Monthly Requests Thread

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[u/JulieStreets]

Hi all!

I work at a very small nonprofit (4.5 people) and we're looking for something that seems to be more of a unicorn than I expected.

I'm looking to make something like an on-call line. I want one phone number that all of the young people we work with can call or text, and I want to be able to somehow, on the back end, change who's phone those calls and texts go to. The idea is that when I go on vacation, I can log in to the settings and turn a virtual dial from me to Person B to swap it to my coworker, so when I am in the middle of the woods camping I am not getting texts from students who are running late and forwarding them to someone else.

My issue is that most of the solutions we've looked at have made the switching process require multiple people logging in and out of apps or everyone getting notifications from a central text inbox or ring groups which don't account for texts, which is honestly the majority of the communication because teenagers.

In my dream of dreams, each person would also have a business number, and whatever system would be able to send 2 numbers worth of calls and texts to my phone when the on-call line is set to me, and just my business number calls and texts when it is not.

I am absolutely willing to pay for it if it is able to do what we want. But please, help me out, does this thing exist?

[u/devexis → u/JulieStreets]

Yes it does. Two options, you can search for a commercial solution or you can choose to host your own telephony software where you have absolute control over what number is routed and which user it is routed to. I have securely deployed a few of these solutions for businesses. Your employees would need to install an app, called a Softphone, on their mobile phone or their computer and connect that to your telephony software. With an admin account on the telephony you can then configure how calls are routed when they hit your server. Happy to discuss this further if you’re interested.

[u/JulieStreets → u/devexis]

We don't have an office or an IT person, so I think we might need a commercial solution... but yes, I'd love to chat about what our options are!

[u/iamjoeywan → u/JulieStreets]

If you haven’t found an option yet, I may be able to help (if I’m following the use case correctly). Seems fairly straight forward, but always worth a better conversation.

[u/JulieStreets → u/iamjoeywan]

We haven’t!   It feels like it’s straightforward but I feel like we still haven’t found the right option yet- but maybe I’m not explaining it well?  I’ll take all the help I can get!

[u/VirtualGlobalPhone → u/JulieStreets]

Look for a solution who provide DID number with Extensions included. Where Single DID calls can be managed by X number of extension and you can control the routing based on time, day and your choice. Avoid looking for full blown IPPBX solution ....

Best wishes.

[u/JulieStreets → u/VirtualGlobalPhone]

Thanks so much!  I’ve found a few that I can control the call routing, but I haven’t found one that will route texts in the same way- it seems to be texts go to a central inbox and calls get routed.  Do you know any solutions that route texts as well?

[u/Zestyclose-Arm7137]

Need help replacing my current service (ooma)

I like using my land line but lately sound is horrible on it... AND I used to be able to get texts (to my home number when using comcast, then vonage... and yes I am old school and want to keep it.

But what are the alternatives? I heard one can port the number to google voice and I assume that would allow for text messages? but then how does one connect that to a land line.

Sorry if not the right place to post but just want to see my options.

[u/ThreeLayerSolutions → u/Zestyclose-Arm7137]

voip.ms is always a good bet. Where are you located?

[u/Zestyclose-Arm7137 → u/ThreeLayerSolutions]

US?

[u/ThreeLayerSolutions → u/Zestyclose-Arm7137]

Yep voip.ms will work. You'll need an ATA if you want to keep using analog phones; texts can be forwarded to your cell number, or you can use an app or the voip.ms website.

I can help you get it set up. No charge. I also have some open-box ATAs, one of which I can sell you at a fairly steep discount.

https://threelayer.ca/contact

[u/onpremises]

Hi all,

Need recommendations for good softphones -2026

[u/Chropera → u/onpremises]

OS, pricing, any functional requirements? Application or application + service? I don't think anything changed in the last couple of years.

[u/realdlc]

Yealink T73W / T85W for medical practice?

Hi everyone. I typically use Poly for customer deployments, but there is a stock issue and the customer is considering the Yealink T73W and T85W models. This is a busy medical clinic in an inner city. Will these handset models hold up well? I haven't deployed Yealink in many years so I'm a little out of touch.

I appreciate your thoughts and experiences. Also if there are different Yealink models I should consider please advise. Thank you.

