In reply to a post by Pheasant:

In reply to a post by TMCR:

If you are not so precious about retaining your number then AA is a good option.

What if one is "precious" 😉 and want to retain their number - don't A&A offer to port in numbers? Website says they do.

At a cost...

That's a given. I've not known any VoIP providers to port external numbers in for free. Its usually somewhere between £20 and £40 to do so.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

That's a given. I've not known any VoIP providers to port external numbers in for free. Its usually somewhere between £20 and £40 to do so.

The OP had already said they though AA's porting cost was too expensive.

Porting a number is infrequent at best.

So unless the one-off cost is astronomic (which it isn't) then I wouldn't really include that as a key decision making criteria as ongoing charges and call costs will fairly quickly make any cost difference between porting fees pale into insignificance.

Edited by Pheasant (Thu 15-Sep-22 18:49:18)

No idea, I'm not a customer yet. I did use their online chat to ask the same question as you did the other day and they pointed me to that link. Try the online chat, they seem quite knowledgeable and helpful.

In reply to a post by sjr:

I just had a chat with voipfone and they said that it was £3/month all inclusive for a number with a single user account. I asked if that single user account could be used on multiple devices but they said no, I would need an extension for each device at a cost of £1.50 per month per extension.

I was assuming that I could use the same account on the other half's mobile as well as my own plus the existing DECT phone and have incoming calls to the ported in landline ringing on all 3 simultaneously but if that's not the case it becomes rather expensive for what we want it for.

What your are looking at is one incoming line: £3.60
Three extensions at £1.80 each = £5.40
One Group = £1.20
Total £10.20

That arrangement allows each extension to make and receive calls irrespective of what is going on on the other extensions. An incoming call will only ring extensions not in use. Call waiting overcomes that problem but costs £2.40.

The three extension would be numbered 200, 201 and 202 and by calling another extension the call will be free. Of course when out and about, you need an internet connection from somewhere to have VoIP calls.

Now is that package THAT expensive? Tell me where you can get the equivalent cheaper.

All prices shown are inclusive of VAT and applies from 1st October. (At the moment extension are £1,10 each).

If you need to call Voipfone the call is free with no IVR present. Usually calls are answered pretty promptly and whatever the problem, it is resolved within that one call.

To be honest I’d expect most *domestic* type users to use any inclusive call minutes in their existing mobile packages before spending on VoIP minutes/call packages for outgoing calls - especially if you’re at work, or out and about, travelling etc.

All the functionality you describe was hitherto available at nil monthly cost on Sipgate. Which a was ideal for a domestic user for inbound calls and some outbound calls.

Going from that to £120 a year on your scenario *before call costs* just seems a leap to far…to me anyway, but as they save your mileage may vary.

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

Now is that package THAT expensive?

I would say so, I know you have a more complex setup for your needs but for most its just catching those elderly relatives/friends who refuse to call a mobile number.

In reply to a post by dect:

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

Now is that package THAT expensive?

I would say so, I know you have a more complex setup for your needs but for most its just catching those elderly relatives/friends who refuse to call a mobile number.

It wasn't that long ago that Voipfone charged £2.40 for a number and £1.20 for an extension: so at today's pricing that is quite a jump apparently due to the large increase in electricity costs at the data centre.

I share the sentiment of not wishing to pay mobile rates to call friends and relatives when a regular number (01/02/03) might well be included in inclusive minutes. A no frills package to receive calls on your mobile with a landline number costs £3.60 with Voipfone - where can you get such a service at a lower price today?

To me it seems rather selfish for you to make calls at no cost with no regard to what it might cost for someone to call you when you don't have an alternative landline style number.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

To be honest I’d expect most *domestic* type users to use any inclusive call minutes in their existing mobile packages before spending on VoIP minutes/call packages for outgoing calls - especially if you’re at work, or out and about, travelling etc.

All the functionality you describe was hitherto available at nil monthly cost on Sipgate. Which a was ideal for a domestic user for inbound calls and some outbound calls.

Going from that to £120 a year on your scenario *before call costs* just seems a leap to far…to me anyway, but as they save your mileage may vary.

Not everyone has a mobile and for a significant number of subscribers that do have one, it is generally switched off. Your mobile can be contacted on a landline style number for just £50 a year or 14p a day. Come on now, it costs more than that to have a coffee on the go!