Best setup for virtual number diverted to mobile?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Best setup for virtual number diverted to mobile?

limmer

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#21519 29-Apr-2008 16:18

Hi there we currently have a business number held with telecom at their exchange and the calls are diverted to a telecom mobile at a cost of $39cents/min +GST which is proving costly. We cannot connect the number to a physical address as the number is located in Blockhouse Bay and we live in west Auckland.

It is important that we retain this muber as it is well known with customers and is in our yellow pages advert. Unfortunately Vodafone cannot offer virtual numbers, if we could go with them it would be alot cheaper as caller diversion + talk 0 to a vodafone number would only be $10 extra per month for unlimited calls.

Do you guys have any suggestions of a reliable provider we can use while keeping our current number?

[Moderator edit (MF): moved to Telecom forum]

1 | 2

637 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#127101 29-Apr-2008 16:39

Use VFX or other VoIP provider, and port the number to them? Ask Telecom to forward the number to your Blockhouse Bay landline?

(not sure what this has to do with NZC either)

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79270 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#127108 29-Apr-2008 16:47

I suppose you have this number forwarded to your mobile because you can't move it to your location, right?

If you have broadband where you live/work (where you want this number to be), then you could use a VoIP service, as suggested.

You can contact WorldxChange and ask for their VFX service. You can ask to have this number PORTED to VFX. This will transfer the number to their service, while keeping it active.

To use VoIP you purchase a small box (PAP2T or similar) from them or from a retail store, plug into your broadband router and connect any analogue telephone handset. That's it. It works like a normal line.

Now, first contact them and make sure this number can be ported to your address - it must be in the same geographical area (not all 09 are in the same area). But you could setup this with your previous address to keep things running smooth. Regardless of address, you can plug the box to any broadband connection in the world and that's where the phone will ring.

Important: do not cancel the number. WorldxChange will do everything for you. If you cancel the number instead of porting, you may never get it back.

zocster

1983 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#127115 29-Apr-2008 17:09

Customer link can get quite expensive and I don't know how long you can keep on doing that for (diverting to mobile). And as per their website, this can only be done for a maximum of 12 months anyway. So you may as well follow the instructions above, a landline from any other provider and divert that customer link number you have to that number instead of a mobile.

Edit: If that was me I'd get that diverted to a west auckland vodafone landline and get the 10.00 a month + talk 0 plan you mentioned or if you go the telecom way I am sure there is a similar plan, not sure what's it called.

Andy Ghozali Geekzone Member	E: andy@ghozali.ru M: +64 21 395 458 A: Andy's Business Services, 231 High St, Christchurch 8011, NZ
www.andy.mobi

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79270 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#127126 29-Apr-2008 17:44

Th way I understand the problem is that he can't move the phone number to another address, so the calls are being diverted.

Porting the number to VFX solves the problem because he can move the phone number to anywhere - thus even eliminating the need to divert to a mobile number, which could be done only when he is really out and about.

Savings galore!

zocster

1983 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#127129 29-Apr-2008 17:55

Oh well true, but I believe he wants to keep the same number, which can not be put on another exchange hence may not be able to be ported? Correct me if I am wrong

Andy Ghozali Geekzone Member	E: andy@ghozali.ru M: +64 21 395 458 A: Andy's Business Services, 231 High St, Christchurch 8011, NZ
www.andy.mobi

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79270 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#127131 29-Apr-2008 17:58

zocster: Oh well true, but I believe he wants to keep the same number, which can not be put on another exchange hence may not be able to be ported? Correct me if I am wrong

If you are porting to VoIP your number has to be in the same geographical area - but it is connected to the Internet, not to an Exchange.

My parents-in-law moved just five minutes down the road, and Telecom wouldn't move their 15 year number. I ported the number to VFX, bought PAP2T box and plugged to their broadband and the number is there.

If they go anywhere in the world they can take that box now and plug to a router - and the number will be there.

zocster

1983 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#127132 29-Apr-2008 18:00

Awesome that should be the solution then! Not entirely sure how the VOIP termination and exchanges work, Telecom can be a pain at times.

Andy Ghozali Geekzone Member	E: andy@ghozali.ru M: +64 21 395 458 A: Andy's Business Services, 231 High St, Christchurch 8011, NZ
www.andy.mobi

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

cokemaster

Exited
4929 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#127135 29-Apr-2008 18:06

This is mainly aimed at the suggestions of talk 0.

Keep in mind that with freedom (telecoms version), it only applies to direct dial calls. Forwarding may attract standard airtime charges.

You may find the same applies to talk 0.

