How to have a Canadian phone number which can forward calls to a number abroad?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
While traveling long-term we would like a convenient way of getting calls from Canada by having a portable local number which we can take with us. We would give this number to banks, credit card companies, insurance, etc, so it has to be an ordinary phone number to them.
A cellular phone does this where roaming is available but is extremely expensive to us. So instead, we are looking for some kind of portable voice-over-IP service which we would connect whenever there is an internet connection, preferable via WiFi, but wired solutions are OK. It would be great if it also came with some kind of cloud voice-mail service, so that people can leave messages while the device is not connected or we cannot answer.
Basically, we are looking for the equivalent of a land-land phone service that we can travel with! This can be a combination of a service and device which would pay for regularly.
Does this exist? If so, where are the options and differences between them?
canada mobile-operators
edited Dec 14 '16 at 12:30
pnuts
27.1k368166
asked Mar 12 '16 at 16:32
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
add a comment |
While traveling long-term we would like a convenient way of getting calls from Canada by having a portable local number which we can take with us. We would give this number to banks, credit card companies, insurance, etc, so it has to be an ordinary phone number to them.
A cellular phone does this where roaming is available but is extremely expensive to us. So instead, we are looking for some kind of portable voice-over-IP service which we would connect whenever there is an internet connection, preferable via WiFi, but wired solutions are OK. It would be great if it also came with some kind of cloud voice-mail service, so that people can leave messages while the device is not connected or we cannot answer.
Basically, we are looking for the equivalent of a land-land phone service that we can travel with! This can be a combination of a service and device which would pay for regularly.
Does this exist? If so, where are the options and differences between them?
canada mobile-operators
edited Dec 14 '16 at 12:30
pnuts
27.1k368166
asked Mar 12 '16 at 16:32
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
2
Is an equivalent of SkypeIn acceptable?
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 12 '16 at 16:42
@JonathanReez - Not sure how that woks. Can it call to a phone? I rarely travel with a computer.
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:09
The reference to long-term travel makes this sound more like a question for Expatriates than here.
– David Richerby
Mar 13 '16 at 4:13
@DavidRicherby - My intuition is that the difference is that travel is to keep moving while expats for for people moving to a new country.
– Itai
Mar 13 '16 at 17:47
add a comment |
While traveling long-term we would like a convenient way of getting calls from Canada by having a portable local number which we can take with us. We would give this number to banks, credit card companies, insurance, etc, so it has to be an ordinary phone number to them.
A cellular phone does this where roaming is available but is extremely expensive to us. So instead, we are looking for some kind of portable voice-over-IP service which we would connect whenever there is an internet connection, preferable via WiFi, but wired solutions are OK. It would be great if it also came with some kind of cloud voice-mail service, so that people can leave messages while the device is not connected or we cannot answer.
Basically, we are looking for the equivalent of a land-land phone service that we can travel with! This can be a combination of a service and device which would pay for regularly.
Does this exist? If so, where are the options and differences between them?
canada mobile-operators
edited Dec 14 '16 at 12:30
pnuts
27.1k368166
asked Mar 12 '16 at 16:32
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
While traveling long-term we would like a convenient way of getting calls from Canada by having a portable local number which we can take with us. We would give this number to banks, credit card companies, insurance, etc, so it has to be an ordinary phone number to them.
A cellular phone does this where roaming is available but is extremely expensive to us. So instead, we are looking for some kind of portable voice-over-IP service which we would connect whenever there is an internet connection, preferable via WiFi, but wired solutions are OK. It would be great if it also came with some kind of cloud voice-mail service, so that people can leave messages while the device is not connected or we cannot answer.
Basically, we are looking for the equivalent of a land-land phone service that we can travel with! This can be a combination of a service and device which would pay for regularly.
Does this exist? If so, where are the options and differences between them?
canada mobile-operators
canada mobile-operators
edited Dec 14 '16 at 12:30
pnuts
27.1k368166
asked Mar 12 '16 at 16:32
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
edited Dec 14 '16 at 12:30
pnuts
27.1k368166
asked Mar 12 '16 at 16:32
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
edited Dec 14 '16 at 12:30
pnuts
27.1k368166
edited Dec 14 '16 at 12:30
pnuts
27.1k368166
edited Dec 14 '16 at 12:30
pnuts
27.1k368166
27.1k368166
asked Mar 12 '16 at 16:32
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
asked Mar 12 '16 at 16:32
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
asked Mar 12 '16 at 16:32
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
30.2k972160
2
Is an equivalent of SkypeIn acceptable?
