations?


Google Voice now has this on my home screen
said by dfxmatt See Profile :

if you do this just remember to request that your cellphone provider either turns off your voicemail or sets it to like 8-10 rings before answering. Otherwise google voice might not actually pick up the voicemail part in time.
Google voicemail prompts you to "call forward" no answer to your Google Voice Number if you have a GV account so it answers immediately once it sees the call. There is no delay that way.

Downside: If I dial *71 plus my GV number - calls will forward to it after a preset number of rings from my carrier.
All calls when busy will also go there.
What you lose: Call waiting. If you forward off net to GV using the *71 command,whenever your phone is busy, it will always go to their voicemail. To me, that is a downside.
My carrier is Verizon.
dfxmatt

join:2007-08-21
Evanston, IL


1 edit

Re: Limitations?

umm, when I have GV and my old voicemail active, by the 4th ring it'd pick up on my voicemail and it wouldn't go to GV. I have no idea why that is.

meanwhile, what are you talking about with call waiting?

if I get one call on GV and then get another, you can see the 2nd call coming in. The only reason you can't see who it is is so you can use your verizon friends & family for the #

NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo

Re: Limitations?

said by dfxmatt See Profile :

meanwhile, what are you talking about with call waiting?

There are two services you are confusing.

If a caller calls you on your google voice number and it goes to your cell phone, that is NOT what this new feature is talking about.
Under those circumstances, you will receive the first call and if you answer it and receive a second call - yes you will see the second incoming call and you can answer it or let it go to your carriers voicemail system as designed or to your google voicemail box depending on what answer options you have selected in your google voice profile.

Separate feature:

What this feature is talking about is if people do not have your google voice number (maybe because you don't want them to have it) but you have a google voice number -confused yet ?- there is a way to make your cell forward to a google voice mailbox that will answer and take/transcribe messages for you.
With Verizon, their instructions were to invoke the *71 command which sends:
Calls after they ring on your cell to the google voicemail system NOT the voicemail system for Verizon.
It also sends ALL calls to this same destination upon busy.
So if I have selected to have Google Voice answer calls forwarded from my cell to them, I have effectively shut off call waiting on my Verizon phone.
I can receive the first call but if I am talking on the phone, Verizon's system will send all subsequent calls to the *71 Forwarding destination until I cancel it with *73.)
niblifar

join:2004-02-12
Ohio
Does this incur charges from one's carrier?
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo

Re: Limitations?

said by niblifar See Profile :

Does this incur charges from one's carrier?
Yes, each carrier is different. Verizon charges to forward the call as if it were air time for the duration of the person leaving the message.
Last I knew, Sprint Charges 20 cents a minute for all calls forwarded off their system (can get pricey).

The others - I know not what they charge.

You pay to call and get the message in airtime when you use your carriers voice mail in the form of minutes and you will do likewise with Google Voice.
Necronomikro

join:2005-09-01

Re: Limitations?

AT&T takes it off of your minutes. The only reason why I didn't do this before they officially started 'supporting' it.

A number port would still be better.

NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo


1 edit

Re: Limitations?

said by Necronomikro See Profile :

AT&T takes it off of your minutes. The only reason why I didn't do this before they officially started 'supporting' it.

A number port would still be better.
Yes and I don't like losing my call waiting. I use that a lot.

EDIT: Now call waiting works when using the *71 code.

burgerwars

join:2004-09-11
Northridge, CA
·voip.ms
·RoadRunner Cable


1 edit
said by Necronomikro See Profile :

AT&T takes it off of your minutes. The only reason why I didn't do this before they officially started 'supporting' it.

A number port would still be better.
Agree. If one uses a prepaid phone, they'll see minutes used up faster than if they just used their cellphone carriers voicemail (which is usually no charge if you don't answer or if your cellphone is off).

NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo


1 edit

Re: Limitations?

said by burgerwars See Profile :

said by Necronomikro See Profile :

AT&T takes it off of your minutes. The only reason why I didn't do this before they officially started 'supporting' it.

A number port would still be better.
Agree. If one uses a prepaid phone, they'll see minutes used up faster than if they just used their cellphone carriers voicemail (which is usually no charge if you don't answer or if your cellphone is off).
Until Google creates their own wireless carrier...........

Vchat20
Landing is the REAL challenge

join:2003-09-16
Warren, OH
clubs:

As I read in a thread on the GV help boards from an official google employee, it's not really porting the number over rather than having unanswered/busy/unavailable/etc calls forwarded directly to GV than the provider's own voicemail service.

My guess is if you decide to sign up initially with just your mobile number and if your provider is listed in their supported list, the voicemail number tied to your cellphone will be forwarded to one of google's generic access numbers (ie: 1-777-222-5333 or something akin to that) and then go from there. Downside being is if your mobile phone account is somehow shut off, your GV service goes with it unless you get a separate GV specific number as well at that time.

