I have a few questions about this feature. 1. Can I use a different home phone number (i.e. different area code) other than the area code that is assigned to our Alltel number (once we get if...if we decide to even do so)? 2. If I have a unlimited calling plan (Vonage for example), and I designate this number as my "home phone number" for this Alltel feature, will I be able to use the call forwarding Vonage feature and have my phone number forwarded to my cell phone number and have "unlimited" minutes on the Alltel number once a call is forwarded without incurring any extra charges? Example (with question): I am not at home, and I am excepting several important calls. I set the Vonage number to have the calls forwarded to my Alltel cell phone. My Alltel phone rings. Will all of these calls be treated as "unlimited" since they are being forwarded from my designated home phone number and essentially like a regular phone call from our designated home phone number? Or will they be using my anytime minutes plus the $0.10/minute call forwarding feature (or whatever the rate is) on my cell phone plan? 3. If we get a shared plan, will both numbers be able to call our home phone number with unlimited minutes on each phone? Or will only the primary line get to do this? If I have any more questions, I will post them. By the way, these questions are right now just for a general inquiry. Thanks in advance. Erik
No, your Most Often Called number must be in the same rate center as your mobile number. On the surface it seems as though that might work but there is probably some work around for it. I would be careful and try it out to see if it works... I don't have a definite answer on that for you. All lines on the same account will be able to call the M.O.C. number and have it rate as mobile-to-moblie.
Thanks for the reply MOTOhooligan. For the MOC, what is defined as the same rate center for the potential mobile number? Would I need to have it be the same as our area code? Or what if the number is a different area code (since Vonage doesn't have service in our zip code, but has service in the next area code, which is two counties away from us)? Thanks again for your help.
For example, if you live in Tampa and your cell phone is from Tampa, the MOC number would need to be able to be dialed from a Tampa landline without incurring LD charges. CS should be able to tell you if your Vonage number qualifies. It is my understanding that the billing system will not let a MOC number be entered if it does not have a valid NPA/NXX solution for that rate center. Basically, you won't be able to enter a number that doesn't qualify.
Forwarded calls show the Caller ID of the originating caller not the Caller ID of the phone doing the forwarding. Therefore your cell will see the Caller ID of whoever called your Vonage number. This means that the charge you incur on your cell phone would be exactly what you would have been charged had the person called your cell directly rather than being forwarded from Vonage. If Vonage charges for forwarding on the plan you have with them, that will be in addition. I have actually tried this using another VOIP provider. It works well but it doesn't save you any money.
I agree with this statement. Forwarded calls show the originating number, not the Vonage number. Do you already have VOIP service? I use SunRocket's VOIP service, which is a little cheaper than Vonage, and am very happy with them.
I use a service provided by maxyminutes@gmail.com that uses my MOC number for the caller-ID. I am able to make/receive unlimited calls using this service on my Alltel daily pre-paid card. CoolBreeze