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

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

I think I know the answer to this, but I want to make sure before I go ahead and spend the extra $$.

I've already got a primary line and a secondary fax line. I wish to add a third # to my account, but I want this to be a new number with an area code in another state. I'm doing this because I'm applying for educational employment near where my brother lives, and rather than have the potential employers call long distance, I'd prefer to have them call a local number. Plus, seeing a local # might not be the turnoff that a long distance # would otherwise be.

Now, my main questions are: (1) this new, additional # will ring through as if the call came into my primary #, correct? (2) Can I set up voice mail for only that other state #? Currently, I have voice mail disabled completely because I have a rather advanced answering machine that handles my incoming calls and messages. It's set up to answer after 5 rings. I was wondering if I'd be able to say, set up a voice mail for this other state # and program it to record after 3 rings.

Is any of this possible?

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

This is the first time I've seen this kind of question. My instinctive response is most likely no b/c there is no such advanced settings for virtual numbers. Now I believe you can set up different settings for each main number but I really doubt that it will work for a virtual number. I would double check with Vonage directly on this but my understanding of their capabilities is no.

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

I could be using the wrong terminology. Perhaps "virtual #" should be called a new number then. I'm looking to add a 3rd # with a different area code in another state and have that go to voice mail if unanswered.

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

I believe that you have that kind of functionality with main numbers. So if you add this 3rd number, you will have 3 separate main numbers. I believe in your vonage.com account, you should be able to select different voice mail settings for each of your main numbers hence, what you want should theoretically be done. I say theoretically b/c I only have 1 main number so I've never tried it.

In fact, maybe you can test with your 2 numbers already by putting the second number directly to voicemail and call it using your first line and see if it works. Then you can call your 1st line to see if your answering machine picks up. If this little experiment works, then you know that individual numbers can have different voice mail settings.

Posts: 23 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 19, 2007 Posts: 23

well, if you have just 1 main number with Vonage, know that you can add a second line for free for two months... you wouldn't pay anything if you cancel this second line within 60 days... so you can try that

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

Except that I've already got two numbers: my main one and a second fax line.

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

I think the key to this is your statement that calls to the new number will just ring through to the same phone as your main number. To do that requires that you add a virtual number, and you can't set up special voice mail handling for that, so far as I know. However, if you get another main number, running from its own adapter to its own phone, then it will have its own voice mail settings.

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

I think a virtual # is what I do, in fact, need. I spoke to a Vonage rep. today and she explained that a virtual # would ring through to my main line and that I would be able to turn on voice mail for that virtual number alone if I so chose. Sounds like this is what I'm looking for.

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

I agree, assuming that she's correct about the voice mail.

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

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.