Use Follow Me for Free unlimited incoming cell phone calls?

[Leo]

As you know you can use a favorite number with cell phone providers to make and receive unlimited calls.

So I decided to try if I could get unlimited incoming calls by using the FPL forward feature. So I registered my FPL softphone number with my cell phone company (TELUS) as a favorite. I then instructed my FPL number to forward all receiving calls to my cell phone hoping that my cell phone company would still consider it as a favorite number and provide me unlimited incoming local calls on my cell.

When I did call my FPL number it forwarded my call to my cell phone number. When I received the call on my cell phone, the cell phone did not display the FPL number but the original phone number and thus the call was charged to me and not free.

My question is this, is there a way to show the FreePhoneLine number instead or the original caller's number when you forward a call?

Thank you,

Leo

[Jake]

I managed to do it from my setup, but I understand it is a long way round and probably not what you are looking for (ie just using a free number from FPL).

I have paid for the config file, and I also have a PBX set up at home. So I changed the setting so when someone calls my home, then it forwards the call to my cell. This call had my house phone number as the caller ID so it would have worked as you wanted it.

I don't use my cell enough to set this up, but if I looked at my calls it might be worth me buying a new config file from FPL, and then using that as my cell number forwarding all calls to me cell, that was my home line would not be effected. A better way might be to forward all unanswered calls, that way I would have a chance to get it at home, then ring the cell if I didn't pick up.

This is using a free PBX so it didn't cost me anything to set up. I do have to leave my computer on, but I usually have it on anyway.

[neige]

Hi! sorry I'am new to this service... what's a PBX?

[FONGO_kris]

PBX, short for Private Branch Exchange.

It's basically a private telephone network within an office/building which calls internally and externally are run over VoIP, then down to the PSTN level for reaching other phone networks on copper lines (Bell, Rogers...)

Most medium-sized and larger companies use a PBX because it's much less expensive than connecting 85 copper lines to every telephone in that organization.
It also has a nice GUI and 10 - 30 features just on the phones themselves.

[Bloodsong]

I've been running this system before straight from the website, I am also with Telus,
all forwarded calls appeared to be comming from my FPL number and were in fact free. Interesting to see what might be different?

Also if you have a smart phone, you can make this work for you the other way, log on, change the forward number to whom you wish to be calling, call your FPL, then change it back.

[bbgobie]

If you do enable this feature in the future, please let users have the option of if they want forwarded calls to display the FPL number or the actual number.
I prefer to know whos calling me. Which is exactly what happens now for me.

[kevingamble]

whats the simplest pbx i could use to set this up (forward and change caller id) or could it be done using a free service like pbxes.org?

[Jake]

whats the simplest pbx i could use to set this up (forward and change caller id) or could it be done using a free service like pbxes.org?

You should be able to do it with a normal PAP2T.

There is options in there to forward to another number under certain circumstances like not answered, busy, etc. I think it is under the user1 tab.

If you put your mobile number in there then when your house line is not answered it will dial your cell and it should have your FPL number as the caller. You might have to play around with things to get it how you want it, but it should be possible. I think you can also make it forward ALL calls so you could use that as your incoming mobile number and have free calls to it.

Obviously for this you will need to have bought the config file, and an ATA of some sort with forwarding features.

I have not set it up like this as we don't use a mobile that much, but if you do get it working let others know how you did it as it might be of interest to them.