Fongo Name Transition

Important and exciting updates from Fongo!
User avatar
FONGO_steve
Site Moderator
Posts: 2131
Joined: 07/16/2009
SIP Device Name: Grandstream 286 & 701
ISP Name: Worldline.ca
Computer OS: Windows 7 Ultimate / Mac OS X
Router: TR1043ND w/ DD-WRT Mega
Smartphone Model: Galaxy S3
Android Version: 4.0.4
Location: Cambridge

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by FONGO_steve »

Dell Voice is simply a brand of Fongo - the same way we've also seen Bud Phone released in the past. Despite being owned and operated by Fongo, they are technically separate services right now. We are exploring ways of making switching to Dell Voice faster for existing customers.
Steve
Fongo
Development Support Specialist.
User avatar
Jake
Technical Support
Posts: 2837
Joined: 10/18/2009

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by Jake »

Thanks for the reply Steve,

So is FPL a brand of Fongo? or is Fongo a brand of FPL? or is Fongo completely separate to FPL?

Sorry for the confusion Steve, I am just trying to understand how things have changed, if indeed they have :D

I assumed that FPL would be re-branded into Fongo. But FPL is still live, and currently there is no way to sign up or login at fongo.ca
The fact that everything seems to point to DellVoice I assumed (incorrectly it would seem) that DellVoice was now the place where we would sign up for an account.

Maybe I just misunderstood what was going on.

Have I got this right? -
1. FPL will stay as it always has been, apart from now it is badged up as being "Powered by Fongo" rather than being it's own "Power"
2. DellVoice is basically another BudPhone (and FPL?) that is powered by Fongo. It just has different functions and options.
3. There won't be a way to "sign up" on Fongo, it is just a parent/power domain that will send people to whoever is sponsoring the system at the time (Bud, Dell, etc)

Sometimes I feel I should stop thinking :shock: It just seems to make me more confused.
bylo
Active Poster
Posts: 61
Joined: 02/08/2012
Smartphone Model: Google Nexus 5
Android Version: 6.0
Location: Waterloo, ON

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by bylo »

Sophia wrote:I already have a Freephoneline number, it is great because it works with Google Voice.
In order to use Fongo/Dell, I signed up there as well. Now I have two numbers, the old one in Alberta, the new one in Vancouver.
The Alberta number works with Google Voice because when you signed up to GV they considered area code 403 to be a US number.

Google has since stopped recognizing 403 numbers in this way. You can no longer get a US GV account using a 403 number. Indeed you can no longer change your GV settings for that 403 number or change the number to some other Canadian area code. So if you get your FPL 403 number changed to a Vancouver area code you'll no longer be able to use GV. And if you change your DV/Fongo number to your 403 area code, people who call you will have to pay for long distance.

Or am I missing something? (I hope so because I'm in the same situation as you are on this issue.)
Google Nexus 5 on Fido 1GB-$15/month Flex Data plan
netyang
Active Poster
Posts: 55
Joined: 12/14/2011

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by netyang »

but I cannot use my existing Freephoneline user name to login into DellVoice.
User avatar
FONGO_steve
Site Moderator
Posts: 2131
Joined: 07/16/2009
SIP Device Name: Grandstream 286 & 701
ISP Name: Worldline.ca
Computer OS: Windows 7 Ultimate / Mac OS X
Router: TR1043ND w/ DD-WRT Mega
Smartphone Model: Galaxy S3
Android Version: 4.0.4
Location: Cambridge

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by FONGO_steve »

Jake wrote:Thanks for the reply Steve,

So is FPL a brand of Fongo? or is Fongo a brand of FPL? or is Fongo completely separate to FPL?

Sorry for the confusion Steve, I am just trying to understand how things have changed, if indeed they have :D

I assumed that FPL would be re-branded into Fongo. But FPL is still live, and currently there is no way to sign up or login at fongo.ca
The fact that everything seems to point to DellVoice I assumed (incorrectly it would seem) that DellVoice was now the place where we would sign up for an account.

