[resolved] Can i register without a contact number?

[wolfglance]

hi All,
I have a question regarding the registration.
In the account registration we are asked to enter a : Valid contact number > " The contact number must be a valid Canadian phone number "

How can I register if I don't have a phone number ?...

Isn't suppose to work on a PC, Ipod touch, Ipad, etc.... eventhough these devices don't need a phone number to work ??? !

Thank you in advance,

[bylo]

In the past (Freephoneline) they used the Canadian phone number to complete the registration and to confirm your 911 information, i.e. physical address. They don't seem to do that with DV/Fongo. However that doesn't mean they won't in the future. Surely you have a friend, neighbour, employer, etc. nearby whose phone number you could use to complete the registration (with their permission of course.) The number doesn't even have to be a POTS line so you could give them a cellphone, fax, etc. number instead.

[Jake]

Doesn't it have something to do with the E911 regulations, where they need another number to be able to contact you on?

Having said that, because no validation comes through on the phone I don't know what is stopping you putting anything in there. I expect they will shut down your account IF they find out the information is intentionally false though.

[bylo]

Doesn't it have something to do with the E911 regulations, where they need another number to be able to contact you on?

That's what I alluded to. In fact a couple of years ago someone from FPL called me on my contact number to confirm my physical address for 911 purposes. Maybe I'll get a similar call from DV/Fongo.

Having said that, because no validation comes through on the phone I don't know what is stopping you putting anything in there. I expect they will shut down your account IF they find out the information is intentionally false though.

That's why I suggested a friend or neighbour who can take a message, etc.

I can't see Fongo shutting your number down if that's your only phone number. That would be counter-productive because someone like that is an ideal candidate for Fongo's not-so-free products like VoIP unlock keys, long distance, etc.

[FONGO_mike]

hi All,
I have a question regarding the registration.
In the account registration we are asked to enter a : Valid contact number > " The contact number must be a valid Canadian phone number "

How can I register if I don't have a phone number ?...

Isn't suppose to work on a PC, Ipod touch, Ipad, etc.... eventhough these devices don't need a phone number to work ??? !

Thank you in advance,

The biggest reason is because these day's with so many people signing up, if your internet service ever went down, we would not be able to contact you on the number you receive when you sign up. As such, we need another way to contact you (or for emergency services to contact you) in the event of an emergency.

[bylo]

if your internet service ever went down, we would not be able to contact you on the number you receive when you sign up. As such, we need another way to contact you (or for emergency services to contact you) in the event of an emergency.

So what you're saying in effect is that VoIP still isn't viable as a POTS replacement because Internet access and 911 aren't yet reliable enough?

[Jake]

The biggest reason is because these day's with so many people signing up, if your internet service ever went down, we would not be able to contact you on the number you receive when you sign up.

That's a bit of a moot point with DellVoice, especially as it is being pushed on mobile devices which will work over 3G. Also I would imagine that if most people had an emergency and were going to call from their phone, they would use their regular provider, not open the DellVoice app to make the call.

I'm not trying to make a dig, just trying to see if the same rules that are reasonably applied to the mainly residential accounts (Fongo) can transfer to accounts that are mainly going to be used on mobile devices (DellVoice).

It does bring up a though about if everything is OK with E911. If we did dial 911 through DV on the phone, won't the operator get the address we entered? Won't that cause confusion or is E911 ok with this being used on mobile devices? I believe if I call 911 via Telus, my location is somehow relayed to them.

[FONGO_mike]

If they are using there cell phones to sign up, they they can enter their cell phone numbers as a contact number.