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 12 '16 at 16:42
@JonathanReez - Not sure how that woks. Can it call to a phone? I rarely travel with a computer.
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:09
The reference to long-term travel makes this sound more like a question for Expatriates than here.
– David Richerby
Mar 13 '16 at 4:13
@DavidRicherby - My intuition is that the difference is that travel is to keep moving while expats for for people moving to a new country.
– Itai
Mar 13 '16 at 17:47
add a comment |
2
Is an equivalent of SkypeIn acceptable?
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 12 '16 at 16:42
@JonathanReez - Not sure how that woks. Can it call to a phone? I rarely travel with a computer.
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:09
The reference to long-term travel makes this sound more like a question for Expatriates than here.
– David Richerby
Mar 13 '16 at 4:13
@DavidRicherby - My intuition is that the difference is that travel is to keep moving while expats for for people moving to a new country.
– Itai
Mar 13 '16 at 17:47
2
2
Is an equivalent of SkypeIn acceptable?
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 12 '16 at 16:42
Is an equivalent of SkypeIn acceptable?
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 12 '16 at 16:42
@JonathanReez - Not sure how that woks. Can it call to a phone? I rarely travel with a computer.
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:09
@JonathanReez - Not sure how that woks. Can it call to a phone? I rarely travel with a computer.
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:09
The reference to long-term travel makes this sound more like a question for Expatriates than here.
– David Richerby
Mar 13 '16 at 4:13
The reference to long-term travel makes this sound more like a question for Expatriates than here.
– David Richerby
Mar 13 '16 at 4:13
@DavidRicherby - My intuition is that the difference is that travel is to keep moving while expats for for people moving to a new country.
– Itai
Mar 13 '16 at 17:47
@DavidRicherby - My intuition is that the difference is that travel is to keep moving while expats for for people moving to a new country.
– Itai
Mar 13 '16 at 17:47
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
Not quite sure why would you need a special device. Anveo (which I use) or voip.ms and a VoIP app on your smartphone/tablet/laptop (I am using Zoiper) will do just fine. A Canadian number costs less than two dollars.
I use this setup both inside and outside of Canada and it works.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:43
chxchx
39.1k485195
That is interesting. I'll take a look, if it works with a smartphone, then that's the device and I'm OK with that :)
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:10
1
This answer gave me some good hints and with some research figured out some details. I'm inclined to accept it but it would be nice if you filled out the implied bits: That an existing device can be used if there is an app which supports the same protocol (IAX, SIP, possibly others?) as the phone-number/service provider. Maybe cover a few of the protocols if they have differences in support, coverage, availability.
– Itai
Apr 6 '16 at 13:43
And how is that travel subreddit :) ? There not that many SMS receive capable VoIP providers neither there are many VoIP apps on Android so the space to research is small. I gave you my recommendation what else should I do?
– chx
May 8 '16 at 0:20
add a comment |
Sure, any Canadian VoIP provider will do. Getting a brand new Canadian phone number from your selected provider will be the easiest, and you can be all set up in minutes (if you use a software phone). Most providers will also support porting your existing Canadian phone number from a non-VoIP provider (takes a little longer to set up due to paperwork/authorization to port; may incur extra fees).
I don't want to recommend specific providers, but you can easily find lists by searching.
You can also use a traditional phone via a hardware adaptor or an actual IP phone (connects through ethernet) if you find it cumbersome to use your PC for phoning.
The VoIP providers don't require that you use the service from within Canada. In some cases it might be easier if you use a Canadian physical address (which can get registered as the 911 location for the phone number) and/or a Canadian credit card.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:45
CeladaCelada
20217
Good to know. I saw that list earlier but it was not clear at all that they did not have to be tied to a physical address. I won't have a computer usually, so I would need the adapter. What is that called?
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:13
That is called an ATA.
– chx
Mar 12 '16 at 21:45
add a comment |
There is one more option which is not covered by the other two valid answers but is the one I chose to go with in the end, so it may help others too.
There is a device called MagicJack which interfaces with a wired network via Ethernet or USB and has a telephone port. It acts as an end-point for VoIP calls. The nice thing about it is that it provides an end-to-end service. You pay a fee (currently $39 USD + shipping) and get the device plus one year service which includes unlimited calls to Canada and the US for a whole year. There is a $10 anual fee to get a Canadian or US number. Following that, it cost $36 USD per year or $120 for 5 yrs.
