[NewEgg]Obi 200 $59.99+$4.99 shipping

The lowest was $40 with free shipping.

The OBI200 is regularly at this price (60CAD).

That being said, I agree that this device is awesome and can make you save some money on your phone bills.
So even if it isn't a huge rebate, it might worth it to some people to get it right away at that price.

I am using its oldest brother (OBI202 : 2 lines) along with voip.ms for the last 4 years and it is still going strong.

I love those OBI devices!

also been using my obi200 with voip.ms for nearly 2 years now. it's been great, though paying for voip.ms in US funds is a little undesirable. I'm averaging $7-8 per month Canadian. Are Freephoneline and Google Voice worth looking into? My wife and I both have cells, but do enjoy having the "land line" telephones at home but would gladly switch to a free service. Can numbers be ported from voip.ms?

MarvinMartian wrote: ↑ also been using my obi200 with voip.ms for nearly 2 years now. it's been great, though paying for voip.ms in US funds is a little undesirable. I'm averaging $7-8 per month Canadian. Are Freephoneline and Google Voice worth looking into? My wife and I both have cells, but do enjoy having the "land line" telephones at home but would gladly switch to a free service. Can numbers be ported from voip.ms?

It's long but do read one of webslingers writeups. I have US google voice with us number so it works flawlessly but people calling back the US number, I used *81 to disable caller ID feature in obi 202.

I don't know if entering any Google credential will work with obi200/202 to get free US/can, but since it works in hangout dialer, it may, someone correct me thx.

MarvinMartian wrote: ↑ also been using my obi200 with voip.ms for nearly 2 years now. it's been great, though paying for voip.ms in US funds is a little undesirable. I'm averaging $7-8 per month Canadian. Are Freephoneline and Google Voice worth looking into? My wife and I both have cells, but do enjoy having the "land line" telephones at home but would gladly switch to a free service. Can numbers be ported from voip.ms?

It's not EXACTLY free.........$80 one time charge + number porting charge of $25. It's been amazing for a few members of my family for a couple years now!

MarvinMartian wrote: ↑ also been using my obi200 with voip.ms for nearly 2 years now. it's been great, though paying for voip.ms in US funds is a little undesirable. I'm averaging $7-8 per month Canadian. Are Freephoneline and Google Voice worth looking into? My wife and I both have cells, but do enjoy having the "land line" telephones at home but would gladly switch to a free service. Can numbers be ported from voip.ms?

Same boat as you, got the obi200 and voip.ms + outgoing Google Voice (with international calling).

Annoyed by the voip.ms US dollar too even though they're Canadian but I guess most of their business is from the US.

I believe you can port your number out, not sure how FPL does it though. Would be interested too. Does FPL have 911 access? That was one of the key things for me with voip.ms.

MarvinMartian wrote: ↑ Can numbers be ported from voip.ms?

To FPL? Yes, you can for $25+tax, provided the phone number is in one of these cities: https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/articles/212436086

And FPL's VoIP unlock key (so that you can use FPL on an ATA) costs a one time fee of $79.95+tax.

peteryorkuca wrote: ↑ I don't know if entering any Google credential will work with obi200/202 to get free US/can

You require a Google Voice account. However, you do not require a Google Voice phone number in order to make outgoing calls.

redkulat wrote: ↑
I believe you can port your number out, not sure how FPL does it though.

http://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/en-u ... r-porting-

Would be interested too. Does FPL have 911 access?

Yes.

I've heard scary stuff about VoIP 911. Isn't it unreliable?

VoIP E911 is a two step process. With Freephonline, after dialing 911, the initial E911 call centre, which does have my name, address, and call back number, still has to transfer the call to local dispatch (PSAP), which doesn't have my name, address, and phone number.

It's important, when signing up to a VoIP service you're planning on using 911 with that you always keep your address updated on file with them. If you move, update your address. Your VoIP service sends that information to the E911 call centre/Northern911, which they will keep on file.

In some rare instances, I suppose it's possible that Northern911 (I'm guessing this is what FPL and other VoIP services in Canada use, but I'm not sure) may not transfer to the correct local dispatch (PSAP) number (human error happens). Some people I configured services for in the past were very paranoid about VoIP E911 and forced me to do a test call. Worked fine. That is, the first person I reached had name and address info; they ask for confirmation. And the call was promptly transferred to local dispatch and correct address info was given to local dispatch, verbally, by the first call centre. Worked fine each and every time I was asked to test.

How does this compare to 911 with a landline?

Landline 911 is not a two-step process. You don't need to keep your address updated. Landlines are the most reliable for 911 calls.
But landlines don't work after your telephone lines have been knocked out by a storm.