As far as why the features are limited I dunno, but I am going to half assume it is technical limitations with relying on your mobile number as the main GV number.
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Mr Matt

join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL
·Comcast
·Embarq

Sometimes you are better off getting an new GV number.

When I signed up for Google Voice, there were no Google Voice Numbers in my home city Eustis, Florida. I was able to get a G.V. number in Clermont, Florida a rate center that is a local call from Orlando and my home city Eustis. My home number is a toll call from Orlando. So by getting a new number from Google Voice, friends on a land line, in Orlando can call my home toll free. Furthermore if one gets a new Google Voice Number they can point it wherever they want while using their old home number to bypass Google Voice.

Another reason for choosing a new G.V. Number was that I was planning on purchasing a Magic Jack, unfortunately there are no Magic Jack Telephone Numbers that are a local call from a Eustis, Florida Land Line. I can get a Magic Jack number in Orlando, Florida and point my new Google Voice Number to my Magic Jack Number. Friends in Eustis can call the G.V. Number in Clermont and reach my Magic Jack Number in Orlando without paying a toll charge. If I leave my Google Voice Number pointed to my home telephone number any friends in Orlando using a land line can call my Google Voice Number and reach my home phone number without paying a toll charge. I would think twice about porting my home phone number to G.V. Another feature of G.V. is that I can point my G.V. number to my home number while I am residing at home and my Magic Jack or Mobile Number while traveling.
ISurfTooMuch

join:2007-04-23
Tuscaloosa, AL

Re: Sometimes you are better off getting an new GV number.

Wow, that forwarding setup is so complex that I got tired just reading about it.

But seriously, why not have GV ring all your numbers, no matter if you're at home or traveling? You can just answer the one that's most convenient at the time. No reason to have to keep turning forwarding on or off.
thunder15

join:2008-01-18
Chicago, IL

2 edits
Have you tried Nettalk.com ???
Unlike the magicjack, it doesn't require a computer to call.
They are still a new company with many bumps to iron out, but I like the product so far. A little costlier than magicjack, but cheaper than ooma.

wave_sailor

join:2001-04-23
Bloomingdale, NJ
clubs:

1 edit

Forgot

They forgot to mention if you have an existing number with them, it will cost $10 to change to use your existing mobile number.

MxxCon

join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY
clubs:


1 edit

Re: Forgot

they did not forget to mention it because it has nothing to do with today's story.

Changing your Google Voice number is different from forwarding your regular phone's voicemail to Google Voice.

Furthermore, $10 you are talking about is if you want to change your existing Google Voice number to another Google Voice number.
NOT to port-in your existing number to Google Voice.

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padishar

join:2002-05-06
Lexington, KY

Youmail?

Youmail has been doing this exact thing for a few years. You set up your voicemail to be forwarded to their servers instead of your phone provider. You can then check it on your phone, they can send you an email with the voicemail as an mp3 attachment, they can send you a text message, and they have had voice message translation for a while. They also have distinctive voicemail messages based on caller groups\individuals. Everything except translation is free. I've been using them for 2+ years and have zero complaints. The website is www.youmail.com
dfxmatt

join:2007-08-21
Evanston, IL

Re: Youmail?

youmail does a lot less than GV. Hell, even phonefusion does better than youmail.

Also, I don't seem to remember transcription being free. It has a charge, IIRC.
padishar

join:2002-05-06
Lexington, KY

Re: Youmail?

Not saying youmail is better than GV, just saying this type of functionality has been available for awhile, and doesn't cost $10 to use if you've already picked a GV number. Also, I said "Everything except translation is free...".
dfxmatt

join:2007-08-21
Evanston, IL

Re: Youmail?

the thing is, everything other than translation is free by tons and tons of visual voicemail/call forwarding "providers". I apologize if this seems like an attack or something.

phonefusion, youmail, google voice, tmobile, fusion, gotvoice, none of this is new. Not to mention that even paid transcriptions are basically either a: crap/unreliable or b: done by hand, which presents its own privacy issues. Google's is no different and has gotten approximately 1 out of 25 voicemails transcribed accurately.

NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo

Re: Youmail?

said by dfxmatt See Profile :

the thing is, everything other than translation is free by tons and tons of visual voicemail/call forwarding "providers". I apologize if this seems like an attack or something.

phonefusion, youmail, google voice, tmobile, fusion, gotvoice, none of this is new. Not to mention that even paid transcriptions are basically either a: crap/unreliable or b: done by hand, which presents its own privacy issues. Google's is no different and has gotten approximately 1 out of 25 voicemails transcribed accurately.
I think it depends on the comfort level of the people using the system. If I never give out my cell and convince people that my GV IS my cell, I never have to circumvent my carriers voicemail if I set it up to answer correctly in GV.

