Does anyone know of an alternative to Google Voice?

#1

Post by mkaziz » Thu, Oct 11, 2018, 7:47 PM UTC

I've used it pretty much since I got my first phone in the US ... but in the context of Google bot-banning entire businesses without human recourse, I don't want my phone number to be at risk of that. If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Re: Does anyone know of an alternative to Google Voice?

#2

Post by GlenTheMachine » Thu, Oct 11, 2018, 8:19 PM UTC

This is the very last Google service I use. I've been looking for an alternative for a couple of years, and have never found one. In particular, the ability to use a single phone number that rings my cell, office, and home.

Re: Does anyone know of an alternative to Google Voice?

#3

Post by mkaziz » Thu, Oct 11, 2018, 10:43 PM UTC

GlenTheMachine wrote: post #2

This is the very last Google service I use. I've been looking for an alternative for a couple of years, and have never found one. In particular, the ability to use a single phone number that rings my cell, office, and home.

What did you switch out for Gmail?

Re: Does anyone know of an alternative to Google Voice?

#4

Post by Digory » Fri, Oct 12, 2018, 2:58 AM UTC

After GV went down during business hours once, I realized I needed to control the number. It's more expensive than free, but worth it.

You can port out a GV number to any telecom provider for a small fee, including any of the big SIP/VoIP providers. They'll usually provide voicemail and dirt cheap rates -- but not VM transcription.

Re: Does anyone know of an alternative to Google Voice?

#5

Post by mkaziz » Fri, Oct 12, 2018, 1:58 PM UTC

Digory wrote: post #4

After GV went down during business hours once, I realized I needed to control the number. It's more expensive than free, but worth it. You can port out a GV number to any telecom provider for a small fee, including any of the big SIP/VoIP providers. They'll usually provide voicemail and dirt cheap rates -- but not VM transcription.

Got any recommendations?

Re: Does anyone know of an alternative to Google Voice?

#6

Post by Digory » Sat, Oct 13, 2018, 4:23 AM UTC

mkaziz wrote: post #5

Digory wrote: post #4

After GV went down during business hours once, I realized I needed to control the number. It's more expensive than free, but worth it. You can port out a GV number to any telecom provider for a small fee, including any of the big SIP/VoIP providers. They'll usually provide voicemail and dirt cheap rates -- but not VM transcription.

Got any recommendations?

Ward Mundy's nerdvittles blog had a recent overview of the SIP/VoIP market. [0] Looks like he currently recommends Vitelity, VoIP.ms, or CallCentric.

Ward's PBX in a Flash projects (business class features on a raspberry pi or in the cloud) are also fun if you really want to go down a rabbit hole.

[0] http://nerdvittles.com/?p=26128

Re: Does anyone know of an alternative to Google Voice?

#7

Post by GlenTheMachine » Sat, Oct 13, 2018, 3:32 PM UTC

mkaziz wrote: post #3

GlenTheMachine wrote: post #2

This is the very last Google service I use. I've been looking for an alternative for a couple of years, and have never found one. In particular, the ability to use a single phone number that rings my cell, office, and home.

What did you switch out for Gmail?

Fastmail. Works great.