Maybe I just misunderstood what was going on.

Have I got this right? -
1. FPL will stay as it always has been, apart from now it is badged up as being "Powered by Fongo" rather than being it's own "Power"
2. DellVoice is basically another BudPhone (and FPL?) that is powered by Fongo. It just has different functions and options.
3. There won't be a way to "sign up" on Fongo, it is just a parent/power domain that will send people to whoever is sponsoring the system at the time (Bud, Dell, etc)

Sometimes I feel I should stop thinking :shock: It just seems to make me more confused.
Hi Jake,

I point you here: http://www.fongo.com/meet_fongo.html

I think this page should clarify the company a little better for you along with how we've grown from the freephoneline brand.
Steve
Fongo
Development Support Specialist.
User avatar
Jake
Technical Support
Posts: 2837
Joined: 10/18/2009

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by Jake »

OK I think I understand better now Steve, thanks.

It's not completely as I first thought then.
User avatar
Sophia
Just Passing Thru
Posts: 17
Joined: 01/30/2012
ISP Name: Telus
Computer OS: Win 7

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by Sophia »

bylo wrote:
Sophia wrote:I already have a Freephoneline number, it is great because it works with Google Voice.
In order to use Fongo/Dell, I signed up there as well. Now I have two numbers, the old one in Alberta, the new one in Vancouver.
The Alberta number works with Google Voice because when you signed up to GV they considered area code 403 to be a US number.

Google has since stopped recognizing 403 numbers in this way. You can no longer get a US GV account using a 403 number. Indeed you can no longer change your GV settings for that 403 number or change the number to some other Canadian area code. So if you get your FPL 403 number changed to a Vancouver area code you'll no longer be able to use GV. And if you change your DV/Fongo number to your 403 area code, people who call you will have to pay for long distance.

Or am I missing something? (I hope so because I'm in the same situation as you are on this issue.)
Hehe I think you are confused (or more likely, I am probably confusing :geek: ). I'd like to keep my trusted 403 number and (perhaps) port it over to Dell, so I can still have the same number but with Android call features. I know GV does not support 403 any longer, I tried to add the number to my husband's Voice number and it was refused!

I hope Android calling gets added to FPL, in that case I don't need to change anything :mrgreen:
As for the new Vancouver number, bah... I don't need it. It was just given to me when I signed up with Dell.
From the responses above (thanks, Steve!) I am not sure if if I want to port over now... what about my FPL credit etc?
sncbhle18
Active Poster
Posts: 50
Joined: 11/17/2011
SIP Device Name: Cisco SPA122
Firmware Version: 1.4.1
ISP Name: Rogers Cable
Computer OS: Windows 10
Location: YYZ

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by sncbhle18 »

So how will the new Dell Voice service affect use FPL users? I'm quite worried that we have limited opportunities if we were to change from FPL to Dell Voice....
TSellers
Active Poster
Posts: 126
Joined: 01/27/2010
SIP Device Name: PAP2T
Firmware Version: 5.1.6(LS)
ISP Name: TekSavvy
Computer OS: XP

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by TSellers »

I just installed the Android app and see I cannot login with my existing FPL account information. Will I be able to use my existing FPL number? I'm kind of suprised the answer is not easier to find unless I missed it.
User avatar
FONGO_kris
Site Moderator
Posts: 1937
Joined: 05/06/2009
SIP Device Name: Polycom 550 IP Phone
Firmware Version: 4.2.0.0310
ISP Name: Rogers Cable
Computer OS: Ubuntu 11.10
Router: Cisco E1200-N
Smartphone Model: Samsung Galaxy S2
Android Version: 4.0.3
Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by FONGO_kris »