This is cheaper than regular Canadian VoIP provides but more expensive than Anveo, unless you truly use the line a lot. With MagicJack, the cost is fixed, so no need to worry about budgeting. After looking into this for a while, I discovered a number of family and friends which were all very happy with it.
answered May 7 '16 at 22:59
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
MagicJack actually seems more expensive than both of the examples in the accepted answer unless you use the service a lot. For example, taking current rates from the other example above (voip.ms is a "regular" VoIP provider AFAIK), you pay a fixed charge of $0.85*12 = US$10.20/year for a Canadian phone number, plus $0.0090/min of usage. If we handwave away shipping+taxes and you pay $35/year for MagicJack, you'd still need to use your MagicJack for at least (35-10.20)/0.0090 = 2700 min/year = ~46 hours/year = 3.8 hours/month to come out ahead. But you're right that some may prefer fixed cost.
– Scott Dudley
Apr 3 '17 at 13:38
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "273"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2ftravel.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f65132%2fhow-to-have-a-canadian-phone-number-which-can-forward-calls-to-a-number-abroad%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Not quite sure why would you need a special device. Anveo (which I use) or voip.ms and a VoIP app on your smartphone/tablet/laptop (I am using Zoiper) will do just fine. A Canadian number costs less than two dollars.
I use this setup both inside and outside of Canada and it works.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:43
chxchx
39.1k485195
That is interesting. I'll take a look, if it works with a smartphone, then that's the device and I'm OK with that :)
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:10
1
This answer gave me some good hints and with some research figured out some details. I'm inclined to accept it but it would be nice if you filled out the implied bits: That an existing device can be used if there is an app which supports the same protocol (IAX, SIP, possibly others?) as the phone-number/service provider. Maybe cover a few of the protocols if they have differences in support, coverage, availability.
– Itai
Apr 6 '16 at 13:43
And how is that travel subreddit :) ? There not that many SMS receive capable VoIP providers neither there are many VoIP apps on Android so the space to research is small. I gave you my recommendation what else should I do?
– chx
May 8 '16 at 0:20
add a comment |
Not quite sure why would you need a special device. Anveo (which I use) or voip.ms and a VoIP app on your smartphone/tablet/laptop (I am using Zoiper) will do just fine. A Canadian number costs less than two dollars.
I use this setup both inside and outside of Canada and it works.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:43
chxchx
39.1k485195
That is interesting. I'll take a look, if it works with a smartphone, then that's the device and I'm OK with that :)
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:10
1
This answer gave me some good hints and with some research figured out some details. I'm inclined to accept it but it would be nice if you filled out the implied bits: That an existing device can be used if there is an app which supports the same protocol (IAX, SIP, possibly others?) as the phone-number/service provider. Maybe cover a few of the protocols if they have differences in support, coverage, availability.
– Itai
Apr 6 '16 at 13:43
And how is that travel subreddit :) ? There not that many SMS receive capable VoIP providers neither there are many VoIP apps on Android so the space to research is small. I gave you my recommendation what else should I do?
– chx
May 8 '16 at 0:20
add a comment |
Not quite sure why would you need a special device. Anveo (which I use) or voip.ms and a VoIP app on your smartphone/tablet/laptop (I am using Zoiper) will do just fine. A Canadian number costs less than two dollars.
I use this setup both inside and outside of Canada and it works.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:43
chxchx
39.1k485195
Not quite sure why would you need a special device. Anveo (which I use) or voip.ms and a VoIP app on your smartphone/tablet/laptop (I am using Zoiper) will do just fine. A Canadian number costs less than two dollars.
I use this setup both inside and outside of Canada and it works.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:43
chxchx
39.1k485195
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:43
chxchx
39.1k485195
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:43
chxchx
39.1k485195
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:43
chxchx
39.1k485195
39.1k485195
That is interesting. I'll take a look, if it works with a smartphone, then that's the device and I'm OK with that :)
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:10
1
This answer gave me some good hints and with some research figured out some details. I'm inclined to accept it but it would be nice if you filled out the implied bits: That an existing device can be used if there is an app which supports the same protocol (IAX, SIP, possibly others?) as the phone-number/service provider. Maybe cover a few of the protocols if they have differences in support, coverage, availability.
