Possible to use Fongo Home Phone on Fongo App?

[davecool]

Just wondering if it's possible to log into the Fongo App (iOS) using my Fongo Home Phone account? That would let me dial out from my home number no matter where I am (without bringing the ATA along with me and finding an ethernet port).

If not possible, is there a reason for the restriction?

Thanks,
David

[Jake]

It has been said by moderators that once you set up Fongo's Home Phone service that it disables the ability to use Dell Voice. They have said it is because the account is changed and this is why it no longer works.

My guess is because the home phone is part of Fongo, and the app is part of Dell Voice. They have said many times that the different brands are not interchangeable even though they are owned by the same parent company. It should be looked on as though they are their own separate entities, just powered by the same engine.

[seagame2001]

Yes you can but you can't use Fongo App iOS but you can use third party application

It works great for me

[davecool]

Which third party ios app are you using?

[seagame2001]

softphone, 3cx and bria

I would recommend to use softphone

[colesy]

Where do we find the settings required to setup a 3rd party softphone?

[FONGO_mike]

Where do we find the settings required to setup a 3rd party softphone?

to set up a third party device, you would need to purchase the VoIP unlock key. this key is no longer offered by Fongo or Dell Voice.

to set up a home phone using your own device, you would need to sign up for an account with freephoneline.ca

[colesy]

So can you have FPL and Fongo Home Phone with the same number?

[FONGO_mike]

So can you have FPL and Fongo Home Phone with the same number?

No. although they are both using Fongo as a backbone, they are their own brandings and run as their own services.

[colesy]

I see, so you have to choose one or the other.

I guess what I should have done was ported my number to FPL instead and bought my own ATA for at home and paid for the unlock key. If I understand it correctly there would be no monthly fee doing it that way, just the up front cost of porting, the unlock key and the ATA. Plus you get the best of both worlds, home phone plus the ability to use "softphone".

[FONGO_mike]

You would have access to both the softphone on your computer and the ability to use the ATA device.

[colesy]

Do I own the ATA that I received from Fongo? I know I paid like $59 for it upfront, so that's mine now right? If I wanted to switch to FPL I would port my number from Fongo to FPL for $25, then pay $50 for the unlock key? Then all I would do is configure the ATA I received from Fongo and I could eliminate the $4.95 a month fee? I think I will stick with Fongo for now because it's still a sweet deal, but I wanted to clarify.

P.S Does everyone have to get their posts approved, or will that change once I hit a certain post count or something?

[Jake]

I think the post count is 5 and below for moderation.

The only things you will loose by switching from DV to FPL is the ability to use the mobile app, but because you switched to Home Phone then you lost that anyway, and phone support. People who buy the config file do not get help via the phone, Home Phone users do.

It does get a little confusing with all the different brands and their nuances and I wish that one service did the best bits from all of them. The good thing is, generally which ever route you go is it usually cheaper than Bell!

[colesy]

Ahh ok.. So the $4.95 covers the e911 stuff, plus free phone support. It's still a really good deal. I think I will stick with Home Phone for now and make sure everything works well over the long term. Then maybe look into porting to FPL.

[Jake]

Well, e911 is also included with FPL, as is everything else really. The only thing they stopped was phone support (which they used to give to FPL customers), so it could be argued that the 4.95 is for support. I can see why they moved to this model, after all it is easy business sense to charge a little for something that you were giving away to cover some costs. Slightly better for them, and maybe slightly worse for us. Personally because I have now invested quite a few hours (read months!) into VOIP I will be buying FPL config files for as long as I need them and they still offer them. I just got used to not paying a monthly fee for the phone line which I can't thank FPL for enough

[colesy]

How often do you have to buy the files? Isn't it a one time deal? Or do you need a new file for each device you want to connect?

[FONGO_mike]

How often do you have to buy the files? Isn't it a one time deal? Or do you need a new file for each device you want to connect?

Purchasing the VoIP unlock ket is a one time purchase (per account)

The information can be used to set up a new device if you decide to change ATA's

[Jake]

How often do you have to buy the files? Isn't it a one time deal? Or do you need a new file for each device you want to connect?

Sorry, they used to call the 'Unlock Key' the 'Config File'. I just got used to calling them that.

As Mike said, you only have to buy it once, but I have bought a few over the years for myself, friends and family.

[FONGO_mike]

Jake, it took me a good while to get used to calling the VoIP unloc key also, but after saying it X number of times a day, i got used to it, even though i slip up every once and awhile lol

[seagame2001]

Do I own the ATA that I received from Fongo? I know I paid like $59 for it upfront, so that's mine now right? If I wanted to switch to FPL I would port my number from Fongo to FPL for $25, then pay $50 for the unlock key? Then all I would do is configure the ATA I received from Fongo and I could eliminate the $4.95 a month fee? I think I will stick with Fongo for now because it's still a sweet deal, but I wanted to clarify.

P.S Does everyone have to get their posts approved, or will that change once I hit a certain post count or something?

If you are a computer guy then get your own ata device and play around with set up but you are not a computer person then buy Fongo adapter + $4.95/month fee

[FONGO_mike]

Do I own the ATA that I received from Fongo? I know I paid like $59 for it upfront, so that's mine now right? If I wanted to switch to FPL I would port my number from Fongo to FPL for $25, then pay $50 for the unlock key? Then all I would do is configure the ATA I received from Fongo and I could eliminate the $4.95 a month fee? I think I will stick with Fongo for now because it's still a sweet deal, but I wanted to clarify.

P.S Does everyone have to get their posts approved, or will that change once I hit a certain post count or something?

If you are a computer guy then get your own ata device and play around with set up but you are not a computer person then buy Fongo adapter + $4.95/month fee

Also, If you get the Fongo home phone package, you will qualify for free technical support.