Feature Request: Call Forking

[emoci]

One cool feature that VBuzzer has implemented, and would be cool if FPL could bring on board is CALL Forking:

The basic idea is than an incoming call can ring a "Registered ATA" plus up to "3 other PSTN destinations" simultaneously.
When entering the PSTN destinations an option is given to pass through the CID of the caller, or to send the CID of the account (in our case your FreePhoneLine number...this last part comes in handy for people with 'unlimited calls with specific numbers' on their cell plan).

If you wanted to take it further, add the option to forward (add as a follow-me destination) not only a phone number, but a SIP URI as well (this would be cool, but I realize I may be asking a tad much).

I noticed today that you've added the option to enter more than one FollowMe number, essentially Call Hunting...so I figured I would suggest this.

[Jake]

If you wanted to take it further, add the option to forward (add as a follow-me destination) not only a phone number, but a SIP URI as well (this would be cool, but I realize I may be asking a tad much).

They have said that this is possible, and may be added to the admin area. I think the online billing is what they are working on right now though.

[FONGO_kris]

Jake is right, but I also want to know from some other users because I can do this as well. Do you want to forward TO a SIP URI, or be able to call your Freephoneline numbers SIP URI.

I know you said pretty obviously "FORWARD" but I want to get an idea of what everyone wants.

[Jake]

Jake is right, but I also want to know from some other users because I can do this as well. Do you want to forward TO a SIP URI, or be able to call your Freephoneline numbers SIP URI.

I know you said pretty obviously "FORWARD" but I want to get an idea of what everyone wants.

+1 vote for both. But the vote is mainly for being able to forward to another SIP URI.

[emoci]

Jake is right, but I also want to know from some other users because I can do this as well. Do you want to forward TO a SIP URI, or be able to call your Freephoneline numbers SIP URI.

I know you said pretty obviously "FORWARD" but I want to get an idea of what everyone wants.

Both features have their own benefits:

-Forwarding to a SIP URI allows users to receive calls without registration. It is especially nice for those of us using aggregators like VoXalot and PBXes with a limited number of providers than can actually be SIP Registered for incoming. It also opens an interesting possibility within FPL. I know you have been working on allowing each acct. to have multiple DIDs assigned to it... but in the meantime SIP URI forwarding DID1 to SIP URI of DID2 can have two separate DIDs react as a single acct.

-Receiving inbound SIP URI calls is interesting because it opens the possibility to have Third Party DIDs (think areas you don't currently cover) forwarded and therefore undergo the same call forwarding/hunting features that FPL DIDs already enjoy.


I would like to note though that the "Forking" capability may be the most interesting, in the sense that I can have my line ring on my desk (phone attached to ATA), while simultaneously ringing my CellPhone (just in case I happen to be out and about).

[ffluser]

Forwarding to another SIP URI is the most desirable feature for me ...

[sapstar]

Forwarding to another SIP URI is the most desirable feature for me ...

Yep... same here.

(although both would be appreciated, I must admit)

[elwebmaster]

Well, both will be really useful but as we also want them for free, either one would be nice
Issues with these features:
1) SIP forwarding TO freephoneline:
- no termination fees collected by freephoneline
- the user can forward the account to a PSTN and thus use it exclusively for outbound calling, without purchasing the config file
2) SIP forwarding FROM freephoneline:
- a user may decide to register accounts from many cities and forward them all to the same SIP URI, even if freephoneline checks for SIP URIs it is very easy to circumvent such restrictions with a PBX once SIP forwarding is allowed
- users may no longer use the soft client/purchase a config file since they can just have the number forwarded via SIP (for incoming) and use other provider (who does not provide Canadian numbers) for outgoing (like GoogleVoice for example)

There probably are other problems you guys should consider. But it would certainly be nice to have both of these features. If you are making money from termination fees then it looks like this feature will increase your revenue (as business users will be getting numbers from various cities and forwarding them all to their PBX, generating a lot of incoming traffic).

[FONGO_steve]

There probably are other problems you guys should consider. But it would certainly be nice to have both of these features. If you are making money from termination fees then it looks like this feature will increase your revenue (as business users will be getting numbers from various cities and forwarding them all to their PBX, generating a lot of incoming traffic).

We don't allow business users though - we are residential only
and termination fees are made on our actual DIDs, not on incoming SIP connections. So if they get other DIDs with other providers, we're loosing money