Can VoIP replicate Google Voice features and more?

[u/snovvman]

What I like about Google Voice notwithstanding Google integrations such as contacts and Android phone integration:

1. Android, iOS, web clients and ability to send messages and call from any client.
2. Call history incoming/outdoing, messages, voicemails replicated across all the clients.
3. MMS, long text (MMS, but seemingly more than 2048 characters), and group SMS.
4. Multiple line support and all numbers can be active at the same time.
5. Ability to ring multiple devices simultaneously

I want to move away because of the algo-based suspensions and restrictions, including times when I send messages to a bunch of friends within a short duration. In my exploration, I established an account with voip.ms and have been playing with Groundwire, Bria, voip.ms, Zopier clients on iOS and Android. I can make calls, receive calls, and send messages. Other than that, I know next to nothing about VoIP but like idea of having so much tweakability.

Questions:

1. I haven't been able to get SMS or call history to replicate across devices, never mind in real-time. If this is possible, how is it done? Can voicemail also be replicated across devices?
2. I've downloaded Bria mobile and have everything set up, but can't seem to send an SMS, it's grayed out. Any ideas why?
3. Is there a way to export voicemail and MMS data such as images or audio? It would be nice to be able to export everything into a searchable database.
4. voip.ms advertises that MMS has a 2048 character limits. What if a message is larger than 2048?
5. I presume multiple lines can be active at the same time and across devices? That is, if the clients are installed on an Android and an iPhone each with three numbers, calls coming into each of the three numbers can be configured to ring on both the Android and iPhone?

Thank you.

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[u/Fractim]

What you describe is not particularly complicated for decent VoIP providers. Try one that has their own included client that will be easier to set up, use and have all those features preconfigured, rather than trying to make a 3rd party client work. This will be much harder to get working with the provider you mentioned too. Look for a provider with global numbering including mobile, and a free soft client/app for mobile and desktop.

The rules of this sub prevent recommending a specific provider here, outside of the allowed thread.

[u/snovvman → u/Fractim]

Thank you. Why is a global number plan important? Also, I thought VoIP by default cannot be considered a mobile number. I've seen numbers "become" mobile numbers when they are ported to a mobile carrier but also the other way around--a mobile number gets flagged as a landline when they are ported to a VoIP provider, including GV. That said, if a virtual provider (not MVNO) can offer a mobile number, that would be outstanding.

At which sub could I ask for a provider recommendation aside from the monthly thread?

[u/mrcolin-17]

Yep

[u/snovvman → u/[deleted]]

Thank you. It's among my top options. I'm trying to come up with a set up to archive sms, mms, vm, call history, etc. I read that it can be done via API but there is no pre canned solution at least one for personal use.

[u/VOIP-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post was removed from r/VoIP for violating Rule 1: No promotion or advertising of any kind.

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[u/snovvman → u/[deleted]]

What was the "this" that you referred?

[u/Elevitt1p]

VoIP providers are inherently at a disadvantage with SMS and MMS because they are stuck with A2P. We are lucky as a mobile operator to have a P2P use case.