ego1138 wrote:
If I don't buy an ATA or the IP Phone unlock codes, do I have to pay anything to keep my ported number alive, or in my possession?
No. Please visit these links and read:
1.
https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/en- ... t-deleted- (FPL)
2.
https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/arti ... ion-Policy (Fongo Mobile)
If you pay $25+tax to port into FPL or Fongo Mobile from another (non-Fibernetics) carrier, you will not lose your number due to inactivity.
The parent company and CLEC for FPL and Fongo Mobile is Fibernetics.
I had thought about going to the Fongo Mbile instead, but, not really interested in making or receiving calls on the ported number.
The point is the option exists.
I would view your decision based on value and options--and not limiting them.
If you will never buy the $99+tax VoIP unlock key, then you can never use FPL on anything other than the Freephoneline desktop app, which has been, as far as I can tell, out of development since 2013 (for Windows).
If you use Fongo Mobile, you don't have to buy the VoIP unlock key to use the ported number on your cellphone (if you'd like to). Also, Fongo Mobile supports SMS texting (incoming texts are free; outgoing are not).
If you are interested in SMS, visit
https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/arti ... ifications for caveats.
FPL does not support texting.
Both FPL and Fongo Mobile, unofficially support, incoming faxes. When the incoming fax call reaches the voicemail system, the fax is automatically converted to PDF file format, which can be emailed automatically to you. Fongo Mobile has the bonus of being able to view the fax directly in the app itself.
You can't send faxes without a VoIP unlock key and ATA that, preferably, supports T.38 fax protocol.
Freephoneline does not offer free technical support. Fongo Mobile does. Fongo Mobile support ticket requests will not be closed by default, automatically.
Support is offered via online tickets only:
https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/requests/new.
Support staff is not obliged to read or respond on the forums.
Due to the pandemic, ticket responses are delayed (sometimes up to a week):
https://status.fongo.com/. If you do decide to port, that's a good site to bookmark to check if there are known issues with your service.
Fongo Mobile allows you to block unwanted callers:
https://support.fongo.com/hc/en-us/arti ... Fongo-3-7-.
Freephoneline does not (relies on the ATA, IP Phone, Phone itself, or app to block instead, and the blocked call drops to voicemail).
I'm really only interested in using this as a way to catch people who still might legitimately use that "old" home phone number but we had forgotten to inform to use our cells instead.
If you know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that you will never buy a VoIP unlock key, then Fongo Mobile makes a lot more sense to me,
provided you have a smartphone that Fongo Mobile works on.By the way, you can forward incoming calls to your cellular numbers, if you wish (instead of just dropping incoming calls to Fongo Mobile or FPL's voicemail system):
https://www.fongo.com/blog/how-to-set-u ... ng-mobile/.
FPL's call forwarding is called "Follow Me":
https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/en- ... Follow-Me-.