In order to use Dell Voice, you must sign up for a Dell Voice account. Steve mentioned here http://forum.fongo.com/viewtopic.php?p=21094#p21094 that we're working on a better way to switch existing users.
Kris
Logistics & International Purchasing | Fongo
Call us toll-free! 611 from your fongo phone or 1-855-836-3355
Please advise I will no longer be contributing to this forum for the time being. Please feel free to email me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samsung Galaxy S2 [GT-I9100] / 3.0.15-I9100XXLPH / Thebyani v3.2
pablob
Quiet One
Posts: 26
Joined: 06/21/2010
SIP Device Name: GrandStream HT-287
ISP Name: Electronic Box Cable
Computer OS: Debian GNU/Linux
Router: OpenWRT 18.06

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by pablob »

sncbhle18 wrote:So how will the new Dell Voice service affect use FPL users? I'm quite worried that we have limited opportunities if we were to change from FPL to Dell Voice....
I second sncbhle's question: Will the new Dell Voice service affect my SIP FPL number now or in the future?

I don't see a reason to run to transfer my account to Dell Voice right now, I am quite happy with my working phone setup so far.

EDIT: "phone setup" sounds much better than "setup phone" ;)
User avatar
FONGO_mike
Site Moderator
Posts: 1095
Joined: 12/22/2011
SIP Device Name: Grandstream 286/TG701
ISP Name: www.worldline.ca
Computer OS: Windows 7/ Windows XP/Windows Vista
Router: TG784. 780, 585, 546.
Smartphone Model: Bold 9900
Location: Fibernetics Head Office

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by FONGO_mike »

Dell Voice in no way will affect any other services.
L3 Escalation Support Specialist
Fibernetics
Please contact me for your FPL DSL issues. For phone issues, please open a support ticket by going here.
Never give out personal information or access to your computer to somebody you don't know, Fongo staff will never ask for your username or password.
pablob
Quiet One
Posts: 26
Joined: 06/21/2010
SIP Device Name: GrandStream HT-287
ISP Name: Electronic Box Cable
Computer OS: Debian GNU/Linux
Router: OpenWRT 18.06

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by pablob »

FONGO_mike wrote:Dell Voice in no way will affect any other services.
Thanks for the quick reply, Mike! I'm glad that what is working well will keep on working well.
emoci
Just Passing Thru
Posts: 14
Joined: 08/18/2009

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by emoci »

So what is the future of each of the related services...will they continue running independently:

FreePhoneLine (www.FreePhoneLine.ca)
ClearPointTel (http://www.clearpointel.ca/)
Bud and Bud Light Phone (http://www.budphone.ca/ and http://budlightphone.ca/lda)
cubrb
Just Passing Thru
Posts: 3
Joined: 01/25/2012

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by cubrb »

Hello,

Can I use my FPL on my Android?

I am hoping that I would be able to do so rather than get a new number at DV.
User avatar
Jake
Technical Support
Posts: 2837
Joined: 10/18/2009

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by Jake »

cubrb wrote:Hello,

Can I use my FPL on my Android?

I am hoping that I would be able to do so rather than get a new number at DV.
Not via an official app.

If you have bought the config file you can either use the smartphone's native SIP settings (if it has it) or use another SIP softphone which there are a few around.

They have mentioned they are hoping to make it so we can move our accounts over to DV, but nothing set in concrete or official as yet.
User avatar
Sophia
Just Passing Thru
Posts: 17
Joined: 01/30/2012
ISP Name: Telus
Computer OS: Win 7

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by Sophia »

FONGO_kris wrote:Yes, of course. You may call in to our call center to transfer the number from one account to the other.
I posted in another thread, but I must have done something wrong... it's not there :oops: Today I finally phoned Fongo to make the number transfer, and I was told in no uncertain terms NO, we can't do that. I really, REALLY want to start using the Android app together with Google Voice... did you disable the possibility to transfer my FPL number to Dell Voice?
User avatar
TheHardy
***Übergod***
Posts: 1632
Joined: 08/13/2011
SIP Device Name: FPL PC softphone (buggy)
Firmware Version: 3.0.3.0
ISP Name: Telus Optik
Computer OS: Win7
Router: Actiontec V1000H
Smartphone Model: none
Location: Surrey, BC

