Question for 2 lines

**MisterEd** · 11-21-2009 09:38 PM

I have 2 dedicated lines (currantly on Vonage) I am considering moving to Voipo. I do NOT want a virtual number because if someone dials the virtual number the main number will ring.

Here is the situation: I rarely use the 2nd line but need to keep it as a dedicated number/line. Vonage has provided me with a "zero minute" 4c/min if I make a call outbound line with unlimited inbound for $5/month. No it is NOT a virtual number.

Is there a way I can do something similar here?

**fisamo** · 11-21-2009 10:05 PM

I understand that you do not believe that you want a virtual number. However, Voipo has an interesting offer (involving a so-called 'virtual number') that may fit your situation nicely.

You can purchase a single account at the current promotional rate. That account comes with a 'cloned line' ... If you are not already familiar with the concept, the cloned line operates from the Line2 port on your ATA and functions as a second line that rings concurrently but independently of your Line1. (In other words, if nobody's on the phone and a call comes in, both lines ring. If someone's on Line1 and a call comes in, Line1 hears a call-waiting tone while Line2 rings, and vice versa for if someone's on Line2. If both lines are in use, I believe both will hear CW tones.)

With Voipo, if you purchase a virtual number, you can 'upgrade' your cloned line to a second line, associated with your virtual number. Once this upgrade step is completed, calls to your virtual number do not ring your main line and calls to your main line do not ring your VN. Calls placed from your virtual number 'line' are billed against your main account (ie. int'l calls), and your total account usage is combined prior to any 'abuse check' (looking for commercial-level activity on the residential account) analysis.

The cost for this VN is $4/mo if paid monthly or $24/yr if paid annually. There is no upcharge for 'upgrading' your VN to a 2nd line. Based on your description, this feature set should work well for you.

**usa2k** · 11-22-2009 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by fisamo

The cost for this VN is $4/mo if paid monthly or $24/yr if paid annually. There is no upcharge for 'upgrading' your VN to a 2nd line. Based on your description, this feature set should work well for you.

If that is the VN price they should advertise it better. I always associate the pricing from the separate forwarding service that is $36 per year.

My virtual was a special promotion, so I have not really seen the rate they charge. A test/mock purchase did tell me the rate you quoted. That is a great price, especially for the line upgrade.

BTW: Its just as easy to downgrade via vPanel as it is to upgrade.
(Truthfully I've not tried that, but it looks like you 'upgrade' back to the primary number for cloned line again.)

**MisterEd** · 11-22-2009 12:02 PM

Perfect. That would be exactly what I want.

Only problem was I just went to sign up and the 2nd yr free promo was gone.

I'll wait until they offer it again. I understand it comes and goes very often.

Originally Posted by fisamo

I understand that you do not believe that you want a virtual number. However, Voipo has an interesting offer (involving a so-called 'virtual number') that may fit your situation nicely.

You can purchase a single account at the current promotional rate. That account comes with a 'cloned line' ... If you are not already familiar with the concept, the cloned line operates from the Line2 port on your ATA and functions as a second line that rings concurrently but independently of your Line1. (In other words, if nobody's on the phone and a call comes in, both lines ring. If someone's on Line1 and a call comes in, Line1 hears a call-waiting tone while Line2 rings, and vice versa for if someone's on Line2. If both lines are in use, I believe both will hear CW tones.)

With Voipo, if you purchase a virtual number, you can 'upgrade' your cloned line to a second line, associated with your virtual number. Once this upgrade step is completed, calls to your virtual number do not ring your main line and calls to your main line do not ring your VN. Calls placed from your virtual number 'line' are billed against your main account (ie. int'l calls), and your total account usage is combined prior to any 'abuse check' (looking for commercial-level activity on the residential account) analysis.

The cost for this VN is $4/mo if paid monthly or $24/yr if paid annually. There is no upcharge for 'upgrading' your VN to a 2nd line. Based on your description, this feature set should work well for you.

**MisterEd** · 11-22-2009 12:05 PM

One more quick question. How does VOICEMAIL work on this cloned line? Is it separate from the main line or do they both share the same voicemail?

Originally Posted by usa2k

If that is the VN price they should advertise it better. I always associate the pricing from the separate forwarding service that is $36 per year.

My virtual was a special promotion, so I have not really seen the rate they charge. A test/mock purchase did tell me the rate you quoted. That is a great price, especially for the line upgrade.

BTW: Its just as easy to downgrade via vPanel as it is to upgrade.
(Truthfully I've not tried that, but it looks like you 'upgrade' back to the primary number for cloned line again.)

**fisamo** · 11-22-2009 12:16 PM

When you sign up for a virtual number, you can have it use the main voicemail box or a separate voicemail account.

As for pricing, take a look at the bottom line. The previous offer was $175 for one year (then one year free), plus $36 for the 1st year taxes and fees (not charged the 2nd year), for a total of $211 for 2 years of service. The current pricing is $99 plus $36 for one year of service ($135, which would be $270 for two years, if you can purchase that second year at this time).

I'm not going to speculate about the promotions that are offered from time to time - as I understand, Tim uses sales numbers and probably other marketing surveys to decide what promotions to offer. I will only recommend that you go ahead and buy in when you feel that the offer is a fair price to you, knowing that you could just as easily miss a bigger discount (better promotion) as you could spare yourself a larger price tag when any given promotion ends.

**caseydoug** · 11-22-2009 01:28 PM

Fisamo, once you upgrade your cloned line to a second line, it was my understanding that you CANNOT use your primary line voice mailbox with the second line. Am I wrong?

Also, are you certain that international calls can be made from the second line? Are they counted against your 60 free minutes for the primary line?

**MisterEd** · 11-22-2009 01:30 PM

@Fisamo

Yea, but 12 hrs ago I could lock in 2 years for sure and save $60 on top of that according to your math.

Being part of the USA 10.2% since late January I need to save what I can. I'll keep checking over the next week or 2 and see what happens. I'm currenty paid up on Vonage for another 3 weeks plus I KNOW there will be a hassle with them when I cancel ($40/line x 2 cancel fees) and actually getting them to release my number (I worked for them for over a year and know their "tricks.").

Maybe Voipo has a "Black Friday" or "Cyber Monday" deal in the works.

It's not an emergency rush to switch.

**fisamo** · 11-22-2009 01:43 PM

Sorry to hear about your job situation, and best wishes at finding a new one soon. If you're not in an emergency rush to switch services, then by all means--take your time!

Does Vonage still require you to give them 10-days notice (before the next billing cycle) to cancel? As I recall, they did 5 years ago, not sure if that's changed.

@caseydoug:
The second line does appear to allow you to allow/block int'l calls, but I haven't tried making any yet. Perhaps a Voipo insider can chime in and indicate if Line 2 calls are billed against the 60 free minutes, etc.

As for voicemail, I apologize--you are right on that one. Once you upgrade the VN to its own separate line, you get two separate voicemail accounts, whether you like it or not.

**burris** · 11-22-2009 02:26 PM

I would imagine that the cloned line is just that...it has no individual identity and when I look at my call logs, I see that all calls, no matter if they come in or go out, show up in one place on the one account.