This is slightly off subject but I have used various VOIP (voice over internet protocol) services for the last 25 years. My initial interest was to save money on local long distance. We moved out of town about 30 years ago and we could not call people who were 25 miles away without paying local long distance to the phone company. Plus, our monthly rate kept going up, and if anyone can remember what dealing with local phone companies used to be like... Our big break came when a trench was dug and cable TV was made available to our home, something that we were told a month or two before, would “never happen”. This eventually enabled us to get “cable internet” and use VOIP service providers.
In the beginning we used Vonage but ended up switching various other VOIP providers who offered us better deals such as 8x8 and Magic Jack. Then in 2012 we discovered Google Voice using Obihai devices, this provided the same home landline telephone service for free once you purchased the device for around $40. There were a few minor glitches... in the beginning setup was fairly complicated.
The original OBi100 adapter lost its connectivity within a couple of years because of changes made to Google Voice. We had to switch to superior OBi202 adapters with 2 lines and better FAX capabilities and easier setup which cost around $70 in 2014. I helped my parents and others port their landlines to Google Voice. I ended up purchasing around half a dozen OBi202 adapters.
With the massive Covid scam, we started using Skype, Zoom, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, and whatever other video calling software our friends and associates insisted on using for various needs and events. Even Google Voice can be used for Video calls when using the app on your cell phone or computer.
Unfortunately, the ownership of OBihai has been passed from one company to another over the past several years. The OBiTALK Consumer Portal was shut down on October 31, 2024, which will eventually be cause all remaining devices to stop working. HP, the current owner will not guarantee continued operation with Google Voice. While most OBiHAI devices are currently still functioning, the eventual expiration of security certificates will end their ability to use Google Voice sometime soon. Google has no plans that I know of to make similar devices to the OBihai 200 series to be used with their service... It looks like the free ride is about over.
I remember now that the second VOIP service that we subscribed to after Vonage was called “Packet 8”. It was considerably cheaper than Vonage. They were purchased by “8x8”. In the VOIP business there have always been constant buyouts and takeovers.
Anyway... I found the most recent directions to use Google Voice with an Internet Telephone Service Provider (ITSP) and a VoIP device... So, there are workarounds if you still want a free landline that uses Google Voice.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Googlevoice/comments/18inqwk/use_google_voice_with_an_internet_telephone/
“The original OBi100 adapter lost its connectivity within a couple of years because of changes made to Google Voice.”
I used both until 5 years ago. Was a great free landline until.....
Now I have google voice on my smart phone. So now have 2 telephone numbers that I use. The real smart phone number plus the google voice number.
I have google voice on my desktop computer so that I can easily type and text people/ You can install google voice on a laptop or tablet and use it as a telephone. With a headset w microphone I can do same w my desktop...
With smart phone I am on google voice anywhere via phones data plan. With all the others above I must be on a Wi-Fi. Mainly on my home Wi-Fi.... But It might be Home Depots Wi-Fi or at Starbucks Wi-Fi