How does this compare with Mobile 911?

Mobile 911 is not a two step process. However, they do not have your exact address, but they should have an approximate location (they should at least have the cellular site/tower that's carrying your call), especially if you're in a major city (they may have latitude and longitude). If you're in a rural area, location based on cellular towers may not be very precise. 70%+ of 911 calls are now coming from mobile phones according to the CRTC. Going forward, this is where improvements are going to be made.


Also, keep in mind that with FPL each E911 call is $35. If you dial 911 less than twice a year (or less than every 3 years with Anveo's $1.20 USD/monthly fee) vs. paying $1.50 USD/month with Callcentric or VoIP.ms, you're ahead with FPL. And you're paying an ongoing minimum monthly fee of $3.98 with Ooma. Ask yourself how often you're calling 911. If you're a senior citizen with a lot of health issues, maybe FPL is a bad idea. (And I don't mean to belittle this point. Everyone gets old. Health is a serious matter.) Otherwise, you'll end up way ahead using a FPL in the long run (in terms of cost).

Here's the thing . . . I used to talk to FPL reps several years ago over the phone, back when they allowed tech support calls. And even then a e911 fee was listed (but not in the FAQs), and I inquired about it. I was told the fee was intended to dissuade people from test calling 911--and that people wouldn't actually be charged.

Fast forward to now, and the $35 per call E911 fee is listed in the FAQs. It's listed all over the place. It's certainly enough to prevent me from testing 911 on FPL. Reps are now saying you will be charged no matter what when you dial 911. Is that true? Maybe. Is that enough to scare me from testing 911? Sure. Has anyone been charged yet? I don't know. Anyway, no one is going to be calling 911 using FPL unless it's really necessary now, and if that's the intent, I'm fine with it. And if I really need E911 as a backup (my smartphone is always nearby), it's there for me. In the meantime, I'm not paying ongoing monthly fees for something I'm not using.


Obihai OBi200/202 ATAs with the OBiBT adapter can be paired with smartphones over bluetooth: http://www.obihai.com/obibt.
Then with an Obihai OBi 200/202 ATA, you'd add {911:bt} in your OutboundCallRoute, and then all of your 911 calls on your phones go out over your smartphone's 911 cellular service, provided your smartphone remains within bluetooth range of the ATA.


By the way, There's also Anveo's E911 service ($15 USD per year) available through the Obitalk.com web portal, as an alternative 911 service (limited to a maximum of 5 e911 calls per year): https://www.anveo.com/e911obi.asp (click the link for more information). People asking for help with this Anveo E911 service should probably ask canadaodyowner, who is using this service and is also a Freephoneline customer: merged-freephoneline-ca-free-local-soft ... st24980477. I have no experience with Anveo's special E911 service.


VoIP E911 is available all the time under these conditions:

1) You have electricity. A UPS is always a good idea.

2) Your internet service isn't out.

3) Your VoIP service isn't down.

I don't know anyone who doesn't have a smartphone.

For those that want more information and guides, read through this thread: newegg-obihai-obi200-ata-49-99-1-50-ehf ... x-2067676/

Can you port a magic jack number to these things?

bkushner wrote: ↑ Can you port a magic jack number to these things?

You're not porting to the ATA, which does not come with a VoIP service (other than Obitalk device to device calling).

You port to the service provider. So, it depends on the VoIP service provider you choose.

Unlike MJ, you're not tied to a single service with this ATA.

If you want to learn more, read through this thread: newegg-obihai-obi200-ata-49-99-1-50-ehf ... x-2067676/

Anyone know how to add prefix *67 to all calls? Nothing is working for me on obihai site searches because I need more in-depth instructions.

Thanks!

the obi is great. The deal is not. This is freezing cold.

peteryorkuca wrote: ↑ Anyone know how to add prefix *67 to all calls? Nothing is working for me on obihai site searches because I need more in-depth instructions.

Thanks!

Just dial *81
http://www.obihai.com/docs/OBiFeatureStarCodes.pdf

Be advised you can't block outgoing caller ID with Google Voice. Google doesn't allow it.
Some people developed a workaround:
https://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=5451.0

For further assistance, you can ask here: https://www.obitalk.com/forum/

bogolisk wrote: ↑ the obi is great. The deal is not. This is freezing cold.

Well, the normal price is $69.99. It hasn't been cheaper than $49.99 in awhile.
The normal sale is $20. Not sure why it's only a $10 discount this time.

Btw, the FPL guide has been updated to version 1.50.
OBi200/202 Freephoneline setup guide can be found here (v. 1.50). Related OBi200 discussion can be found here. For OBi202, click here.