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by TheHardy »

Sophia wrote:
FONGO_kris wrote:Yes, of course. You may call in to our call center to transfer the number from one account to the other.
I posted in another thread, but I must have done something wrong... it's not there :oops: Today I finally phoned Fongo to make the number transfer, and I was told in no uncertain terms NO, we can't do that. I really, REALLY want to start using the Android app together with Google Voice... did you disable the possibility to transfer my FPL number to Dell Voice?
New posts by low-posting users need to be verified by the moderators first ...

When DV first launched, there was a lot of buzz and excitement, and somethings were said. It resolved out that YOU could transfer, but there was the normal PORTING fee even to switch from one Fongo service (FPL) to another (DV).

I never agreed with this, but it is what it is.

In the meantime, there have been some changes in the way that DV is marketted and supported. One of these changes may well be that you are no longer able to PORT into DV ... Hopefully one of the Level-3's here catches this thread and is able to reply CONCISELY and SUCCINCTLY to answer your question ....

Remember: what may have been possible 3 months ago, may no longer be possible!
Hardy - Surrey, BC ~~ increasingly disgruntled FPL user ... comon, fix your stuff!
driver/webmaster - INCARTA Professional Delivery & Moving -- http://www.incarta.ca 604-594-7126
User avatar
Sophia
Just Passing Thru
Posts: 17
Joined: 01/30/2012
ISP Name: Telus
Computer OS: Win 7

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by Sophia »

TheHardy wrote:It resolved out that YOU could transfer, but there was the normal PORTING fee even to switch from one Fongo service (FPL) to another (DV).
Thanks for your reply, TheHardy, I'm sure we'll soon hear something official.

I don't mind paying the porting fee, if that is not outrageous, or even buying the SIP which at one point I would have done anyway (not if I can't port though). The FPL program doesn't work on my Windows 7 machine, and as I said I'd like to use the Android app.
As it is now, I will keep on using Skype out and solely use FPL to forward to our land-line from Google Voice.

Trust me to make slow decisions and lose the opportunity :geek:
User avatar
TheHardy
***Übergod***
Posts: 1632
Joined: 08/13/2011
SIP Device Name: FPL PC softphone (buggy)
Firmware Version: 3.0.3.0
ISP Name: Telus Optik
Computer OS: Win7
Router: Actiontec V1000H
Smartphone Model: none
Location: Surrey, BC

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by TheHardy »

We are off topic a bit here, but I will say that you may be best suited to PM (private message) MIKE or STEVE or even DOM_A regarding your clarifying your situation.

If you like the ANDROID app, then you are stuck with DV ... if you need the config file (and then you can use ANY software on the android) you will need to be on FPL to get the config file ...

I am still upset about the changeover and the lack of notification that the ability to purchase a config file for DV was removed without the opportunity for existing account holders to do so ... it smacks of bait and switch or negative option billing exercised by the competition ... I *know* it is not the same thing, but it smells the same!

Side note about Win-7 --- is there a specific reason why the FPL software will not work? If it is the case of a previously failed install, try the REVO UNINSTALLER to get rid of all elements of the software and take another shot at it ...
Hardy - Surrey, BC ~~ increasingly disgruntled FPL user ... comon, fix your stuff!
driver/webmaster - INCARTA Professional Delivery & Moving -- http://www.incarta.ca 604-594-7126
User avatar
Jake
Technical Support
Posts: 2837
Joined: 10/18/2009

Re: Fongo Name Transition

Post by Jake »

If you need to keep your number, buy the config file on FPL and then get a sip phone app from the market.
If you don't need to keep your number just set up a new account on DV. You can always forward your FPL number to your DV number until everyone knows your new number.