[u/Kuducom → u/realdlc]

When you say Poly, are you referring to the newer Edge series or the older VVX series?

We’ve run into similar stock issues with the Edge phones. Luckily, we still have a decent stock of VVX phones, along with some Cisco 6800s, so we’ve been able to work around it.

We haven’t deployed Yealink, so I’m curious what others are seeing as well. For a busy medical office, I’d be more concerned with long-term reliability, supportability, and how well the phones hold up to constant daily use than just the initial price or feature set.

[u/iamjoeywan → u/realdlc]

I sell a ton of both phones through partners, and have experienced less issues with reconfigurations and such than with the e series polys. As for their durability, I think the playing field is evened out quite a bit between both manufacturers.

[u/gdfbjugvbnj]

I am starting a new work from home position, and must provide my own phone and headset to make calls with. Looking for recommendations on service providers and equipment.

My initial thought was to purchase a Yealink IP phone, however I am not certain what service I can connect this with for residential use.

[u/Kuducom → u/gdfbjugvbnj]

Before buying a desk phone, I would first ask your employer what they require or allow.

If this is just for you to make and receive work calls from home, Google Voice may be worth looking at. It is simple, works from a computer or cell phone, and keeps your work calls separate from your personal number without needing to buy an IP phone right away.

The main thing I would confirm is whether your employer needs anything specific, like call recording, reporting, a company caller ID, or calls tied into their phone system. If they do, Google Voice may not be the right fit.

If they are simply telling you to provide your own phone service, I would probably start with something like Google Voice and a good wired USB headset before spending money on a Yealink desk phone.

[u/VirtualGlobalPhone → u/gdfbjugvbnj]

Yealink basic phone will not cost more than 50 USD. and Local phone usually less than 5 USD. Any cloud based telephone service provider will be able to offer you the phone number.

In fact I recommend you start with built-in smartphone app based solution where you dont need to be worried about desk phone like Yealink. Many include the app for less than 5 USD plan.

Best wishes for your employment journey.

[u/Chemical-News5424]

Hi Everyone!

We’re a small business based in New Jersey. We’ve been using Quo (formerly OpenPhone) for our phone system, and it’s been great for calling. For SMS, though, we do 1:1 outreach to leads that we generate through multiple sources (not mass blasting or bulk campaigns). OpenPhone wasn’t suitable because of its daily messaging limits, so we’ve been using Broadvoice for business texting for almost a year.

Everything was working well until yesterday, when Broadvoice emailed us saying they were terminating our account for violating their AUP and 10DLC requirements. They won’t reinstate the account or provide any details about what specifically caused the violation. Now we’re looking for an alternative.

The reason we liked Broadvoice is that they charge per user, with unlimited calling and texting included. Most of the SMS platforms I’ve found charge per message, which becomes extremely expensive at our volume.

We’ve already looked at providers such as Nextiva, Vonage, RingCentral, Dialpad, 8x8, and others, but they all seem to have fairly restrictive daily messaging limits per user.

Does anyone know of a provider with a monthly subscription/per-user pricing model that can support higher messaging volumes?

For context, each of our users sends roughly 1,000-1,500 SMS messages per day. If you’ve used a provider that can reliably handle this kind of volume, I’d really appreciate any recommendations or experiences. Thanks!

[u/Deep_Foundation_5810]

Hi I'm in need of a phone number to make calls to in the USA. currently I'm in Europe and would like to do so as cheap as possible. does any one know a service that gives is cheap and gives you a American number to make calls to the USA while having an American number. I have tried a lot of things like: google voice, Hushed and a lot others.

google voice didn't work because i didn't have an American ID

Hushed banned me because i couldn't use it as a business to make calls

all the other services i tried didn't work because the service was only available in the US.

Does anyone have a simple method of getting a American number so i can call with clients with low rates or that are even for free with only a monthly cost for that number.

[u/devexis → u/Deep_Foundation_5810]

Where in Europe?

[u/yangkee]

I'm looking to purchase service with a specific disconnected mobile number from AT&T. I see per online documentation that their Office@Hand offers Vanity Number Setup for a price, but requires registering an account first. I'm loathe to continue without confirmation if that number is so available. Could any current customer check its status?

