Can I add a new #, route only that to voice mail?

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

I think that Vonage CSR is mistaken. My understanding is that virtual numbers are not considered a separate number hence it will be given the same settings as your main number.

So if you set up your main number to have voicemail disabled, it will do the same for the virtual number.

What you want is another main number (i.e. your 3rd line) and it will do what you want it to do but it will cost you $14.99/month.

Posts: 143 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Dec 22, 2005 Posts: 143

Vonage Virtual numbers do not have there own voicemail box, they only forward to a number of your choice that is already on your account.

Posts: 276 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 276

Jobiwon wrote:

she's not. there is no voicemail for Virtual Numbers. they simply ring through onto another line and use that line's forwarding settings, be it actual forwarding, simulring, or voicemail.

The description on Vonage's web site of virtual numbers vis-a-vis voice mail seems to indicate otherwise.

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

maybe, that's a new change in their virtual number settings. if that is correct, then go for it. it's a whole lot cheaper than $14.99 that's for sure. thanks for updating us about virtual number settings.

Posts: 276 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 276

I could be wrong, of course, but the description seemed to have indicated that. It wouldn't surprise me if said description wasn't exactly accurate.

I wish I could find out by trying it without getting socked financially. I'd hate to be told I couldn't get a refund if I got a virtual number then canceled it right away if it didn't work.

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

I may be wrong but here is what it says in the help section on the Vonage website about vm and virtual numbers:

Quote:

How does voicemail work with a Virtual Phone Number?

If you have a virtual number pointed to one telephone number, all features turned on for your telephone number will also work for your virtual number. Voicemail will pick up for any number that rings to your virtual number that you have selected

According to this FAQ, it seems like whatever settings you make for vm pick up on your main line will affect the virtual number but it does not say anything about setting vm settings separately for virtual numbers.

If you could point me to the description you read, I would perhaps be able to agree or disagree with your reading of it.

Posts: 276 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 276

Quote:

Voicemail will pick up for any number that rings to your virtual number that you have selected.

It's this last sentence to which the cust. svc. rep. referred.

I understand that whatever features the main # has will piggyback to the virtual #; however, the way that above sentence is worded--and it could be misleading or altogether incorrect, of course--implies that dialing a virtual # that has its voice mail setting enabled will allow that virtual # to itself have voice mail if the main # doesn't.

I dunno. I think I'm even more confused now.

Posts: 12 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 11, 2006 Posts: 12

it is poorly worded, and quite confusing. virtual numbers simply redirect incoming calls to another number. the xml files for virtual numbers are extremely basic, there's no forward on timeout settings, just a pointer to the main number.

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

If you read the other FAQs in that section, I think it becomes more clear as to the way virtual numbers work. They are indeed just forwarded to a main number and they do not function like a main number. Of course, you never know, they might have their own vm capability but it doesn't appear to be so in the rest of the FAQs since its intent is to help others reach you w/o having to pay long distance and hence they are one way, incoming only.

Posts: 328 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Dec 13, 2005 Posts: 328

If all you want is a mailbox for incoming calls, you can sign up for one of the semi-free services like voicestick and get a local number where ever you want. Then if you move, you can move you Vonage service to that location and change your number if you want.