Help Google Voice/Verizon Issue

[Highland Ranger]

In order for all calls to be free you need:

- to have the ability to do Friends and Family numbers

- add your GV number to F&F

- add whatever outbound number GV dials in your case to the F&F list with the caveat that this number can change and you need to keep an eye on it. From what I have seen, doesn't change very frequently and some people have had GV for a year with no change

- Texts are free provided you use the GV client on the handset or the PC browser interface

If you don't have F&F you will be charged airtime for all inbound and out bound calls including airtime for the forwarded call to the Google Voicemail.

 

[AGWednesday]

Technically, your GV number and Verizon can't be the same. GV doesn't do number porting yet.

I thought that when I was choosing my GV number for the first time, I saw an option to use an existing number. Does Verizon stop me from using my Verizon number as my GV number?

And there's an option to change my GV number to another. I'd have to pay for that, but if it solves things, then...

If so, the transcription service and playback of voicemails through GV is not really "free."

Exactly.

 

[Highland Ranger]

The option up front is to have a number or not.

It doesn't make sense to not take the number even if you don't use it - I believe all GV is if you don't take the number is voice mail.

They are supposed to be coming up with a way for you to port your cellular number to GV but other than doing it the way they do now, where you are using conditional and unconditional forwarding I'd imagine they'd need to involve the carriers. There might even be regulatory issues.

As I stated above, only way to get "free" calls using GV on Verizon is as I describe. Anything else involves airtime charges.

 

[simn22]

has anyone ever brought up the topic of using GV overseas via wifi? i assume the calls would be free? and not use the our verizon minutes?

can anyone confirm this?

 

[Highland Ranger]

I don't think F&F applies overseas so I am guessing that since outbound calls using GV dial a local to your handsets number - this would not be free overseas - you'd get hit with some premium airtime.

Inbound calls would also eat up airtime . . . I am guessing also not free.

Be interested in hearing this confirmed . . . .

 

[narf]

Perhaps I can explain this one, as I have just finished researching this for myself.

When you set up Google Voice voicemail, what you are doing is setting up a service with Verizon that says "If I don't pick up my phone, forward my call to my Google Voice number". Forwarded calls get charged minutes, regardless of whether or not the number is on your friends and family or whatever, because that is the charge for forwarding your unanswered calls.

If you are using GV as your primary number, then a series of things happen when you miss a call. The person calling you dials your GV number, which gets forwarded to your phone appearing as your GV access number (unless you have it set up to show the person's real number). If you don't pick up, then Verizon forwards that call to your GV number (not your access number). You are then charged the minutes it takes for the person to leave a message because the call was forwarded.

I believe what I have just said to be correct, but someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Very interesting! I still have a few other questions about using GV for voicemail only.

1. If someone calls my verizon number and lets it ring until they hear my GV voicemail message but does NOT leave a message will I get charged a minute?

2. If a person who is on my F&F list calls me and leaves a voicemail will I get charged?

3. Do I get charged each time I listen to a voicemail from within the GV app? I assumed I was using a data connection to actually listen to the message.

4. It was mentioned earlier that you must switch GV to not forward caller information in order for you not to get charged minutes. Is this also true if you are only using GV for voicemail? Or would adding the GV number to my F&F list prevent verizon from charging minutes? If this is true then questions 1-3 don't matter, haha.

Cheers!

 

[Highland Ranger]

See below . . . . .

1. If someone calls my verizon number and lets it ring until they hear my GV voicemail message but does NOT leave a message will I get charged a minute?

--->>> Not sure. Assuming you don't have F&F my guess would be yes since the conditional forward happened and the connection was made.

2. If a person who is on my F&F list calls me and leaves a voicemail will I get charged?

---->>>Without F&F you get charged for the conditional forward airtime minutes till the person hangs up I would think whether they leave a message or not.

3. Do I get charged each time I listen to a voicemail from within the GV app? I assumed I was using a data connection to actually listen to the message.

--->>> GV downloads the message locally to your phone along with the transcription if you enabled that so no airtime charge - this is data connection usage


4. It was mentioned earlier that you must switch GV to not forward caller information in order for you not to get charged minutes. Is this also true if you are only using GV for voicemail? Or would adding the GV number to my F&F list prevent verizon from charging minutes? If this is true then questions 1-3 don't matter, haha.

--->>> Need to check this brb - - ok checked it, looks like you are charged but man, is the verizon web site a real pain to try to figure this out . . . .

PS I just switched my settings to not show callerid and turned on call screening where GV announces the caller if they are in your contacts or makes unknown people announce themselves. Going to get another phone and call myself to see if that works.