New phoneline, no new phone
April 8, 2009 1:06 PM Subscribe
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?
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?
Google Voice does both (but currently not yet open to the general public).
posted by jaimev at 1:12 PM on April 8, 2009
posted by jaimev at 1:12 PM on April 8, 2009
Response by poster: 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, 2009
posted by messylissa at 1:14 PM on April 8, 2009
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, 2009
posted by radioamy at 1:33 PM on April 8, 2009
Best answer: 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, 2009
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, 2009
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, 2009
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, 2009
Tossable Digits - no eBay wheedling required.
http://www.tossabledigits.com/
posted by DavidNYC at 1:52 AM on April 9, 2009
http://www.tossabledigits.com/
posted by DavidNYC at 1:52 AM on April 9, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by frieze at 1:08 PM on April 8, 2009