– Itai
Apr 6 '16 at 13:43
And how is that travel subreddit :) ? There not that many SMS receive capable VoIP providers neither there are many VoIP apps on Android so the space to research is small. I gave you my recommendation what else should I do?
– chx
May 8 '16 at 0:20
add a comment |
That is interesting. I'll take a look, if it works with a smartphone, then that's the device and I'm OK with that :)
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:10
1
This answer gave me some good hints and with some research figured out some details. I'm inclined to accept it but it would be nice if you filled out the implied bits: That an existing device can be used if there is an app which supports the same protocol (IAX, SIP, possibly others?) as the phone-number/service provider. Maybe cover a few of the protocols if they have differences in support, coverage, availability.
– Itai
Apr 6 '16 at 13:43
And how is that travel subreddit :) ? There not that many SMS receive capable VoIP providers neither there are many VoIP apps on Android so the space to research is small. I gave you my recommendation what else should I do?
– chx
May 8 '16 at 0:20
That is interesting. I'll take a look, if it works with a smartphone, then that's the device and I'm OK with that :)
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:10
That is interesting. I'll take a look, if it works with a smartphone, then that's the device and I'm OK with that :)
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:10
1
1
This answer gave me some good hints and with some research figured out some details. I'm inclined to accept it but it would be nice if you filled out the implied bits: That an existing device can be used if there is an app which supports the same protocol (IAX, SIP, possibly others?) as the phone-number/service provider. Maybe cover a few of the protocols if they have differences in support, coverage, availability.
– Itai
Apr 6 '16 at 13:43
This answer gave me some good hints and with some research figured out some details. I'm inclined to accept it but it would be nice if you filled out the implied bits: That an existing device can be used if there is an app which supports the same protocol (IAX, SIP, possibly others?) as the phone-number/service provider. Maybe cover a few of the protocols if they have differences in support, coverage, availability.
– Itai
Apr 6 '16 at 13:43
And how is that travel subreddit :) ? There not that many SMS receive capable VoIP providers neither there are many VoIP apps on Android so the space to research is small. I gave you my recommendation what else should I do?
– chx
May 8 '16 at 0:20
And how is that travel subreddit :) ? There not that many SMS receive capable VoIP providers neither there are many VoIP apps on Android so the space to research is small. I gave you my recommendation what else should I do?
– chx
May 8 '16 at 0:20
add a comment |
Sure, any Canadian VoIP provider will do. Getting a brand new Canadian phone number from your selected provider will be the easiest, and you can be all set up in minutes (if you use a software phone). Most providers will also support porting your existing Canadian phone number from a non-VoIP provider (takes a little longer to set up due to paperwork/authorization to port; may incur extra fees).
I don't want to recommend specific providers, but you can easily find lists by searching.
You can also use a traditional phone via a hardware adaptor or an actual IP phone (connects through ethernet) if you find it cumbersome to use your PC for phoning.
The VoIP providers don't require that you use the service from within Canada. In some cases it might be easier if you use a Canadian physical address (which can get registered as the 911 location for the phone number) and/or a Canadian credit card.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:45
CeladaCelada
20217
Good to know. I saw that list earlier but it was not clear at all that they did not have to be tied to a physical address. I won't have a computer usually, so I would need the adapter. What is that called?
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:13
That is called an ATA.
– chx
Mar 12 '16 at 21:45
add a comment |
Sure, any Canadian VoIP provider will do. Getting a brand new Canadian phone number from your selected provider will be the easiest, and you can be all set up in minutes (if you use a software phone). Most providers will also support porting your existing Canadian phone number from a non-VoIP provider (takes a little longer to set up due to paperwork/authorization to port; may incur extra fees).
I don't want to recommend specific providers, but you can easily find lists by searching.
You can also use a traditional phone via a hardware adaptor or an actual IP phone (connects through ethernet) if you find it cumbersome to use your PC for phoning.
The VoIP providers don't require that you use the service from within Canada. In some cases it might be easier if you use a Canadian physical address (which can get registered as the 911 location for the phone number) and/or a Canadian credit card.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:45
CeladaCelada
20217
Good to know. I saw that list earlier but it was not clear at all that they did not have to be tied to a physical address. I won't have a computer usually, so I would need the adapter. What is that called?
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:13
That is called an ATA.
