[How-To] Get a Free Us Inbound and Outbound number

The original method in this thread is definitely not a permanent solution, as you can only get 60 minutes of free calls without a paid registration...

The second method is better (with voipuser.org) , but using a UK number to make your outbound calls to a friend in the US will most likely cost them an arm and a leg, even if it is free for you. Also, unless you live in Ohio, your friends will be forced to pay for an out-of-state call whenever they dial your number from freedigits.com.

That being said, I would suggest getting a freedigits number by following the methods in the first post, but then using a service from Google called Grandcentral ( grandcentral.com ). Grandcentral allows you to pick an area code and Google finds a number in that area code that you can have. It routes all calls to that specific, Google-provided number to several other user-defined numbers (so your Grandcentral number can replace your landline, mobile, and freedigits phones all at once!).

Through this method, you can truly route all incoming call traffic from your Grandcentral number to either your mobile / landline / freedigits.com phone number free of charge, and your friend will be charged for a call to an area code of your choice.

However, I'm still in the dark as far as outgoing calls go . I might have to install a second SIP-VoIP client on my iPod in order to have a free outgoing service. If there is anything similar to the voipuser.org system that is based in the US, it would be greatly appreciated!

Grandcentral is in the beta and only has a limited number of spaces (just so people know).
If you want it, sign up quick. I just sent in my request.

Wow, great points there and good information. Thanks for the recommendation for grand central - i also put in my request.

As for the voipuser.org, I am unable to connect to their server from my ipod...so i will keep looking around for a similar service.

EDIT: Some more points about grandcentral:

The beta is private, meaning you have to get invited by either the team itself or a current beta tester. The form we filled out is just to reserve a number when it goes public, which is in an indefinite amount of time.

I also have a question/idea that i hope is right but kind of know is wrong:
If we route the voipuser.org number through grand central, will we be able to use the free calling of voipuser but with our grandcentral number? Heres an impromptu diagram:

Could we have:

Inbound call------->GC 1(111)111-1111--------->Freedigits 1(222)222-2222

AND

voipuser.org 0044******** (UK Number)---------->GC 1(111)111-1111------------>outbound call


I highly doubt this because i think in the second scenario google's GC server would end up being responsible for the outbound call, not voipuser's. Doesnt hurt to brainstorm though.

Ok, after a bit more consideration, I realized that at least 99% of all major telcos offer free incoming calls with their basic services. If this also applies to incoming calls from international numbers, it would make the search for an outgoing number to use in the US much easier!

For example a voipuser.org number from the UK could be configured to make all outgoing calls and a freedigits.com number from Ohio routed through Grandcentral to your area code could be set to catch all the incoming calls, and your friends wouldn't have to pay international rates for your free* calls

I guarantee that anyone who finds a comprehensive list of how major telcos treat incoming international calls will get +1 rep from me and most likely several more from others

For mor info regarding my question above and GC, read here: http://blog.grandcentral.com/?p=122
Put simply, that post states that what i proposed will be implemented in the final product, but wont be free.

Tj - i see what youre saying. Im smiling right now because there is no need to look up a comprehensive list - once i get pstn access on voipuser, i will simply call my freedigits number to test it out. I think it will work - i dont see a reason why it wont (freedigits makes a small amt of money for each incoming call - thats why they can offer their services for free).

EDIT: TJ - by "telcos" do you mean pstn (like verizon, optimum) or VOIP (like freedigits)? This will affect the answer to your inquiry, because if you meant pstn companies , i would have to look that up.

Great find with that GC blog Parm!

According to this, using GC with a freedigits.com incoming number would be possible for the beta period, and as an added bonus your return calls (i.e. outgoing calls) can be easily routed through your voipuser.org line by default. I like that.

However, I wanted that list of how international incoming calls are treated not for myself, but for all of my friends... I want to make sure that I don't screw them all over by sending all of my outgoing calls from England hee hee.


EDIT: pstn, I don't expect you to look it up though... I was actually just going to research a way to have a voipuser.com-like profile that I can either route through my GC number for free or that I can choose the area code for in order to minimize the burden on my friends wallets.

ok, then the blog post answered your question. Are you participating in the private beta right now? If you are, mind sending an invite so i can test it out?

Please thanks.

No I'm not but I put in a reservation about 20 hours ago and from what I've looked up it usually takes 24-48 hours to get in after that. I think that a freedigits.com incoming is the most solid part of this whole conversation, but the whole outgoing situation is still a bit wishy-washy. Maybe we should try to figure this all out and post another tutorial?

So far we have:
1) SIP-VOIP 1.2

2) freedigits.com incoming number
- Possibly using Grandcentral to reduce the cost for friends and allow for a simple integration of your new ipod number into your existing phone lineup

3) Unknown service for outgoing calls. Possible service providers:
- voipuser.org
- possibly configured with Grandcentral to be the automatic number that calls back calls to the freedigits.com number

Given the general complexity of all this routing forwarding and rule bending, I'm strongly considering putting 10 euros (~$15) into a freecall.com account in order to get unlimited outgoing calls for less than 3 cents a minute (and they give you 60 free days with a max of 300minutes/7days with unlimited call lengths just for adding money). That means I would get two months of completely free outgoing calls, after which I would have at least another 350 minutes worth of credit, and once i "top off" my account again I would recieve another 60 days of free unlimited calls as long as I keep it under 300 mins/7 days. Of course I would make it be the reply number for my freedigits.com calls

Then there is also iCall.com, which is strongly hinting that they are developing a platform for the iPhone to make free outgoing calls over WiFi, so that would work with the touch... Maybee if i can find the registrar for the service I could put the info into SIP-VOIP 1.2 and try it out... Post the registrar if you can find it please

yeah

i have the mic but i recently broke my collar bone so my arm isnt steady enough to mod it.
is there any way to make it work with out moding it?
like a download or something?
help a fellow ipod touch owner out.