If I give out both and expect GV to answer both with different sets of rules, that is where it seems to fall apart.

After 15 minutes of exhaustive testing ( ) I think I'll stick with my current arrangement.

Those close to me get my real cell, those at arms length and business people get my GV number.
That works for me.

Gbcue
E.I.T.
Premium
join:2001-09-30
Santa Rosa, CA
clubs:
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It's good except...

That the # of rings before GV VM picks up, at least for me, is 8-10 rings!

»Google Voice Voicemail Number of Rings
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ArgMeMatey

join:2001-08-09
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·AT&T Midwest


1 edit

Welcome development, but not amazing

As far as I can tell they are just watching the incoming SS7 ISUP for an indication that the original called number was my cell phone number, and when they get that call, they don't ring my "source" cell phone, but they still ring all the other ones.

When I enabled GV voicemail for my GV-registered cell phone, it just told me to enter this number on my cell phone *74XXX-XXX-XXXX, where the Xs denote my GV number. *74 is the VSAC for Call Forward - No Answer. So that just tells my carrier's switch to forward unanswered calls for my cell phone number, to my GV number.

As previously mentioned, however, if I don't answer my cell phone number, the call then rings about 4 times at the other numbers I checked for GV.

Now, let's say I am away from home and my family calls my cell phone from our home phone, which is also selected on the GV ring list. If I don't answer my cell phone, there is just one additional ring before it goes GV voicemail, and the caller does not hear a Call Waiting beep on the home phone.

If they would change the programming so it does not ring 8-10 times for all calls using this function, or give us a choice, that would be great. Maybe somebody more familiar with switch translations can comment on whether that's possible without creating a lot more problems.

Also, when used for mobile CF-NA with an existing GV number, GV does transcribe the messages and send an e-mail. The blog language on that issue was ambiguous.
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Lazlow

join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO

How long to get the service?

I just went to the web page and it said that I needed an invite. The invite section said that the service was not yet available. Does anybody know how long it is between asking for an invite and getting one?

Thanks

w0g
o.O

join:2001-08-30
Portland, OR
clubs:

Re: How long to get the service?

Invite sent - enjoy.
Lazlow

join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO

Re: How long to get the service?

w0g

Many thanks.
tmc8080

join:2004-04-24
Floral Park, NY

spare a couple of mins?

For whatever reason google voice only lets you make a 3 min call to landlines.. seriously, can you spare the extra 2 minutes please..?

SteveLV702
Premium
join:2004-04-22
Henderson, NV
·Clearwire

landlines

now just need to add the ability to use Google Voicemail with Landlines so can use with my Home Phone I already have it sort of setup its not ideal cause when someone calls my home number it rings a few times and then forwards to my google voice number which it asks for their name and then rings all my phones yet again..... Before finally sending them to voicemail...

hurleyp

join:2000-06-20
Ottawa, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed


1 edit

Re: landlines

"...seriously disrupt the traditional phone empire" That I'd love to see.

Unfortunately it's only available in the US.

--
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rastamonsta

join:2002-04-21
Seattle, WA

Would it be okay to ask for an invite?

can anyone spare an invite please?

rastamonsta1@yahoo.com

Thanks!
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w0g
o.O

join:2001-08-30
Portland, OR
clubs:

Re: Would it be okay to ask for an invite?

I have one invite left, it's yours! Enjoy..

Dude111
An Awesome Dude
Premium
join:2003-08-04
USA
I wish it was EASIER to delete all the logs of calls made from your online acct!! (Presently you have to delete them 10 @ a time which is a pain in the ass)
informpage
Never Be Satisfied

join:2003-07-09
Forest Hills, NY

This isn't that great

I've used services that have replaced my cellphone voicemail before, but with google's implementation, it rings my cellphone, then it rings all the other phones (cellphone stops) and then it goes to voicemail. No one is going to sit thru 8-10 rings to leave a message. The need the option to have it go directly to voicemail.

NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo

Clarification

Click for full size
2 mints in one
Ok it seems we are confusing two types of Google Voice.

Look at this screen Shot when you try to sign up as a new user.

As Ricky Ricardo used to say: "That Splains it Lucy"....

FastiBook

join:2003-01-08
Newtown, PA

Creepy.

Yea, creepy.

- A
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IGGY
No Guru Just Here To Help
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-30
Chatham, IL


1 edit

Why do the forums always get left out

Doesn't it make sense to keep the site as sticky as possible and keep us readers around?

»Google Voice with your existing number
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wietze

@comcast.net

change to existing #

I signed up to GV with a new # before they announced you can use your own existing #, can I eliminate the new # and change to my existing #?
Forums » Google Voice Lets You Use Your Existing Number


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