Its probably cheaper to get a voip connection similar to what was previously discussed or to forward to another landline.

webhosting

Loose lips may sink ships - Be smart - Don't post internal/commercially sensitive or confidential information!

zocster

1983 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#127137 29-Apr-2008 18:15

Thanks folks GZ is such a great place of learning, you learn something new all the time or the not so new, in this case with T&C

Andy Ghozali Geekzone Member	E: andy@ghozali.ru M: +64 21 395 458 A: Andy's Business Services, 231 High St, Christchurch 8011, NZ
www.andy.mobi

nzbnw

2374 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#127145 29-Apr-2008 19:32

zocster: Awesome that should be the solution then! Not entirely sure how the VOIP termination and exchanges work, Telecom can be a pain at times.

It's not so much of a case as Telecom being a pain, believe me if they could, they would. It is more of a case of the donor exchange, not being capable of accepting a non-native local calling number.

As to VFX / VoIP exchanges, maverick is your man.

I know you don't have a physical line option, but if you did, then Business Time would also be a possbility,as caller diversion can be caped t $0.50c (excl GST) for up to one hour, calls to your Telecom Mobiles on the same account are around $0.15 cents (excl GST).

http://www.telecombusinesshub.co.nz/Calling/BusinessTime/Pages/Pricing.html

nzbnw

cokemaster

Exited
4929 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#127162 29-Apr-2008 20:52

Excellent spotting nzbmw, I forgot about that one.

If he doesn't have a physical landline he could still divert it to a physical line through customerlink or voip, then divert it from his physical landline (business time maybe set to divert on no answer?) and get the $0.50 ex gst capped rate.

Sounds like a much more cost effective option, if he has a telecom mobile and the existing diverts are more than a minute long.

webhosting

Loose lips may sink ships - Be smart - Don't post internal/commercially sensitive or confidential information!

limmer

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#127286 30-Apr-2008 13:07

Hi thanks for all the replies. Could you tell me a little more about VoIP?

We still need to divert the calls to mobile during the day. Telecom have said the the diverted number can only be changed during business hours (and after a long wait) (cannot get remote divert as it is a virtual number so must be done manualy) so it isnt very pratical to change regulaly.

We are looking into diverting the Blockhouse Bay number (held at the exchange with Telecom) to the west Auckland number (would be with Vodafone on Talk 0) and then diverting it to the cellphone (which would be shifted to vodafone) and therefore reducing the cost per minute to just over 5 cents plus the cost of talk 0 and caller divert with vodafone ($10).

However we are worried that there will be a long delay between people calling the number and it connecting the cellphone. We currently have talk 0 set up with annother number and find there is a delay which can be up to 10-15 secs at times, if it were any longer it would be possible that calls could be missed due to customers believing the number isnt working.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79270 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#127287 30-Apr-2008 13:16

Could you please tell us why you need the diversion to the mobile phone?

Why only at certain times?

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79270 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#127289 30-Apr-2008 13:18

With VoIP your phone line is not tied to a specific exchange. It is tied to a small box or computer. The box can be plugged to any broadband router in the country after you port the number.

This means you can take the number with you to wherever location you move to - although by rules you should really have it in your original address - but I have friends living in the UK who took their box with them, so you can ring a Wellington number and it actually rings in their new home in London.

If you are diverting the number just to get around Telecom not moving the phone line to another address, this changes completely with VoIP.

cokemaster

Exited
4929 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#127303 30-Apr-2008 14:31

limmer:

We are looking into diverting the Blockhouse Bay number (held at the exchange with Telecom) to the west Auckland number (would be with Vodafone on Talk 0) and then diverting it to the cellphone (which would be shifted to vodafone) and therefore reducing the cost per minute to just over 5 cents plus the cost of talk 0 and caller divert with vodafone ($10).

However we are worried that there will be a long delay between people calling the number and it connecting the cellphone. We currently have talk 0 set up with annother number and find there is a delay which can be up to 10-15 secs at times, if it were any longer it would be possible that calls could be missed due to customers believing the number isnt working.

That sounds workable.

But you'd still need to check to see whether you are 'allowed' to divert calls and have them counted under the talk 0 plan. Otherwise you could be charged $0.39 a minute which is back where you started. The Telecom Businesstime? plans do have explict call forwarding caps to divert to Telecom mobiles so it may be worthwhile checking that out.

Another question which got raised is whether you need every single call sent to a mobile... VoIP or not, there is going to be a cost unless you look at other means. One of the set ups I have at home is for the landline to ring for 20 seconds and then to divert... usually people will hang up if its not important or they'll hold on for the divert if it is.

Also I think you'd probably be better off porting the number to VFX, and just setting a direct divert to your other number. That way you have more direct control and it is cheaper to keep the number. Then using the other landline whether it is a Telecom or vodafone one to divert...

webhosting

Loose lips may sink ships - Be smart - Don't post internal/commercially sensitive or confidential information!

1 | 2