Need a dead simple VOIP option for someone that just wants to make calls on their cell -- is Ooma it?

[clay]

I'm helping someone that would like to have a separate number from their personal cell. They'd like to be able to publish this number, people call it, and it rings on their cell phone. And then they'd like to be able to use their cell phone to make outgoing calls that appear to come from this published number.

How seamlessly does this sort of thing work when using the Ooma app on an iPhone or Android? Is there a different solution that would work similarly well without being too complex for a very basic user?

[Acer]

You might need the Ooma Premier subscription to get all that.

[Robert M]

Clay,

Google Voice will do that and more and it won’t cost a dime. Couple it with the proper VOIP box and he can even use a regular phone with it. Search the forum for Google Voice and Obihai for details.

Robert

[John B.]

Robert has it exactly right.

[ztirffritz]

Google Voice would be the quickest, easiest option.

[clay]

thanks...I've only ever glanced at Google voice as an option. Is there any reason you'd avoid using Google voice for business purposes? Reliability, call quality, etc?

[Robert M]

Clay,

I moved my number to Google Voice nearly 6 years ago. Rock solid service. My wife has a Google Voice number, too. We have a 2-line Obihai box. Each Google Voice number is affiliated with it. I have a cordless phone system connected to the port with my number. Our HP all-in-one is connected to the port for my wife's Google Voice number for use as a dedicated fax line. Occasionally we need to recertify the affiliation between the Obihai box and Google Voice but that's about it. That has nothing to do with the overall usage and reliability of Google Voice, though, which is rock solid.

Robert

[clay]

Robert M wrote:
Clay,

I moved my number to Google Voice nearly 6 years ago. Rock solid service. My wife has a Google Voice number, too. We have a 2-line Obihai box. Each Google Voice number is affiliated with it. I have a cordless phone system connected to the port with my number. Our HP all-in-one is connected to the port for my wife's Google Voice number for use as a dedicated fax line. Occasionally we need to recertify the affiliation between the Obihai box and Google Voice but that's about it. That has nothing to do with the overall usage and reliability of Google Voice, though, which is rock solid.

Robert

thanks for sharing.

For this particular user, they don't want an extra handset (beyond their cell phone) as they are frequently mobile. So perhaps not even the Obihai box + cordless phone is needed in this instance. If he can do everything on their cell phone (and computer), that is probably perfect for his needs.

[Robert M]

Clay,

The Obihai box and cordless phone system aren't necessities. Just nice to have.

Just throw the Google Voice app on the cell phone and configure it so Google Voice calls ring on it. The Google Voice calls come in and the app opens. Outgoing calls should be done on with Google Voice app. That way, the correct number will be displayed on the recipient's caller ID.

Robert

[macphanatic]

Only downside with Google Voice is if they travel internationally. It doesn't work everywhere.