You’ve probably figured out a solution by now, but if not maybe check out https://Callcentric.com/. I’ve found their service to be pretty reliable and has the features you listed. I have 4 extensions set up, with options for more. Two lines, one mine and my parent’s old number while we move them over to assisted living. I gave a phone to my sister that rings on parents line, as does one of my extensions. There are all sort of call handling rules that can route calls to one or more extensions (including multiple lines to one extension, so that my primary extension rings on both numbers), calls between Callcentric accounts are free, and they have lots of options for billing. I set up my account with free incoming calls and $0.009/minute outgoing to North America. Setup was easy too.
I'm currently using voip.ms. Their interface isn't quite as friendly as I'd like. I feel like I have to re-learn it each time I dive into it. Might Callcentric be better in terms of usability?
The primary number (17778xxxxxx) is also the first extension. Then each additional extension is named the same as primary but with 17778xxxxxx101, 17778xxxxxx102, 17778xxxxxx103 etc. That's a real PSTN number but you can also request a number in your area code/LADA, another area code, or port a number over. Then each extension is treated like any PBX internal call, just dial 100, 101, 102 and connect. Setting up my Grandstream phones was simple too, the toughest part was figuring out what usernames and passwords translated to on the handset web config pages. The customer dashboard gives you real-time status of your extensions, so that made it easier to check on configs too.
Each extension comes with a voicemail box, or you can assign mailboxes to multiple extensions. Incoming calls can get directed to specific handsets, dumped to voicemail or just ring on all extensions for a set amount of time using "call treatments." They can get very granular if you want, rolling calls from one extension to another, having all extensions ring, a set of extensions ring, ring out to an outside line like your mobile, or whatever. Very easy to set up on the customer portal. And you can set up treatments based on time of day. Then there's a whole IVR setup that I haven't touched yet.
Sorry I'm sounding like an ad but I'm pretty impressed with the service. They also handled my parent's number porting perfectly, completing the port a day sooner than estimated. I didn't do a whole lot of research when I started playing with SIP phones, but Callcentric seemed to be about the best, although probably not the cheapest solution.
I suddenly feel much more knowledgeable, thank you! It helps that I've gone through some of these things in the voip.ms system. That makes it easier to follow your description of Callcentric's services. Much appreciated, and I will look into Callcentric!
There's no need to run your own PBX to hit all those bullet points. Many voip providers do most or all of those things nowadays. I do them all with my voip.ms extensions. Audio and lag, though, can sometimes be on you to figure out, as it's often your own network or device that is the problem.
I have been using softphones on android for many years, and nowadays, I think Groundwire is more than worth paying for. It has been working flawlessly for me, including SMS messaging. I also use a grandstream ata and a set of grandstream DECT phones. They have some very powerful PBX-like features built right into them. Try a couple of voip providers to see which ones you like to work with. You also don't *need* to use the same company for incoming DID, outgoing calls, and "internal" extensions. As long as your providers are open, you can mix and match if you want. It's tough to beat voip.ms for price, and while they are very DIY, they provide a lot of functionality.
Thank you, great information. I had not looked at voip.ms before. The service suite looks pretty complete for VoIP. And I had not considered an ATA and some DECT phones but I like the idea.
One aspect I *really* like is that secure SIP transport is available. My current provider only allows UDP which is inherently less secure that using TLS. The DIY aspect doesn't bother me too much since my current provider is very much that way. Based on your intel, I think I will give voip.ms a try and see how that goes. I have a third line available on my Cisco SPA303 I can use to test it.
My learning curve is steep but it feels like I've cracked open the door by setting up a SIP account, getting a DID phone number, and making sure the provisioning all works.
You’ve probably figured out a solution by now, but if not maybe check out https://Callcentric.com/. I’ve found their service to be pretty reliable and has the features you listed. I have 4 extensions set up, with options for more. Two lines, one mine and my parent’s old number while we move them over to assisted living. I gave a phone to my sister that rings on parents line, as does one of my extensions. There are all sort of call handling rules that can route calls to one or more extensions (including multiple lines to one extension, so that my primary extension rings on both numbers), calls between Callcentric accounts are free, and they have lots of options for billing. I set up my account with free incoming calls and $0.009/minute outgoing to North America. Setup was easy too.
I'm currently using voip.ms. Their interface isn't quite as friendly as I'd like. I feel like I have to re-learn it each time I dive into it. Might Callcentric be better in terms of usability?
The primary number (17778xxxxxx) is also the first extension. Then each additional extension is named the same as primary but with 17778xxxxxx101, 17778xxxxxx102, 17778xxxxxx103 etc. That's a real PSTN number but you can also request a number in your area code/LADA, another area code, or port a number over. Then each extension is treated like any PBX internal call, just dial 100, 101, 102 and connect. Setting up my Grandstream phones was simple too, the toughest part was figuring out what usernames and passwords translated to on the handset web config pages. The customer dashboard gives you real-time status of your extensions, so that made it easier to check on configs too.
Each extension comes with a voicemail box, or you can assign mailboxes to multiple extensions. Incoming calls can get directed to specific handsets, dumped to voicemail or just ring on all extensions for a set amount of time using "call treatments." They can get very granular if you want, rolling calls from one extension to another, having all extensions ring, a set of extensions ring, ring out to an outside line like your mobile, or whatever. Very easy to set up on the customer portal. And you can set up treatments based on time of day. Then there's a whole IVR setup that I haven't touched yet.
Sorry I'm sounding like an ad but I'm pretty impressed with the service. They also handled my parent's number porting perfectly, completing the port a day sooner than estimated. I didn't do a whole lot of research when I started playing with SIP phones, but Callcentric seemed to be about the best, although probably not the cheapest solution.
I suddenly feel much more knowledgeable, thank you! It helps that I've gone through some of these things in the voip.ms system. That makes it easier to follow your description of Callcentric's services. Much appreciated, and I will look into Callcentric!
There's no need to run your own PBX to hit all those bullet points. Many voip providers do most or all of those things nowadays. I do them all with my voip.ms extensions. Audio and lag, though, can sometimes be on you to figure out, as it's often your own network or device that is the problem.
I have been using softphones on android for many years, and nowadays, I think Groundwire is more than worth paying for. It has been working flawlessly for me, including SMS messaging. I also use a grandstream ata and a set of grandstream DECT phones. They have some very powerful PBX-like features built right into them. Try a couple of voip providers to see which ones you like to work with. You also don't *need* to use the same company for incoming DID, outgoing calls, and "internal" extensions. As long as your providers are open, you can mix and match if you want. It's tough to beat voip.ms for price, and while they are very DIY, they provide a lot of functionality.
Thank you, great information. I had not looked at voip.ms before. The service suite looks pretty complete for VoIP. And I had not considered an ATA and some DECT phones but I like the idea.
One aspect I *really* like is that secure SIP transport is available. My current provider only allows UDP which is inherently less secure that using TLS. The DIY aspect doesn't bother me too much since my current provider is very much that way. Based on your intel, I think I will give voip.ms a try and see how that goes. I have a third line available on my Cisco SPA303 I can use to test it.
My learning curve is steep but it feels like I've cracked open the door by setting up a SIP account, getting a DID phone number, and making sure the provisioning all works.