Freephoneline Desktop Application will be discontinued on June 3, 2025

[Liptonbrisk]

Just to add my experience with this. Your number could be suspended (NOT deleted).

I wouldn't bank on the number being merely suspended indefinitely. I suggest suspension is a preliminary step.

When the account is eventually terminated, the original Fibernetics number will be dumped back into the pool and made available to new sign-ups.


Edit: After June 12, 2024 the following no longer applies, apparently.

https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... unt-policy

"VoIP Key Accounts which are considered to be dormant for more than 4 years may be terminated.

You can recover phone numbers deleted due to dormancy by contacting our support team here: https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/new.

Please note that this request must be made within 10 days of account deletion or the number may no longer be available.”

When I did it said the account was blocked.

You got back to them quickly enough.

Imagine suspending a VoIP unlock key account on a helpful, longtime volunteer forum moderator. I'm referring to Jake, of course.

Maybe just forwarding calls is not enough to stop this from happening?

It's not.

Using "Follow Me" won't work.
https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... unt-policy
"Using FreePhoneLine primarily as a call forwarding service will not keep your account from being flagged as dormant."
That's referring to using Follow Me.

Using an Obihai ATA or Obihai IP Phone to forward calls will work for the specific FPL number that's placing an outbound call (forwarding the call). Different process. That's effectively the same thing as making an outbound call manually without Follow Me, except the original inbound caller ID won't be retained on the forwarded call.

[Erft]

It's only greyed out if Follow Me is disabled. Enable Follow Me first. Then you can change the numbers.

That's just it...it's still greyed out even though I enabled Follow Me.
Oh, I see what you mean. "Options" is still greyed out, but when I enable Follow Me, "Follow Me Numbers" appears.
Thanks.

[Liptonbrisk]

Thanks.

You're welcome! Have a great weekend!

[Erft]

You're welcome! Have a great weekend!

You too, Liptonbrisk. Happy Canada Day long weekend

[maxkuku]

Hello Everyone!

Anyone has Freephoneline Desktop Application software file to download. Please let me have it! Thank you in advance!

[Liptonbrisk]

Hello Everyone!

Anyone has Freephoneline Desktop Application software file to download. Please let me have it! Thank you in advance!

Since Fongo has removed the download link, I'm uncertain that Fongo moderators are allowed to provide the file.
Alternatively, since you have a VoIP unlock key, MicroSIP is free: viewtopic.php?t=20772.


Otherwise, it would probably be best to submit a ticket with your request: https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/new. Choose "My Account Inquiry".

Visit https://status.fongo.com/.
If "Support System" indicates "Degraded Performance", ticket response time can take up to a week (or longer).

You can check your ticket status by logging in at
https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests. That's an account for tickets
(zendesk) only and is completely separate from your Freephoneline account or
any other Fongo account you may have. If you don't have a zendesk account yet, click "Sign Up" after visiting the link.
Use the same email address that you use to submit tickets. Do not use the same password as your Freephoneline
account. Again, these two accounts are unrelated.

Support staff does not respond to tickets on weekends or Canadian holidays.
Support hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. EST. They are not obligated to respond
on the these user-to-user forums.


Fongo does have https://twitter.com/Fongo_Support. I'm not sure if anyone
there responds to direct messages.
Similarly, they appear to be on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FongoMobile/. I don't know whether they'll respond to you there.

[Erft]

The question about the desktop application has made me wonder...if I get a new PC, do I have to have the desktop app on it to continue to use Freephoneline, or are the settings in my ATA enough?
Also, what if my ATA fails? I screenshotted the settings and printed them out, years ago. Would I just copy those to the new ATA?

I deleted the desktop app from my PC a few years ago because I've only used Freephoneline with landline phones. When my PC had issues a couple of years ago, and had bits and the OS replaced, when I got it back I was unable to download the desktop app. I forget why; either it wouldn't download, or it wouldn't open/unpack. It's a Windows 10 PC and eventually I'll have to replace it, so this all would be good to know.

[Erft]

When the account is eventually terminated, the original Fibernetics number will be dumped back into the pool and made available to new sign-ups.

Just for clarification, Fongo will still have SIP settings for sale for new users, just not the desktop application? Freephoneline will still exist for current and new users?

Edit: I know it is supposed to continue on as usual, sans support, for existing customers. I didn't realise that Freephone was still going to continue to sell numbers/SIP settings.

[Liptonbrisk]

Just for clarification, Fongo will still have SIP settings for sale for new users, just not the desktop application?

"IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Freephoneline Desktop App Service will be discontinued on June 3, 2025.
You will not be able to log into the app after this date.
VoIP Unlock Keys will still be available and will still continue to function."

I infer that "available" means "for sale".

[Liptonbrisk]

if I get a new PC, do I have to have the desktop app on it to continue to use Freephoneline

A desktop application is only required if you want to make calls using your PC (headset/microphone).

There is no requirement to specifically use Freephoneline's desktop application, unless you don't have a VoIP unlock key, before June 3, 2025.

Instead, VoIP unlock key users can use MicroSIP, for example, for free: viewtopic.php?t=20772.

are the settings in my ATA enough?

I don't understand this question. ATA settings are dependent upon the specific ATA model being used.

Also, what if my ATA fails?

You buy a new ATA (or IP phone, SIP application for a smartphone, or whatever SIP client you want) and provision it properly using an appropriate configuration guide from viewforum.php?f=15.

Would I just copy those to the new ATA?

No. Different ATAs have different settings. Sometimes the name for a setting differs. Some settings or features in some ATAs don't even exist in others. What's important is your SIP Username and SIP Password, which can be found after logging in at https://www.freephoneline.ca/showSipSettings. By the way, click viewtopic.php?t=20549. Don't be confused by "YOUR SIP SETTINGS"; they do not reflect what's currently entered in anyone's ATA. Configuration guidelines are located at https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/en- ... redentials.

The configuration guides you should be using are located at viewforum.php?f=15.
For new Poly 4xx series ATAs, the OBi200/202 PDF guide found at the bottom of the first post from viewtopic.php?t=18805 should work. The Poly 400/402 ATAs are, basically, the latest Obihai ATAs.

[Erft]

are the settings in my ATA enough?

I don't understand this question. ATA settings are dependent upon the specific ATA model being used.

What I meant is: are the SIP/configuration settings saved in my ATA enough? But I guess they are. I have read definitions of what SIP settings are, but I don't really understand the difference between them and the information I typed into my ATA/option chosen when I set it up for Freephoneline.

I have a brand new, never used ATA of the exact same make and model, sitting in my desk in case the one I've used for the past 12 years fails. I was asking if I would just use the exact same configuration with that ATA as on the one that's currently in use. So connect the new (same make, same model) ATA, and enter all the configuration settings from the screenshot of the old one's configuration (same make, same model; both Cisco SPA122)?

It sounds like the answer would be Yes, but I'd just like to be sure.


Thanks for your help, Liptonbrisk.

[Liptonbrisk]

I have a brand new, never used ATA of the exact same make and model, sitting in my desk in case the one I've used for the past 12 years fails. I was asking if I would just use the exact same configuration with that ATA as on the one that's currently in use.

Yes, provided the same firmware version is installed on both ATAs

[maxkuku]

Thank you for quick reply. I wish someone send it to my email )

Hello Everyone!

Anyone has Freephoneline Desktop Application software file to download. Please let me have it! Thank you in advance!

Since Fongo has removed the download link, I'm uncertain that Fongo moderators are allowed to provide the file.
Alternatively, since you have a VoIP unlock key, MicroSIP is free: viewtopic.php?t=20772.


Otherwise, it would probably be best to submit a ticket with your request: https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/new. Choose "My Account Inquiry".

Visit https://status.fongo.com/.
If "Support System" indicates "Degraded Performance", ticket response time can take up to a week (or longer).

You can check your ticket status by logging in at
https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests. That's an account for tickets
(zendesk) only and is completely separate from your Freephoneline account or
any other Fongo account you may have. If you don't have a zendesk account yet, click "Sign Up" after visiting the link.
Use the same email address that you use to submit tickets. Do not use the same password as your Freephoneline
account. Again, these two accounts are unrelated.

Support staff does not respond to tickets on weekends or Canadian holidays.
Support hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. EST. They are not obligated to respond
on the these user-to-user forums.


Fongo does have https://twitter.com/Fongo_Support. I'm not sure if anyone
there responds to direct messages.
Similarly, they appear to be on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FongoMobile/. I don't know whether they'll respond to you there.

[Liptonbrisk]

https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... unt-policy

"VoIP Key Accounts which are considered to be dormant for more than 4 years may be terminated."

A new revision of the dormancy policy is out that has eliminated any reference for VoIP unlock key accounts requiring outbound calls to be made every 4 years, which is a good thing, given the original terms of purchasing a VoIP unlock key, for most of us, included not having to worry about our accounts being deleted due to dormancy or inactivity.

https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... unt-policy

[Liptonbrisk]

On the other hand, I now see no exemption for accounts with ported numbers that don't have a VoIP unlock key.

