Is Google Voice An Option As a Voicemail Service

June 14, 2017 4:05 PM

I am cutting back on expenses. I am considering suspending my smartphone service. A friend suggested that I switch to Skype. I would like the incoming calls go directly to an answering service. Is Google Voice an option for a Skype phone number? To be clear, the smartphone account will be suspended and I do not have a landline
posted by goalyeehah to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Do you mean an answering service-- like a person you pay to answer your calls? Or do you mean voicemail? Google Voice can forward your calls (and texts) to any number and to your email address and it can act like a voicemail box that you never pick up.

I have a burner phone that I load up with $100 worth of minutes and it lasts me forever. I use Google Voice as my main number and only forward to the phone when I'm expecting a call/text. Otherwise, the caller/texter can leave a message and I deal with it whenever I want. I would recommend making a burner phone part of your plan. They are just so cheap, especially when used in this way.

But also, I make maybe 1 phone call a month or less. If you're actively sending/receiving calls or texts with any frequency, especially while away from your computer, a completely phone-less setup will not work well.
posted by paulcole at 4:22 PM on June 14, 2017

Response by poster: I mean voicemail. And I would make less that 10-15 calls a month.
posted by goalyeehah at 4:37 PM on June 14, 2017

Google voice with Google Hangouts is enough to receive and make calls if you have an internet connection. Google voice will handle your voicemails. Google hangouts can be used to make outgoing calls. Incoming calls are free worldwide. Outgoing calls are free to U.S. phone numbers.

For example, you can use your smartphone on wifi and do the above. Keep in mind that you need an active phone number to first sign up for Google Voice (needed for verification). After that, you can cancel/suspend your cell phone plan and stop forwarding calls to that number in Google Voice settings. Then your calls will go directly to Google voicemail that you can check later. (or calls can even be answered live via Google Hangouts app on smartphone or PC when you have an internet connection).

Also take a look at current Sprint promotion that is offering free service (call/data unlimited) for one full year if you switch from a post-paid account of t-mo/att/Verizon.
posted by thewildgreen at 6:24 PM on June 14, 2017 [2 favorites]

Yes. I have several Google Voice numbers that are no longer linked to a cell or land line number set on Do Not Disturb. I can use it to text or call, inbound or outbound from my laptop or PC.
posted by AugustWest at 12:22 AM on June 15, 2017

Why do you need Skype at all? You should be able to swing it with Google alone. It's also cheaper.
posted by redlines at 9:19 AM on June 15, 2017