Anyone try Broadband GV + Skype + OBiHai to save T-Mobile minutes?

[akuki]

Yet another VOIP post! I want a 1-cell + broadband VoIP solution for 3 Google Voice accounts. I hear GV + OBiHai works, and I hear GV + Skype works, but will GV + Skype + OBi work well? Since GV only allows a forwarding phone to be used 2x, I'd only need Skype as a 2nd forwarding #. There is no landline, and fwiw my TWC clocks at 16 mbps down/1 up.

I know GV was intended as 1-number-to-many-devices instead of the other way around, but I'm hoping to get rid of this 2nd cell phone, and save even more $ on the remaining one. Because of questionable reception inside home/office & to save min, I'm hoping VOIP calls on a POTS handset is an option. AT&T works great, but I'm going thru this hassle to save $, and StraightTalk's undeclared throttling policy is... you know. Skype on the computer is a pain, and forget GV sound quality (sounded great for me, but eveyone complained). I don't like what I've read so far about VOIP apps, but I'm willing to test them over time.

Here's what I'm considering for now...
Nexus 4 + T-Mobile $30/5GB plan (no T-Mo voicemail) + 3 Google Voice #'s + OBi100 $40 hardware (for my POTS handset) + Skype account ("away" calls forwarded to GVoicemail). No one gets my cell or Skype #. My 1 personal and 2 business GV#'s should ring POTS handset + cell (when in range), then return to GVoicemail if unanswered. Could this really work, please?

GV1 ----> OBi100 handset (GV1 CID) + cell phone
GV2 + GV3 ---> Skype In/Out (GV2 CID) ---> OBi100 handset + cell phone

H/T donrhummy http://forums.androidcentral.com/google-nexus-4/234697-these-correct-steps-set-up-nexus-4-make-receive-voip-calls-via-skype-skype-google-voice-2.html#post2430599
"Skype caller ID" Skype features: free video chat, screen sharing, internet calls, IM and more
"Forward away calls to GV" How to Make Skype Play Nicely with Google Voice.

Have I missed something? Anyone try this? Thanks and your comments are welcome.

 

[Scott Kenyon]

I may not be totally clear on what you're trying to do here. As far as wifi calling goes, I've used GrooveIP without an issue, and I use GV for my devices. I don't get what you're trying to do with Skype. Perhaps you could clarify?

 

[akuki]

Sounds like you haven't gotten complaints about the call quality, which is great. How many GV accounts can be set up on your GrooveIP & N4? And are you able to distinguish which GV# is ringing the cell? Since I haven't purchased the Nexus 4 yet can't test it myself, so I appreciate hearing about your experience.

To clarify my post: After reading mixed remarks about SIP/VoIP calling with apps on N4, I came across some positive feedback about this OBiHai unit that uses a regular telephone for free VoIP calling. Since I hope to get rid of the 2nd cell phone, the 3rd GV account can use the Skype # as the 2nd forwarding phone in Google Voice settings. This is what I came up with as a possible solution.

 

[Scott Kenyon]

I only use one Voice account. Perhaps I didn't read what you said correctly. That said, this is what I'd try:
Log into your Voice accounts on the Web and have two of them redirect to the third. Use that account on your phone and you should receive all of your calls.

Sent from my HTC One using Mobile Nations mobile app

 

[olgeezer44]

I'm using an Obi110n. Got in on amazon for around $50. I have one Google voice number for everything. I'm using T-mobile monthly family plan. I got an email ad from tMobile saying they were the only company and has free wifi calling, However, they don't support the Nexus 4. However. when I make a call, I get a popup asking if I want to make the call via Google Voice or Tmobile. Based on that I do have wifi calling.

So far (at least a year) the Obi110 works great. No cost except for my isp. I have it plugged in to the net via ethernet cable. I just our phone system (vtech) with a base unit and 4 phones total. My only additional cost was that I had to get a new modem/router from ATT because my old modem stopped working. I've used skype before but am not using it now. I really haven't looked into Skype or Groove because the callers at the other end don't seem to want to do video calls. Tango works well, but the people on the other end also have to have the Tango app installed. I tried Ooma, but it started having problems 6 months after I got it and it cost 4x what Obi110 cost.

This may not answer your question, but might give you some additional ideas. Good Luck!

 

[akuki]

Unfortunately, "Google Voice does not let users forward to another Google Voice account phone number. No way around it, it just isn't allowed." - Google Groups

 

[akuki]

Thanks for your comments about your OBi110. You're actually answering a lot of questions I had! If the OBi gets a thumbsup by those I call, I'll be happy to use it at home with my own V-Tech set. I can't seem to keep the cells within reach a lot of the time.

I can add a Skype number (forwarding phone for GV#3) to the mix and see how it relays to OBi100. If it works, I'll dump the extra cell phone. If not, I'll just cancel the Skype subscription and move on to testing GrooVeIP. It seems to be the most popular app. I just don't think it's set up to receive calls from multiple GV accounts. Maybe someone will still comment on that.

 

[olgeezer44]

I'm not sure about the Google Voice accounts issue. My wife and I both have N4's. I can go to Google voice and have our calls forwarded to our N4's. This is good if we want to be gone but have a call that we need to have at any time. If you want to, you can still use the answering machine on your Vtech. If you turn it off the calls are answered by Google voice. I also use Google voice to text from my tablet. My wife also has a Google account, but I don't think her N4 is on it? I'm unclear about this. When I put the forwarding on to our N4's her phone does ring though. Looks like there are a lot of different ways to accomplish the same goal--I certainly don't know many.

 

[akuki]

I don't know how a family plan changes the way Google Voice works, but if my cell rings it's because it's listed and checked in settings/phones.

I haven't come up with any new info for my situation, so just posted a request for help at the Google Voice forum. They might not want to concern themselves with solutions that use outside companies. It sure would be nice to stop carrying around (and paying for) 2 cells, though.

 

[akuki]

Found out the Obi units do something called "forking", which can point the 3rd GV# from OBi200 to my cell, avoiding the need to list it as a forwarding # in Google Voice. If it works, problem solved - Indoors where there's no reception use Obi200 handset, on the road receive all 3 GV calls on the cell.