http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23510855-post53.html

I thought I read somewhere that GV realized it could make money on international calls. They are already cheap and the fact that I can dial India directly is a big plus.

I think the bigger issue with google voice GV, is that since the Grandcentral purchase over 10 years ago, there really hasn't been much development or evolution of it AT ALL..

I'm not too concerned that they cancel the service or the landline obi (other) api, but I would probably expect them to at some point charge say 30$ a year to maintain the unlimited US calling and services. Who knows, every year they seem to just extend the death of it and continue to enable API's..

But, I still recommend people to get an ooma. Yes, it can cost between 30-100$ a year in taxes, 911 surcharges and local fees/taxes, NONE of which goes to ooma I believe, and it then can cost another 120$ A year to get premier for 2nd lines and such.

Overall the service is pretty rock solid, I really like the app which enables one to call anywhere in the world with their smartphone, but using their landline numbers and some free minutes, and the 2nd line features work well..

disclaimer. been a user for over 10 years now (since the beta days) and am not prepared to pay 1 cent (until my white ooma core dies) but would if it did. ;-)

You can use the GV app and call international directly. There is a setting in which only international calls are routed through GV.

international locations
 

I was actually referring to using it for when one was international, out of the usa and using the app to call back to the usa (or international calls of course) and the ooma app just acts as VOIP app, regardless of internet connection (cellular, wifi, ) or whether or not the phone used has a calling plan on it..

I haven't bene able to get GV to call out from international locations, without using the phone (dial using this phones cellular line) or call ala VOIP over wifi..texting, sure, but not calling?

How does one do that?

Hangouts. It is something new I believe. Previously I used Skype. Would buy their unlimited US & Canada package of $3/month and use their app.

yes
 

yes, in the last android iteration at least some of this functionality moved to hangouts and was pretty stripped from GV...but I still don't know how it works as a dial out phone, to a DID/Mobile/other as a VOIP only service, not leveraging the core cellular phone? Unless the OTHER party is also on hangouts?

Thankfully I locked in lifetime Premier. They were even kind enough to move it only a new unit when my original died on me.

Really can't complain about them. I've paid less in the past 5 or 6 years for phone service than I used to pay every three months.

I have been using ooma for 2 months. In multiple instances I notice there is a lag and I was talking over the other person. In some cases there was echo. I checked my internet connection using speedtest and it is a constant 24/10 down/up. What could be wrong?

Speed isn't the main factor in good quality VOIP - latency is. Do a ping to a site like Google or even ooma.com and see how long it takes for each portion to respond. You may need to tweak your network settings, or enable Quality of Service on your router.

Just came back from a trip to Australia and Indonesia and was able to use hangouts to call the US for free when I had wifi. Was also able to call an Aussie cell phone#. Make sure you download the hangouts dialer in addition to the main app.

I have Ooma set to forward ALL my calls to my cellphone. Do I actually need to have the Ooma box turned on and plugged into my network, or is all the forwarding done server-side so that I could simply turn the box off?

If it's not set for "one network outage only" it will forward all calls. When I travel abroad, I often turn the box off completely, along with a whole mess of other items while traveling. Works fine.

you CAN also use the iphone/android app now to make, receive calls. Works quite well actually, calls come directly to the device, regardless of connection type. Helps segregate calls - AND calling for ooma users (maybe premier only) is free on the mobile app regardless of location. Sound quality is much better than skype as well.

Thanks. Only reason I can see to leave on with a phone connected is for an E911 call.

Yes, I've used their mobile app since the first version. It's consistently gotten better and better.

I am paying AT&T a bit over 50 dollars a month for a landline due to a security system that needs such a thing and very poor cellular reception.

Is Ooma still a viable method to get rid of this landline?

If you have a stable internet connection, then yes..although some security companies won't allow it since it won't work in a power outage.. I have mine on a backup, cable modem, router, ooma, so everything works even when the house power goes down. Its funny sometimes to be on the internet in the dark. ;-)

That said, MOST telcos will offer a landline just for a security system. We switch a house in Palm Beach to that for year round, ATT (bell south) does it for 10$ a month.. it keeps the line just for the security system dial out, and satisfies the security company and the house insurance company so the service and rates remained static. That might be an option for you. you need to get a higher level of service advisor to enable it though and it often will require a service call - usually free - for a new line JUST to the security box. This is the same pricing in many markets as the "life line" type of service.