Dell Voice and getting a SIP unlock key?

[phonelover01]

Hi all,

I use Dell Voice on my iPhone and love it; but due to accessibility considerations, Fongo's desktop apps are not optimal in comparison to other SIP apps for the PC as I use a screen reader: an accessibility feature for users of computers with vision loss.

I'd like to know whether there might be a way to make an exception to the new policy and provide a SIP unlock key to me, or if I'm just wasting my time inquiring?

I've actually gone back to Freephoneline and spent the $50 out of my own pocket to get a SIP key. That means I can happily use it in any accessible way that I choose, but there's no texting of course and there's no Dell Voice for iPhone.

It's $50 in Fongo's pocket and it would benefit me: really, what's the problem?

[TheHardy]

The branding agreement that Fongo has with Dell ... that is why they had to pull the unlock key, as Dell modified their sponsorship/branding, as having an unlock key means that you can use whatever device you want, and therefore they cannot PUSH their ads to you and get the return for their money that they are after. It is a little more elegant and complex than that, but in a nutshell, that is the answer ... Sad, but true.

Maybe Fongo can figure something out for you ... were you an EARLY adopter of DellVoice before they did away with the unlock key option? Maybe you can argue "grandfathering" if you are and the unlock key was available at the time you originally signed up for the service (although there is the caveat of "Terms and conditions of this agreement may be changed ...etc etc etc --- the legal disclaimer stuff --- damn lawyers!)

[phonelover01]

I had an account with Dell Voice since days after it opened, but I actually closed it so I could use Freephoneline. I thought maybe I could port from Freephoneline.ca to Dell Voice and keep my SIP key, but I guess it doesn't work like that.

Seems weird that early adopters can get a SIP key but I can't; but I figured it had something to do with advertisements. I guarantee they'll never make $50 off me in ad revenue, but they would make $50 off me for a SIP key.

I'm sure they'd have a record of my old account though, maybe they could reactivate...

Could a support person comment on this? Is it worth fighting this battle or is nothing gonna happen?

[FONGO_mike]

I had an account with Dell Voice since days after it opened, but I actually closed it so I could use Freephoneline. I thought maybe I could port from Freephoneline.ca to Dell Voice and keep my SIP key, but I guess it doesn't work like that.

Seems weird that early adopters can get a SIP key but I can't; but I figured it had something to do with advertisements. I guarantee they'll never make $50 off me in ad revenue, but they would make $50 off me for a SIP key.

I'm sure they'd have a record of my old account though, maybe they could reactivate...

Could a support person comment on this? Is it worth fighting this battle or is nothing gonna happen?

We wouldn ot be able to re-activate an acocunt.

As the policy's changed while we grow, certain changes and service changes have been implemented. As such, users who have previously purchased VoIP unlock keys were grandfathered in.

The possibility of these sorts of changes are why i personally always suggest to users to never cancel an account as you never know what will change the next day.

[phonelover01]

Ok. So is it worth escalating this: could anything happen? Or is it simply not possible?

If not, would it perhaps be possible to take over someone else's account (a person grandfathered with the SIP option) and take ownership of that account? Or would such a thing be contrary to the TOS?

[Jake]

No one on DV who didn't buy the unlock key before has the option to buy it now, regardless of how old the account is. I think what Mike was saying is that those with the unlock keys before the changes were made are allowed to keep them.

What is it you are trying to achieve?

[phonelover01]

Hi Jake, thanks for the reply.

The thread pretty much says what I'm trying to achieve. I'm not sure what else to add, unless you have specific questions.

If someone has suggestions I'm all ears, otherwise I'll leave this one for now.

[seagame2001]

I understand you want to ask buy Freephoneline voip unlock key for home phone and get DV for free

Then you can forward call from Freephoneline to DV for on the go

[Jake]

OK, I think I understand what you want. You wouldn't be able to log in with both the phone app and the desktop phone at the same time, and get it to work properly, anyway. They would keep stealing registration from one another and you wouldn't know which one was going to call.

What I would suggest you do, although obviously not idea, is to do like SeaGame says.

Use your FPL unlock key you have now on a desktop softphone that works for you, then forward all calls from that number to your DV number (by the sounds of it you will have to set up a new account now). This way any calls to your FPL number will ring on your DV phone number. The only disadvantage would be when you make a call via the FPL number, that one will show rather than your DV number.