– chx
Mar 12 '16 at 21:45
add a comment |
Sure, any Canadian VoIP provider will do. Getting a brand new Canadian phone number from your selected provider will be the easiest, and you can be all set up in minutes (if you use a software phone). Most providers will also support porting your existing Canadian phone number from a non-VoIP provider (takes a little longer to set up due to paperwork/authorization to port; may incur extra fees).
I don't want to recommend specific providers, but you can easily find lists by searching.
You can also use a traditional phone via a hardware adaptor or an actual IP phone (connects through ethernet) if you find it cumbersome to use your PC for phoning.
The VoIP providers don't require that you use the service from within Canada. In some cases it might be easier if you use a Canadian physical address (which can get registered as the 911 location for the phone number) and/or a Canadian credit card.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:45
CeladaCelada
20217
Sure, any Canadian VoIP provider will do. Getting a brand new Canadian phone number from your selected provider will be the easiest, and you can be all set up in minutes (if you use a software phone). Most providers will also support porting your existing Canadian phone number from a non-VoIP provider (takes a little longer to set up due to paperwork/authorization to port; may incur extra fees).
I don't want to recommend specific providers, but you can easily find lists by searching.
You can also use a traditional phone via a hardware adaptor or an actual IP phone (connects through ethernet) if you find it cumbersome to use your PC for phoning.
The VoIP providers don't require that you use the service from within Canada. In some cases it might be easier if you use a Canadian physical address (which can get registered as the 911 location for the phone number) and/or a Canadian credit card.
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:45
CeladaCelada
20217
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:45
CeladaCelada
20217
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:45
CeladaCelada
20217
answered Mar 12 '16 at 16:45
CeladaCelada
20217
20217
Good to know. I saw that list earlier but it was not clear at all that they did not have to be tied to a physical address. I won't have a computer usually, so I would need the adapter. What is that called?
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:13
That is called an ATA.
– chx
Mar 12 '16 at 21:45
add a comment |
Good to know. I saw that list earlier but it was not clear at all that they did not have to be tied to a physical address. I won't have a computer usually, so I would need the adapter. What is that called?
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:13
That is called an ATA.
– chx
Mar 12 '16 at 21:45
Good to know. I saw that list earlier but it was not clear at all that they did not have to be tied to a physical address. I won't have a computer usually, so I would need the adapter. What is that called?
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:13
Good to know. I saw that list earlier but it was not clear at all that they did not have to be tied to a physical address. I won't have a computer usually, so I would need the adapter. What is that called?
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:13
That is called an ATA.
– chx
Mar 12 '16 at 21:45
That is called an ATA.
– chx
Mar 12 '16 at 21:45
add a comment |
There is one more option which is not covered by the other two valid answers but is the one I chose to go with in the end, so it may help others too.
There is a device called MagicJack which interfaces with a wired network via Ethernet or USB and has a telephone port. It acts as an end-point for VoIP calls. The nice thing about it is that it provides an end-to-end service. You pay a fee (currently $39 USD + shipping) and get the device plus one year service which includes unlimited calls to Canada and the US for a whole year. There is a $10 anual fee to get a Canadian or US number. Following that, it cost $36 USD per year or $120 for 5 yrs.
This is cheaper than regular Canadian VoIP provides but more expensive than Anveo, unless you truly use the line a lot. With MagicJack, the cost is fixed, so no need to worry about budgeting. After looking into this for a while, I discovered a number of family and friends which were all very happy with it.
answered May 7 '16 at 22:59
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
MagicJack actually seems more expensive than both of the examples in the accepted answer unless you use the service a lot. For example, taking current rates from the other example above (voip.ms is a "regular" VoIP provider AFAIK), you pay a fixed charge of $0.85*12 = US$10.20/year for a Canadian phone number, plus $0.0090/min of usage. If we handwave away shipping+taxes and you pay $35/year for MagicJack, you'd still need to use your MagicJack for at least (35-10.20)/0.0090 = 2700 min/year = ~46 hours/year = 3.8 hours/month to come out ahead. But you're right that some may prefer fixed cost.
– Scott Dudley
Apr 3 '17 at 13:38
add a comment |
There is one more option which is not covered by the other two valid answers but is the one I chose to go with in the end, so it may help others too.
