voip.ms discussion

[JeffP]

As for transfers, I was thinking mainly of transferring between sub-accounts, but I understand there isn't much difference technically...

As for internal extensions, how do you call an internal extension? That's the kind of thing I'm looking for - a howto for the stuff that everyone should just know

[Mango]

To call the internal extension number, just dial it First you have to set it up on the Manage Sub Accounts page. It can be any number. They always start with 10, so if you set up internal extension 1, you can dial 101 to ring that phone.

SIP URIs are in the format: [account number][extension number]@[server]. For example, 1234561@toronto.voip.ms

m.

[JeffP]

Thanks! That did the trick.

So, I'm guessing no cheat-sheet exists for the built in calling features?

Also, I wanted to report that I've been using Acrobits soft phone for iPhone / iPod touch to test things out while I wait for my hardware, and it works great. The sound quality is excellent, configuration went without a hitch, and push for incoming calls works well if a bit slow. I can't wait to see how well it works when iPhone OS 4.0 comes out.

[audacity]

I have a cell phone on Bell Mobility. Compared to voip.ms, the per-minute rates are ridiculous - not a dig specifically against Bell, the rates are horrible for all cell networks.

The voip.ms rates are really low, and have advanced call routing features. I have a IVR setup so that when people call me, I have a simple audio CAPTCHA setup (it basically says "Press 7 if you're not a telemarketer") so hopefully that will stop some of those autodialers.

I also added a DISA number so I can call my home line, press 9, and then dial out. Since I have my home number as one of the "fab five" numbers on my bell mobility phone, this means that I could dial out to all sorts of people and pay nothing to Bell.

I was wondering if I could extend this further though. I wonder if I could add a menu item on the IVR where people could get forwarded to my cell phone, but the call would be going through my voip.ms number. Specifically I would want it to always look like my home phone was calling my cell phone so that would make the per-minute rate for incoming calls zero.

Is this possible?

[FunkyTown]

It is possible to do the call forwarding with your home phone number showing up as the caller id if you own a SPA9000. You have to define your LINE 1 to bridge any calls transferred or forwarded. When you bridge a call, the SPA9000 stays online. So leg one of the call is your incoming caller. As soon as the SPA9000 receives that call it picks up another line (leg 2) and dials out. So it appears the call is coming from your house/line. The caller is unaware of the transfer because it happens instantaneously.

If you don't have a SPA9000, then you will need to wait for Voip.ms to release the call forwarding feature that allows you to override the caller id to be either that of the caller, or your phone number. Apparently they are working on it, but right now it is still not available.

A few people are doing this with their cell phones. I've read some cases where the phone company caught the people doing this and removed their service. The volume of calls and the amount of time you spend talking may bring you up on some report - I don't know. If enough people start doing it, you know they will eliminate the Fab Five, Unlimited One-Number features. It's not illegal, but technically it's not really how they want you to use the phone plan. So you may as well enjoy it while you can. :-)

[recneps77]

Simple, just add your cell number to the call forwarding list, and add an option to your IVR that will go through.

i.e. "Press 7 to reach the house, or 5 to reach my cell."

As far as bell would be concerned, you're always calling your home number, and your home number is always calling you.

[Dr_Boom]

Can someone please post a step by step procedure of the whole thing?

I hear so many people using words and abbreviations that most people have never heard about, how about giving details of the abbreviations??..that would be really help full

I just moved here from Mozambique and my initial plan was to go with bell canada, but these guys are asking for a one time activation fee of 50 bucks, whats up with that??..i dont even use t he phone that much why would i pay that much?..thats why i searched for better deals, so if anyone can help me out, and write out a step by step procedure (from the initial phase up to when you start making calls, and revieving calls). That would be really help ful, not only to me but to many other people who are who lack computer savyness.

[recneps77]

If you want to use a regular phone with voip, you'll want to buy an ATA (analogue telephone adapter). This connects to the network on one port, and to your phone on another.

From voip.ms you're going to need to sign up for an account, and then pick a DID (aka a phone number).
Then you're going to set it to use SIP (session initiation protocol) and the server closest to you.

Then look at the settings for the DID/account from voip.ms pages and enter your ATA setup.
Copy over the required information, et voila! All set.
Once you're up and running for basic calls, then you can configure extras, like voicemail, IVR (those menus, i.e. press 1 for service in english, etc.)

[Mango]

I have been having intermittent problems with termination since Friday. This is an example of some of the things that I hear:

http://www.toao.net/pub/weird-stuff.mp3

At least two other users I have spoken with have experienced similar symptoms. No response from VoIP.ms support yet.

Anyone else?

m.

[FunkyTown]

That's bizarre. I've used my phone a few times this weekend including this morning and it's working great!

I'm connected to the Toronto server, and I'm using value route. The people saying "hello" have a French accent. Do you know who the people speaking are?

[Mango]

I have NO clue who these people are. I called my office. We do NOT have a brass band there.

I'm using premium routing.

[FunkyTown]

Hmmm. Are you using a cordless phone or do you have a cordless phone on your line? I had people on my Bell line years ago and discovered it was coming from next door. The people next door were gaining access to my line through my cordless phone. Even though I wasn't even using the cordless. Their handset was registering with my base. The dialtone they were getting was mine. I pulled the cordless from the wall and replaced it later with a new one. Never had the problem again.

[Mango]

Nope, softphone, corded phone, and SPA921 IP phone.

[FunkyTown]

If that's the case it sounds like voip.ms issues. It's not easy to tap into a voip line like a POTS line. If you've rebooted everything and it's still happening then it must be voip.ms.

[awebber]

I'm not having those problems but I finally got my ATA working (SPA2102), have dial tone and can call. I'm hearing hum on the line when I pick it up and the other person is hearing even more. Have only made a couple of calls so I don't know if this is normal, we're actually able to connect and speak to each other. The test calls were only to Montreal, not the far side of the world. Registered with montreal.voip.ms

Does physical location of the ATA in the room (e.g. proximity to router) make a difference? I'd planned to keep it with the router, modem, etc. but can run a long network cable if necessary.

Thanks!
=aw