New phoneline, no new phone

April 8, 2009 1:06 PM

Can I pay for just a phone number and forward the calls to my existing phone?

I want to have a separate phone number for some business and have those calls come to my current phone (call forwarding, in other words). I don't, however, want to purchase any new equipment.

Bonus: Any way to return those calls with the new number displaying on the recipient's caller ID?

posted by messylissa to technology (10 comments total)

You want a remote call forwarding account. I know that Verizon offers them.
posted by frieze at 1:08 PM on April 8

Skype can do this, too.
posted by devbrain at 1:10 PM on April 8

Google Voice does both (but currently not yet open to the general public).
posted by jaimev at 1:12 PM on April 8

I looked into Skype, but must have missed this. I can purchase a number through them and have it forwarded to my cell? I don't have a data plan with my cell, and my impression of Skype was that you needed to dl the software.
posted by messylissa at 1:14 PM on April 8

You can definitely do this with Google voice (formerly Grand Central). I know one MeFite who has an account, I'll see if he can send you an invite.
posted by radioamy at 1:33 PM on April 8

That would be amazing radioamy.
posted by messylissa at 1:43 PM on April 8

Re: Grand Central, I asked a few months ago and apparently the invites are no longer available. Either you got in already or you didn't. shucks.

Re: Skype. No, you want the SkypeIn which can (for a small fee) also SkypeOut to a regular landline or cell phone. My folks have this set up -- they have a SkypeIn number in New York which I dial, and it rings their home line in the UK. No computer involved, except if they are online at the time they can choose to pick up on the skype software, or let it ring to the regular phone.

I think it costs them about $5/month for 10,000 minutes of talk time.
posted by devbrain at 1:50 PM on April 8

I don't have a data plan with my cell, and my impression of Skype was that you needed to dl the software.

nope, you can forward to any number—cell phone or landline, the latter of which you obviously wouldn't be able to install anything on. google voice is great but can't send invites yet, and i'm not sure when it'll be open to more people.
posted by lia at 1:52 PM on April 8

You can buy Google Voice numbers on eBay.
posted by cda at 5:36 PM on April 8

Tossable Digits - no eBay wheedling required.

http://www.tossabledigits.com/
posted by DavidNYC at 1:52 AM on April 9