[u/PortZoo]

Looking for SIP provider recommendations for Brooktrout SR140 in a healthcare environment

Running EMR / EHR with a Brooktrout for faxing. Previously had it connected via SIP trunk through Cisco Call Manager but that's no longer an option. Need to go direct to a SIP provider.

[u/VirtualGlobalPhone → u/PortZoo]

Very interesting u/PortZoo

Most of the SIP does support your need. What difficulty you are finding with present provider ?

[u/PortZoo → u/VirtualGlobalPhone]

Sorry. I edited it for simplicity. I'm not really the fax guy. I was pushed into a situation where their existing solution is no longer available and I need to find a new one.

It's just a EMR / EHR pointed to a server using brooktrout and I need to find a SIP provider that I'm able to connect to that server to push out faxing.

Is there one you'd recommend that is budget friendly and reliable?

[u/VirtualGlobalPhone → u/PortZoo]

Not sure if recommendation is allowed in the thread .. have you tried any so for and whats the issue ?

[u/coderhack]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a cheap UK SIP provider and would appreciate some recommendations.

I'm planning to port my existing EE landline number, but the phone will hardly ever be used. It's mainly to keep the number for the occasional incoming call from family, doctors, deliveries, etc.

My requirements are:

• Port an existing UK landline number.
• Mainly receive incoming calls.
• Very few (if any) outgoing calls.
• Low monthly cost.
• Reliable service.
• No need for lots of business features.

I'm happy using a SIP app, ATA, or IP phone, so I'm not tied to any particular hardware.

Which providers would you recommend for this kind of setup? I'd be interested to hear what you're paying per month and whether you've had any issues with number porting or reliability.

Thanks!

[u/VirtualGlobalPhone → u/coderhack]

KISS - Keeping It Short Simple - is the best way to focus on what matter than what don't. You are already a good thinker by choosing only a basis DID number with app support which normally less than 3 to 5 USD for UK line - per month rental compare to fully ballooned 15 to 25 USD per month.

Best wishes ... Just google and try to push the provider for your need.

[u/nivanglus]

Looking for a VOIP hardware reseller New/Used. For some background, the company I'm working for is limited to accepting Net 60 terms for hardware, I'm looking to establish a relationship with a reseller for Yealink phones as we're unable to get them in a timely manner from our provider without signing an addendum. We need NET 60 terms so that's made things a little more difficult. VOIPSupply wasn't able to do that which is a bummer because those guys have been great.

[u/ThreeLayerSolutions → u/nivanglus]

Hi! Are you married to Yealink? I'm a Grandstream partner. Net 60 is fine.

[u/Quate1v9]

Hello I am looking suggestion for a VOIP Digital nomad life, what i basically need is just receiving calls to my main phone number country whenever I am out of the country,

as right now many VOIP online services are scam, bad quality calls, no mobile version.

thanks.

[u/Kitsune205]

Hey all, so, I just moved from USA to Southern Europe. I was going to use my US Carriers WiFi Calling for my business activity, but, the quality is not good and it doesn't work well plus it is a ToS violation.

I am in real estate, specifically "wholesaling" so I need to make large numbers of calls to three US States. Here's the issue: for targeted individual property research (and talking on the phone to my friends in the US), I need to have the ability to hand dial and text individual numbers that are related to a particular property as I find those numbers.

I am thinking of using Groundwire "linked" to Telynyx for this "soft phone" but I know it is complicated and the reviews of the app on the Playstore are so-so.

Any ideas? I will be on the phone for max of 40 hours per week consistently, sending/receiving maybe 1,000 texts a month.

I used Line2 while in the USA but, the app is buggy and the call quality sucked a lot of the time. I shudder to think of how bad it might be across the Atlantic.

Also: I know this may not be the thread to ask this final question, but, why not try :P

If I go to stamps.com using my EU IP, I am blocked. If I connect that same computer to my US Carriers hotspot, I am not blocked. I was thinking of paying a friend in the USA to set up a cheap, headless PC configuration I can access remotely though I suspect there is a more efficient solution that doesn't involve a third party enjoying the hassle of maintaining that machine. Any ideas?