Need suggestions in finding call forwarding/virtual phone number service
November 30, 2008 8:55 PM 
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I am looking for a call forwarding service. I would like to have a single phone number that would not change. I would then like to forward any calls to this number to multiple phones simultaneously. No call screening needed, just have whichever phone picks up the call first take the call.
I would also like the service I choose to handle voicemail so that I could deactivate voicemail on the “destination” phones and just have one voice-mail box. Perhaps explaining my situation might help …
I have a PDA phone that I like quite a bit (let’s call it phone A), however there is one problem. The cellular provider that Phone A is sold through does not have the best coverage in some of the areas that I travel to. There is another cellular provider that has better and more complete cellular coverage in my area; however it is impossible to use Phone A on this network. I would like to carry a second phone (let’s call it Phone B) that works on the network with more coverage for those times when I am going to be in areas where Phone A does not have coverage. By having a single number that rings through to both phones I can be pretty sure I won’t miss a call. I would only need to turn phone B on when Phone A is out of coverage (about 20% of the time).
There are many services out there. That’s why I was hoping to get some feedback from the “hive” and perhaps some suggestions. Here is some data about my usage that might help.
1. I receive anywhere between 500 to 700 minutes a month in calls.
2. I do not have the need to make or receive calls outside the United States.
3. I would like my phone number to also be able to receive faxes in addition to forwarding voice calls.
4. I need to have all “destination” phones ring at the same time. Not in sequence as the caller might hang up by the time it rings on the second “destination” phone.
Well I know that’s a lot of info to post, but I wanted to explain the context in which I would be using this solution. Here are some services I have looked at in case others are interested in the same thing.
1. RingCentral.com
2. MakeJustOneCall.com
3. My1Voice.com
4. GotVMail.com
5. InnoPort.com
I have also found that several of the VOIP providers (Vonage, ViaTalk, PhonePower, etc ...) offer these services as a package when someone installs a VOIP phone in their home; however, I am not sure if I could still use these services if I didn’t have a VOIP phone installed at my residence. I only use my cell phone and have no need for a VOIP phone at home. Thanks everyone!
posted by DerekTheGeek at 9:03 PM on November 30, 2008