Instead of just forwarding, you could make both your FPL softphone and the DV number ring at the same time using the options in your admin panel online. No desktop app can send texts, so that will always have to be done via the DV app.

Your not going to get exactly what you want (or at least what I think you want) with the current offerings from Fongo.

[phonelover01]

Jake and all,

Ironically, I can actually login to Freephoneline using more than one SIP application at once! So I feel like I probably could with Dell Voice as well although I could be wrong! Regardless, you're right--I guess call forwarding would be the best bet although it's certainly not ideal, especially given that outgoing calls will display the wrong caller ID.

If there are (A) any users willing to sell grandfathered Dell Voice accounts with SIP keys, or (B) any support reps who are feeling particularly generous and want to help me escalate this, please do be in touch.

Sucks to have juuust missed the deadline for a SIP key which would be really really useful.

If not then I'll let this one go.

[seagame2001]

I don't think they will sell their account cause they will lose their numbers forever, but if they sell it I will bet they won't sell cheap for it

Hey phonelover01 you have a special computer to use cause you are blind. I am not try to insult you. I guess it must be hard to use it too. I saw blind people use computer on TV before. It was amazing.

FPL forward calls to DV

They stopped selling SIP for DV for awhile back already.

[phonelover01]

^Yeah for sure, they'd lose their number. I didn't expect to pay a dime a dozen for these accounts.

Nope, no special computer; there is special software that can make a computer or mobile phone speak the contents of the screen. That's an over simplification but that's it in a nutshell. One can pick up quite a good clip of speed using these interfaces.

[phonelover01]

^And incidentally, support, you're still welcome to jump in and send me a PM if you feel you can escalate this for me, possibly for a premium price to cover the lost ad revenue (even though frankly I can't see myself giving you $50+ in ad revenue).

[Jake]

Ironically, I can actually login to Freephoneline using more than one SIP application at once!

Yes this is correct, you will be able to log in, and probably, make out going calls with any number of devices. But what happens when you get an incoming call? I would be very surprised if they all rang, or that the device you wanted to ring actually rang. Admittedly I have never tried it as I use a PBX here and can register all my devices to it, but I believe this is how it is.

[phonelover01]

Fair point; I honestly haven't tried, but it wouldn't be an issue for me to close one app down and launch another.

A couple more questions, since it doesn't seem that I'll be able to do what I want:
1) Is there any way to add texting to Freephoneline (I'm guessing not)?
2) Are there any similar services I should be looking at?

[Jake]

I don't think they have plans for adding the text option, or even a mobile app come to that, to FPL.

One other thing that just came to mind, I think I remember one of the Fongo staff saying that if you did buy the config file on DV that you could no longer use the app anyway.

As for other services - I have tried things like TextME, but I just never got on with them. Far too many ads for my liking.

Dell Voice has got a lot of things right, but they have a few annoying things wrong also IMO anyway. I have never had any dealings with it as I can't get cable here, but I saw an ad for Rogers One Numbers (is that what it is called?) and I thought DV should be a lot more like that. The ability to interchangeably use mobile, tablet, desktop, or home phone; seemed just what DV needs.

[seagame2001]

all those things you guys want need time to do it

Remember that Rogers is a big corp telecom compare to FPL or DV

As far they added text on DV that was really good step for us and them too

Be patience

[phonelover01]

So just to confirm (can anyone else comment?) once a DV user bought their SIP key they pretty much have a FPL account anyway: no texting, no visual voicemail, and no DV app?

If that's the case then I guess I don't feel too badly about missing out on mine.

[Jake]

So just to confirm (can anyone else comment?) once a DV user bought their SIP key they pretty much have a FPL account anyway: no texting, no visual voicemail, and no DV app?

If that's the case then I guess I don't feel too badly about missing out on mine.

I found the other thread where a person was having troubles logging in with the app http://forum.fongo.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 750#p35750
The last few posts are probably the important ones in this case.

[phonelover01]

^Thanks for the link, Jake. WOW, sounds like I'm not missing much by losing out on that SIP key.

Even the support person couldn't offer a straight answer on how/if you can get texting to work. That's interesting.

I guess I feel better about having my Freephoneline and Dell Voice accounts in tandem, then. (Incidentally, you are allowed to have one of each, right)?

[Jake]

You have to remember, this is not an official support channel, so some things tend to be a bit non committal.

Many people have more than one of each, and it is perfectly fine and even encouraged at times.