[Liptonbrisk]

Wow, the dormancy policy was updated yet again. Now I'm going to have to rewrite a bunch of responses in this thread.


It seems to me that people with no VoIP unlock key had better buy one or port out.

If you don't have a VoIP unlock key after June 3, 2025, you can't make outbound calls. If people can't make outbound calls, I doubt they're going to buy World Credits.


https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... unt-policy

"If you have no remaining World Calling Credits (and no VoIP unlock key):

When your account reaches 120 days of inactivity, your account is subject to automatic deletion, unless your:
FreePhoneLine number was originally transferred (ported) in from another carrier. This extends the automatic deletion date from 120 days of inactivity to 5 years (1827 days). These numbers are then returned to the original carrier."

[Jake]

Thank you for the updates on this.

[Liptonbrisk]

Thank you for the updates on this.

You're welcome.

Trying to keep up with all these changes hasn't been easy for me.

[Liptonbrisk]

A new revision of the dormancy policy is out that has eliminated any reference for VoIP unlock key accounts requiring outbound calls to be made every 4 years, which is a good thing, given the original terms of purchasing a VoIP unlock key, for most of us, included not having to worry about our accounts being deleted due to dormancy or inactivity.

https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... unt-policy

Yeah, well, this makes sense now after introducing a monthly 911 fee. They wouldn't want to turn away monthly revenue.

[Poster]

Hello. I have been using the Freephone Desktop app for years now, without Voip Keys. I just use my PC with a headset. This has been the number I have been using for a number of my contacts, for personal reasons, and I want to keep it this way for now. I know about June 2025 and thought I had plenty of time to deal with that. But I recently had a computer crash and got a new machine with Windows 11 last month. I have been trying to figure out how to install the desktop app to continue using it, but it seems that all download links have been deleted, even for the users that have been registered for a long time. At least, I do not see anything when I log into my account. I have checked the setting tab, there is nothing there. So what should I do now? Any way to restore the desktop Freephoneline app for Windows to use until June 2025?

[Liptonbrisk]

So what should I do now? Any way to restore the desktop Freephoneline app for Windows to use until June 2025?

I am aware that Fongo removed access to the downloadable file.

If you require further help, you will need to submit a ticket and ask them for the file as I don't believe anyone here, including myself, has been given explicit permission to distribute it: https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests/new.
Choose "My Account Inquiry" for the final issue type.

Visit https://status.fongo.com/.
If "Support System" indicates "Degraded Performance", ticket response time can take up to a week (or longer).


You can check your ticket status by logging in at
https://support.fongo.com/hc/requests. That's an account for tickets
(zendesk) only and is completely separate from your Freephoneline account or
any other Fongo account you may have. If you don't have a zendesk account yet, click "Sign Up" after visiting the link.
Use the same email address that you use to submit tickets. Do not use the same password as your Freephoneline
account. Again, these two accounts are unrelated.

Support staff does not respond to tickets on weekends or Canadian holidays.
Support hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. EST. They are not obligated to respond
on the these user-to-user forums.


Fongo does have https://twitter.com/Fongo_Support. I'm not sure if anyone
there responds to direct messages.
Similarly, they appear to be on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FongoMobile/. I don't know whether they'll respond to you there.

[Liptonbrisk]

Follow Me setting changes can no longer be made for non-VoIP unlock key accounts. So once the feature is disabled you won’t be able to enable it again without buying a VoIP unlock key and paying $1.95 per month for 911.

VoIP unlock key users won’t have Follow-Me disabled automatically when not making outbound calls: https://support.freephoneline.ca/hc/art ... -Follow-Me.

[mikoul]

If somebody need to reinstall the latest app till june 2025: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sb7qqdmd ... dnhqs&dl=1

[Liptonbrisk]

I heard back from a Fongo representative who stated this: "if users who signed up before [June 3, 2024] want to still use [the desktop application], it’s fine; but we cannot guarantee that the app from a third party source is legit or safe.

We removed the links to remove confusion for users who registered after June [3, 2024]."

[OudoFyringSquad]

Okay so I pay to unlocked my sip and now you say the desktop app is not going to available and not it sounds like I am supposed to pay almost 25 per for a feature I wont us because my mobile 911 is included and it should be setup a PPU (pay per use) so that doesn't make it Free Phone Line that makes it 25 per year phone line the name becomes a lie.