Cell phone add-on service

[pcdunlop]

It would be nice to have a cell phone add-on service for users with my-fav voice plans only (without data plans) so that when we dial our FPL number we get a dial tone to call out and the incoming calls forward to the cell phone number.

[FONGO_steve]

Have you checked out the Bud Phone Mobile app we offer? Although it's not quite what you're after, it does have very similar features (ie. the ability to add an access number into your my5 to call through).

www.budphone.ca

[pcdunlop]

Thanks Steve. I have already checked the Bud Phone app but I in my cause I've got an 'ordinary' cell phone and not a smartphone, that's why I asked about this new feature. I believe this would benefit a lot of people!

[FONGO_steve]

Thanks Steve. I have already checked the Bud Phone app but I in my cause I've got an 'ordinary' cell phone and not a smartphone, that's why I asked about this new feature. I believe this would benefit a lot of people!

I'll definitely bring this to the table as something we should look into for the future!

[tigerking]

pcdunlop,

Friend of mine have the following experience when register with budphone mobile call at http://www.budphone.ca

1. He is having an older version of Blackberry (I forgot the model but it is due CDMA/GSM phone) that is not on the list of the budphone smartphone. However, he tried to register it as a 8830 Curve.
2. He successfully registered the cell phone number
3. He got the download link in SMS and tried to click on the link to download the application.
4. Error prompt him that his smartphone missing a Java lib.
5. He the give up the download.
6. After a while, about 5 minutes, he tried to call the local access numbers (to name a few: 604-283-1001 (vancouver), 403-879-1796 (Calgary), 416-477-5898 (Toronto), 514-447-1044 (Montreal), etc.). He got a dial tone and can make free calls within FPL calling areas.
7. Conclusion, as soon as you can successfully register your cell phone number, no matter you got the mobile application installed or not, you can use your cell phone to make the free mobile phone call. However, you have to do it manually and search the budphone directory to get the local access numbers.
You can just use your normal cell phone (not a smart phone) to register I believe and just ignore installing the application. After registration, you can use your registered cell phone to call the local access numbers to make free LD calls.

I know that is not ideal but it is a good work around until you make your decision to move onto the smartphone. Then you can just log in your account and from the "Smartphone Application Setting" tab, click on the link "resend SMS download link" to your smartphone. After installing the application, you can use the application to make free calls and don't need to remember the local access numbers.

Reply to Grmoro's question to my PIM of where to find the local access list:

It cannot be found on the FPL site, it is checked out from the application by placing a call and then check it out from my cell phone for the local access number the application call. Sorry it is so time consuming and costly for me to make every call to check out the access list. I would suggest you to PIM FPL for a complete list if they can release it in plain text.

[pcdunlop]

Great, thanks much tigerking for taking your time to explain in detail this workaround, I will definitely give it a try. I am sure this information will be very useful for others too.

[sukasem]

Hi Steve FPL,

I and my friends would like to have this cellphone add-on service too. I'm able to make this service works but it need to use it on Asterisk/FreePBX. I'm wondering if I can host FPL accounts (let say 4-5 accounts) on my Asterisk, would it be against FPL term of service?

Thank you,
Sukasem

[Jake]

I'm wondering if I can host FPL accounts (let say 4-5 accounts) on my Asterisk, would it be against FPL term of service?

I can't see why it would be. I suspect lots of people have their FPL accounts registered at sipsorcery/pbxes/etc. You would just be a similar 'service' like this.

[Ice]

Officially, no PBX (Asterisk, etc) but as long as you're using Freephoneline in the right context/spirit for personal/home use, then they're generally flexible as long as you're not abusing the system, causing trouble, etc.

[callopsitte_himself]

I have stopped using a cell phone 3 years ago and hope to never use one ever again. But I know most people aren't me and will never make the decision I made.

So for all those who have a cell phone I agree. A cell phone add-on would be a very interesting feature.

For FPL it would also mean an extra revenu. First because of those who would take it and second for the new customers you would reach (those who are not in a distance to have FPL and that non of your local numbers are local for them).

If it's been suggested it's because it already exist elsewhere. IF FPL don't want to fall behind I think this should even be implemented before the "get a second number" feature.

[sukasem]

Officially, no PBX (Asterisk, etc) but as long as you're using Freephoneline in the right context/spirit for personal/home use, then they're generally flexible as long as you're not abusing the system, causing trouble, etc.

That is what I'm worried about. If suddenly FPL dropped Asterisk support, I'm stuck with 5 paid configuration files. I might have to diversify my risk. I really don't like FreeCanadianCalls or Vbuzzer.

Actually, FPL should do this as optional service $2 like FCC. I have a lot of ppl asking me to do it for them but I said I have reach my limits. If FPL do it, I would suggest Email Missed Call CallerID instead of Audio CallerID or do both because by the time you finish listening audio CID, caller probably hangup already.