Help Porting number to Google Voice?

[jonnyboy2]

I don't get very good reception in my residential building, so I was thinking about porting my number to Google Voice. However I'm a little confused at what that means in terms of getting a new number, etc. as per explained in the [FAQ](https://support.google.com/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1065667).

My main concern is with how I need to get a new number from my carrier. Does this mean texts, calls, etc. will appear to come from my Google number or my new number?

Also if at any point I stop using Google Voice, will I be able to transfer my old number back?

Will calls be carried out through Google Voice, and require data connection?

How will voice mail work?

Thanks!

 

[gothicnerd1033]

Basically, Google voice is a "forwarder" that can work through the data/wifi, Instead of through the phone signal.

You will have to set up a google voice number(your own free number), And give people that number to call you. You can set google voice to forward to your main cell phone number for when you have service, Or you can use a program like talkatone alongside with google voice, that will go directly from your phone through the wifi/data, using none of your cell minutes. You can have both numbers still intact, And dont have to port anything.

Do a google search on talkatone and read up on that app. I use it myself, And like having basically unlimited minutes, As long as I have some sort of data signal(either wifi or 3g/4g), But if you forward your google number to your main cell phone number, It will still use your minutes.

Edit: You can set google to display either your google number or your cell number when making the calls through talkatone, But if you are going to use that mostly, Id recommend showing the google number on other peoples caller ID.

 

[Droidula]

I tried Talkatone and also GrooVe IP with Google Voice, and it didn't work well. Voice cut off, there were delays, and other issues. I tried using different settings, but it was a hassle. In the end, I decided to do without it.

 

[gothicnerd1033]

I tried Talkatone and also GrooVe IP with Google Voice, and it didn't work well. Voice cut off, there were delays, and other issues. I tried using different settings, but it was a hassle. In the end, I decided to do without it.

Thats weird. I havent had any issues using talkatone, Even over 3g. There wasnt any cutouts or call drops(As long as I didnt lose 3g reception). there is a slight delay though, But there is even a half second delay just using regular phones nowadays. It wasnt much more than average delay.

 

[jonnyboy2]

Basically, Google voice is a "forwarder" that can work through the data/wifi, Instead of through the phone signal.

You will have to set up a google voice number(your own free number), And give people that number to call you. You can set google voice to forward to your main cell phone number for when you have service, Or you can use a program like talkatone alongside with google voice, that will go directly from your phone through the wifi/data, using none of your cell minutes. You can have both numbers still intact, And dont have to port anything.

Do a google search on talkatone and read up on that app. I use it myself, And like having basically unlimited minutes, As long as I have some sort of data signal(either wifi or 3g/4g), But if you forward your google number to your main cell phone number, It will still use your minutes.

Edit: You can set google to display either your google number or your cell number when making the calls through talkatone, But if you are going to use that mostly, Id recommend showing the google number on other peoples caller ID.

I don't want to have two separate numbers, that would just confuse people. I just want to use one main number, which is why I'm considering porting my number.
So, anyone else know the answers to my questions?

 

[gothicnerd1033]

I don't want to have two separate numbers, that would just confuse people. I just want to use one main number, which is why I'm considering porting my number.
So, anyone else know the answers to my questions?

Give people the google number and tell them not to call the old number? Almost like you bought a new phone? Its too much to port a number and you will not be able to port back. Simple as that. Once I hooked up my google number to my phone, I pretended the cell number didnt exist and gave everyone my google number. No problem there. Isnt confusing anyone.

Plus, If you ever do change to a different carrier or a different cell number, You just simply set up the phone to accept your current google number.. And dont have to worry about telling people a new number all the time. they will always have your google number, Which will be active all the time on whatever phone you set it up on, No matter what(unless you cancel your google voice). You can even set google voice to ring multiple phones at the same time(House and cell and work all at the same time, That way you will always get the call no matter where you are.)

These ARE the answers to your questions, And if you cannot accept them, Oh well.

 

[Droidula]

Thats weird. I havent had any issues using talkatone, Even over 3g. There wasnt any cutouts or call drops(As long as I didnt lose 3g reception). there is a slight delay though, But there is even a half second delay just using regular phones nowadays. It wasnt much more than average delay.

I had the delays over both 3G and WiFi. It was also a lot longer than a second. I'd even emailed the developer, and he couldn't troubleshoot it. I'll probably try it again at some point, or when I have a different phone.

 

[gothicnerd1033]

I had the delays over both 3G and WiFi. It was also a lot longer than a second. I'd even emailed the developer, and he couldn't troubleshoot it. I'll probably try it again at some point, or when I have a different phone.

It might depend on connection speeds. I have 50mb/s down and 10 up.. So Im sure that has something to do with it. And my 3g speeds around here are also really fast considering I live right in the center of a city, With pretty good reception.

Milage may vary.