International forwarding/call bridge devices?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 23, 2003 Posts: 2

First, let me say that my Vonage phone works great from Brazil! Except for, as many have already mentioned, folks back home forgetting the time differences... Smile

What would be perfect would be if I could have calls to my Vonage phone be forwarded to my local cellphone when I am out. However, international forwarding is not available with the Vonage service.

I am thinking the following:

an inexpensive device that connects to 2 lines - line 1: Vonage, line 2: local telco and takes incoming calls on line 1 (vonage) and connects them to line 2 (local telco) which dials out to my local cellphone.

I have done some searching on this topic and there seem to be some soho hybrid pbx products that may do this (in addition to a lot of stuff I don't need). The feature seems to be called "call bridging." Have any of you done something similar? Are there any devices that can do this for a reasonable price ($100-200 or less)?

Thanks!

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 16, 2003 Posts: 7

What you are looking for is the Voip port converter fxs to fxo.

Go to ebay search on Voip port converter or go to voxilla.com

This device enables you to connect your ata to the pstn and auto call forward your calls to your local mobile phone.

PS: if you have a Cisco ATA you need to get the 5v model if you have the Motorola ATA you need o get the 12v model both about $50

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 16, 2003 Posts: 7

The FX-200 Voip port converter is no long available on ebay please go to voxilla.com

Posts: 3 · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:02 pm Post subject: voip converter

im using the linksys adapter, will the motorola Voip converter work on this? the voxilla website says its only used for the motorolla units.

butch

Posts: 30 · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 6:20 pm Post subject: VoIP port FWD

I have used the FX-200 and "The Stick II" with the same intentions as Juan9569. I found both to almost work but not quite well enough to keep on. The setup on the FX-200 requires some tweaking with a variable resistor for the dial tone and I never was really satisfied. The FWDed call has significantly lower volume. The good news is the FX-200 is cheap so to try it does not cost too much. I'd get one just to satisfy your curiosity but keep your expectations low.

I would like to see Vonage allow country code and overseas number capabilities with the FWD function instead myself. If I am not home to get the Vonage call, it FWDs to my local cell phone number. Sure it would cost me a bit more but the convenience would be worth it.

I know 6-8 others in Bangkok who would like this feature as well. Is there a suggestion box to which we can keep dropping this request?

Posts: 23 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 07, 2005 Posts: 23

juan9569 wrote:

First, let me say that my Vonage phone works great from Brazil! Except for, as many have already mentioned, folks back home forgetting the time differences... Smile

What would be perfect would be if I could have calls to my Vonage phone be forwarded to my local cellphone when I am out. However, international forwarding is not available with the Vonage service.

That would be great, allow international forwarding...
I'm using the device outside the US right now, and quality is fair, not as good as I expected but enough to talk decenty. (sometimes get's choppy), considering that I already have another PAP2 connected to my local Voip provider. (maybe I could blame the lag.. )

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 16, 2005 Posts: 1

butch,

I just spoke to the customer service of voxilla.com and they confirmed that it will work with Linksys. You have to get the 12v version of FX-200 as Linksys DC adapter is 12v.

I ordered one today and will let you know I recieve and test it with Linksys.
- Aravind[/quote]

Posts: 3

arvi007 wrote:

butch,

I just spoke to the customer service of voxilla.com and they confirmed that it will work with Linksys. You have to get the 12v version of FX-200 as Linksys DC adapter is 12v.

I ordered one today and will let you know I recieve and test it with Linksys.
- Aravind

[/quote]

arvi007 :

ok thanks, i will wait for your feedback before i purchase the unit.

butch

Posts: 7 · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:36 pm Post subject:

Awesome. I may be studying abroad in the Netherlands soon (currently in the US), and I thought it would be very neat to make some sort of device that could link Vonage calls to POTS so that I could forward calls to a local cell phone there (or make calls through my Vonage line from my cell phone).

One issue, can you password protect these devices? As in, when I use my cell phone to dial the local number, and the device picks up, can it require a pin or something before giving me a Vonage dialtone and allowing me to dial?

This would be to prevent people who call the local number (either trying to reach me or accidentally), from placing calls on my Vonage line....

Posts: 30 · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 4:03 pm Post subject:

Furyg3, Yes the FX-200 and "The Stick II" both can be configured to do just what you ask. The Stick II requires a bit more programing spelunking than the FX-200 but doable. If you buy the FX-200, get the correct voltage model as they have 5vDC and 12vDC. (It uses the power from your ATA).

http://store.voxilla.com/customer/product.php?productid=16140
http://www.faxswitch.com/bear/faxswitch/info/s2_manual.pdf"

Both devices drop your volume significantly so beware. I own both of these boxes and removed them from service for this reason. I may give them a go once again and will post results perhaps in the next few weeks...

Good luck and tell us about your experience if you buy one.