Foreign Residential Listing

Posts: 9 · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:36 am Post subject:

stephany wrote:

I am really glad to hear this because a lot of Creditors have not made me jump through hoops because they couldn't verify my home phone number w/ 411.

Tell us. Did you ever get this done?

Fred

Posts: 9

joesands wrote:

I have to admit it, I was very skeptical about getting my Vonage Business number listed through my local directory assistance (Sprint). It was Very easy, which is VERY UNUSUAL for Sprint.

I called my local number, told them I had a foreign business number to be listed. They referred me to the Directory Department at 877-235-2611. There the lady asked for my information, Business name, address, number etc.

There is a one time $18.85 Setup charge, and 2.00/Month charge for this.

In order to build business credit, it helps to have your number listed in the directory (even just white pages) and on directory assistance.

Hope this helps.

Joe

Way to go, Joel.

But I can't believe they charged you the setup charge. Neither Bellsouth nor Verizon hit me with one.

But you succeeded. Congrats.

Fred

Posts: 9

skinny wrote:

Hello,
Anybody in Chicago been through this process. I'm considering going all vonage with a new business. Had the yellow pages guy here today and he said he'd have to look into it. Around here SBC is main carrier. Has anyone dealt with them to get a Vonage business line into the white pages / yellow pages?

Thanks in advance.

Did you ever get this done?

Fred

Posts: 9 · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Info for SBC

michaelm wrote:

I just got the run-around with SBC (Southwestern Bell). I FINALLY accomplished my goal of getting listed in directory assistance. Here's how I did it:

Call 800-303-6388
Tell them you want a listing in the White Pages for a Voice over IP phone number. If they say "A what?" Then tell them a "Foreign Listing". The person I spoke to actually knew what VOIP was and she said it's very new and not everyone in her department is familiar with that terminology. She said that a foreign listing would be the way to say it if they didn't know VOIP.

I changed my tune from asking for a directory assistance listing to asking for a White Pages listing - I seemed to get better results.

With a White Pages listing, you are automatically in Directory Assistance. It takes about 3 days to be in the 1-411 directory, and the next phone book cycle to be in the white pages (be sure to specify what city phone book you want to be listed in, and if you want the address listed).

For my business to get listed is going to cost something like a one-time $18.00 fee, then $6/month.

Hope this helps!!

Way to go. See, it just takes a little perseverance.

Fred

Posts: 17 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 17

Can someone explain to me why Vonage does not submit and maintain phone numbers in a National 411 directory database? They should at least offer this for a nominal fee.

Posts: 9

DWC1 wrote:

Can someone explain to me why Vonage does not submit and maintain phone numbers in a National 411 directory database? They should at least offer this for a nominal fee.

My kneejerk reaction is that VOIP companies aren't yet recognized as real telephone companies by the telephone companies and the issues haven't been settled as yet. When MCI entered the market, the phone companies didn't take them seriously either until there was court decision requiring them to deal with it.

Besides, the VOIP companies have enough on their plate making their entry into the residential and business telephone market. Take the 911 deadine, for example. And I *do* think that much more important than directory assistance issues. Hopefully after 911 has been resolved, they will move on D/A listings for VOIP companies. Or maybe someone can just start a small company that would arrange for D/A listings with any carrier you need it done by. You'd order the listing from this private company and they'd arrange it to be made with the appropriate carrier for that area.

Remember VOIP is sailing uncharted waters. They are going to have to be some court cases and regulatory activity before there are going to be clear cut answers.

Remember that most of the above is pure speculation on my part. If someone is in a position to give a better answer, please share with us.

Fred

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 08, 2006 Posts: 4

Thanks Fred, I'll give that a try. I haven't yet signed up. This whole thing scares me as we are running a small business from the home and the number transfer sounds like a real nightmare, but the forum at least gives me a place to ask questions. I really appreciate your quick reply. John

Posts: 37 · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:22 am Post subject:

When I requested to port my SBC number over to Vonage almost two years ago, there was a check box on the form to indicate whether I want to keep my number listed or not. I checked that box and my number has remained listed. Also, I moved 2 months ago to a different zip code in the same town and if I Google my phone number, the phone book record comes up with the new zip code. All I did was update my address with Vonage. In the online version of SBC's white pages I'm still listed with the old zip code. Interesting to say the least.