VoIP mobile options for travelling family

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xurizaemon

153 posts

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#124648 15-Jul-2013 11:25

A relative travels a lot and we've been talking about putting him onto a VoIP option so phone works overseas provided he has wifi locally.

For him this means less number swapping (though he'll probably still have to sim swap for mobile data in some spots).

Would appreciate experience from others on -

1. Can you port an existing mobile (02x) to a VoIP provider?

2. Should he expect issues connecting to NZ VoIP from overseas?

3. Recommendations / tips?

ubergeeknz

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#855721 15-Jul-2013 11:30

1. Any reason to not use a local number? It should be technically possible but I don't know if any VoIP providers allow it.
2. There will be issues probably relating to quality of connection. VoIP needs a good clean connection to work well.
3. If he's an Orcon customer he could check out Genius Go, very simple to set up and no cost to add to an existing home line. Skype have options for a local number, or there's other VoIP providers like 2Talk, WXC, and so on.

ajobbins

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#855730 15-Jul-2013 11:42

There are no VoIP providers I am aware of that offer the ability to use a mobile number. Plenty of landline number options.

Connectivity is probably OK in most places. Places like China and the UAE may be difficult.

The biggest issue is likely to be latency back to NZ - which will vary from place to place. Best to use a codec like G.729 that is more tolerant of latency and jitter.

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myfullflavour

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#855743 15-Jul-2013 11:59

Even worse if you are in the US and you call someone in the US from your VoIP line....traffic is going all the way home and back again to it's destination.

+1 for the Skype option.

xurizaemon

153 posts

Master Geek

#856188 16-Jul-2013 00:54

Thanks. Appreciate the feedback.

1. Hope to use a mobile number because we have a few SIM which are 02x NNNN-787 (various Boeing models), which suits his occupation.

So really just for fun, no other reason :)

Will enquire with VoIP providers and report back if any luck.

Yes Genius Go and Skype are prob fair options. GGo is good (so is using their regular VoIP but only connects from Orcon IP if I'm not mistaken?).

Neither are as fun as having people dial a cool number and reach you globally though!

hairy1

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#856192 16-Jul-2013 02:56

You can choose your number with 2talk. Maybe try and sign up a local number with 787 in it. Run it on g729 and see how it goes for a couple of trips. At $6 per number per month it could be worth a punt.

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webwat

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#862605 20-Jul-2013 15:00

ajobbins: There are no VoIP providers I am aware of that offer the ability to use a mobile number. Plenty of landline number options.

Connectivity is probably OK in most places. Places like China and the UAE may be difficult.

The biggest issue is likely to be latency back to NZ - which will vary from place to place. Best to use a codec like G.729 that is more tolerant of latency and jitter.

Some VoIP providers have their own allocation of 02xx mobile numbers already, so I don't see why they wouldn't be able to port another mobile number to their VoIP network. If they wanted to.

Ask some of the ISPs that have VoIP services if they would expect good performance while traveling overseas. They tend to have a full service model and you might need a few helpdesk calls if you have problems while travelling.

Time to find a new industry!

ajobbins

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#862697 20-Jul-2013 18:59

webwat:Some VoIP providers have their own allocation of 02xx mobile numbers already, so I don't see why they wouldn't be able to port another mobile number to their VoIP network. If they wanted to.

I thought only 2talk had an allocation of 028 numbers (for VoIP anyway).

Replicating a mobile service is much more than just having a mobile number range. You need an SMSC to handle text messages, and you would probably need other gear in order to support number porting.

Twitter: ajobbins