If this device can save you $30 per month (me) or more, then waiting for it to be $10 cheaper in a month or two does not really add up. Since you can port Winnipeg numbers to voip.ms now, going to give it a go!

You couldn't when I played around with this a few years ago...

Webslinger wrote: ↑ Just dial *81
http://www.obihai.com/docs/OBiFeatureStarCodes.pdf

Be advised you can't block outgoing caller ID with Google Voice. Google doesn't allow it.
Some people developed a workaround:
https://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=5451.0

For further assistance, you can ask here: https://www.obitalk.com/forum/

*81 unfortunately don't work with GV but *67 works fine for manual dialing. Tried few suggestions in obihai forums but being obi newbie, can't quite understand how to insert a prefix like {(<:*67>(Mpli)):pli} in calloutboundrouting where there are several and in mine, it has long coder coding too. Anyway tried replacing {(Mpli):pli} to above and failed under PHONE1 from https://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php ... 076.0;wap2

peteryorkuca wrote: ↑ *81 unfortunately don't work with GV but *67 works fine for manual dialing.

Okay, that's news to me. I didn't think either would work with GV.

Tried few suggestions in obihai forums but being obi newbie, can't quite understand how to insert a prefix like {(<:*67>(Mpli)):pli} in calloutboundrouting

M = digitmap
pli = primary line

Mpli = your primary line's digitmap

as defined by Physical Interfaces-->PHONE Port-->primary line

So, if GV isn't your primary line, then that's not going to help.

where there are several and in mine, it has long coder coding too. Anyway tried replacing {(Mpli):pli} to above and failed under PHONE1 from https://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php ... 076.0;wap2

Each entry is separated by a comma

{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<#:>):ph2},{(Mop):op},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**3:>(Msp3)):sp3},{(<**4:>(Msp4)):sp4},{(<**8:>(Mbt)):bt},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(Mpli):pli},{011xx.:SP2},{911:sp2},{933:sp2},{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<##:>):li},{(<#:>):ph2},{(<**70:>(Mli)):li},{(<**82:>(Mbt2)):bt2},{(<**81:>(Mbt)):bt},{(<**8:>(Mbt)):bt},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**3:>(Msp3)):sp3},{(<**4:>(Msp4)):sp4},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(Mpli):pli}

would become

{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<#:>):ph2},{(Mop):op},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**3:>(Msp3)):sp3},{(<**4:>(Msp4)):sp4},{(<**8:>(Mbt)):bt},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(Mpli):pli},{011xx.:SP2},{911:sp2},{933:sp2},{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<##:>):li},{(<#:>):ph2},{(<**70:>(Mli)):li},{(<**82:>(Mbt2)):bt2},{(<**81:>(Mbt)):bt},{(<**8:>(Mbt)):bt},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**3:>(Msp3)):sp3},{(<**4:>(Msp4)):sp4},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(<:*67>(Mpli)):pli}


But again, if pli is not GV (SPGV, where GV = number between 1 and 4 where GV is provisioned), then that won't help.

So, if GV is provisioned on SP2, for example, in your ATA, then


{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<#:>):ph2},{(Mop):op},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**3:>(Msp3)):sp3},{(<**4:>(Msp4)):sp4},{(<**8:>(Mbt)):bt},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(Mpli):pli},{011xx.:SP2},{911:sp2},{933:sp2},{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<##:>):li},{(<#:>):ph2},{(<**70:>(Mli)):li},{(<**82:>(Mbt2)):bt2},{(<**81:>(Mbt)):bt},{(<**8:>(Mbt)):bt},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**3:>(Msp3)):sp3},{(<**4:>(Msp4)):sp4},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(Mpli):pli}

would be


{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<#:>):ph2},{(Mop):op},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:*67>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**3:>(Msp3)):sp3},{(<**4:>(Msp4)):sp4},{(<**8:>(Mbt)):bt},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(Mpli):pli},{011xx.:SP2},{911:sp2},{933:sp2},{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<##:>):li},{(<#:>):ph2},{(<**70:>(Mli)):li},{(<**82:>(Mbt2)):bt2},{(<**81:>(Mbt)):bt},{(<**8:>(Mbt)):bt},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**3:>(Msp3)):sp3},{(<**4:>(Msp4)):sp4},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(Mpli):pli}


Hopefully, that helps you along.

FWIW, I know lots of people who auto-block anonymous calls.

I typically refuse to help with dial plans, because they're time sinks to be working on for others, and I'm pretty busy at the moment. If you require further assistance, I suggest asking on the Obitalk forums. Good luck!