There is a device called MagicJack which interfaces with a wired network via Ethernet or USB and has a telephone port. It acts as an end-point for VoIP calls. The nice thing about it is that it provides an end-to-end service. You pay a fee (currently $39 USD + shipping) and get the device plus one year service which includes unlimited calls to Canada and the US for a whole year. There is a $10 anual fee to get a Canadian or US number. Following that, it cost $36 USD per year or $120 for 5 yrs.
This is cheaper than regular Canadian VoIP provides but more expensive than Anveo, unless you truly use the line a lot. With MagicJack, the cost is fixed, so no need to worry about budgeting. After looking into this for a while, I discovered a number of family and friends which were all very happy with it.
answered May 7 '16 at 22:59
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
MagicJack actually seems more expensive than both of the examples in the accepted answer unless you use the service a lot. For example, taking current rates from the other example above (voip.ms is a "regular" VoIP provider AFAIK), you pay a fixed charge of $0.85*12 = US$10.20/year for a Canadian phone number, plus $0.0090/min of usage. If we handwave away shipping+taxes and you pay $35/year for MagicJack, you'd still need to use your MagicJack for at least (35-10.20)/0.0090 = 2700 min/year = ~46 hours/year = 3.8 hours/month to come out ahead. But you're right that some may prefer fixed cost.
– Scott Dudley
Apr 3 '17 at 13:38
add a comment |
There is one more option which is not covered by the other two valid answers but is the one I chose to go with in the end, so it may help others too.
There is a device called MagicJack which interfaces with a wired network via Ethernet or USB and has a telephone port. It acts as an end-point for VoIP calls. The nice thing about it is that it provides an end-to-end service. You pay a fee (currently $39 USD + shipping) and get the device plus one year service which includes unlimited calls to Canada and the US for a whole year. There is a $10 anual fee to get a Canadian or US number. Following that, it cost $36 USD per year or $120 for 5 yrs.
This is cheaper than regular Canadian VoIP provides but more expensive than Anveo, unless you truly use the line a lot. With MagicJack, the cost is fixed, so no need to worry about budgeting. After looking into this for a while, I discovered a number of family and friends which were all very happy with it.
answered May 7 '16 at 22:59
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
There is one more option which is not covered by the other two valid answers but is the one I chose to go with in the end, so it may help others too.
There is a device called MagicJack which interfaces with a wired network via Ethernet or USB and has a telephone port. It acts as an end-point for VoIP calls. The nice thing about it is that it provides an end-to-end service. You pay a fee (currently $39 USD + shipping) and get the device plus one year service which includes unlimited calls to Canada and the US for a whole year. There is a $10 anual fee to get a Canadian or US number. Following that, it cost $36 USD per year or $120 for 5 yrs.
This is cheaper than regular Canadian VoIP provides but more expensive than Anveo, unless you truly use the line a lot. With MagicJack, the cost is fixed, so no need to worry about budgeting. After looking into this for a while, I discovered a number of family and friends which were all very happy with it.
answered May 7 '16 at 22:59
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
answered May 7 '16 at 22:59
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
answered May 7 '16 at 22:59
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
answered May 7 '16 at 22:59
ItaiItai
30.2k972160
30.2k972160
MagicJack actually seems more expensive than both of the examples in the accepted answer unless you use the service a lot. For example, taking current rates from the other example above (voip.ms is a "regular" VoIP provider AFAIK), you pay a fixed charge of $0.85*12 = US$10.20/year for a Canadian phone number, plus $0.0090/min of usage. If we handwave away shipping+taxes and you pay $35/year for MagicJack, you'd still need to use your MagicJack for at least (35-10.20)/0.0090 = 2700 min/year = ~46 hours/year = 3.8 hours/month to come out ahead. But you're right that some may prefer fixed cost.
– Scott Dudley
Apr 3 '17 at 13:38
add a comment |
MagicJack actually seems more expensive than both of the examples in the accepted answer unless you use the service a lot. For example, taking current rates from the other example above (voip.ms is a "regular" VoIP provider AFAIK), you pay a fixed charge of $0.85*12 = US$10.20/year for a Canadian phone number, plus $0.0090/min of usage. If we handwave away shipping+taxes and you pay $35/year for MagicJack, you'd still need to use your MagicJack for at least (35-10.20)/0.0090 = 2700 min/year = ~46 hours/year = 3.8 hours/month to come out ahead. But you're right that some may prefer fixed cost.
– Scott Dudley
Apr 3 '17 at 13:38
MagicJack actually seems more expensive than both of the examples in the accepted answer unless you use the service a lot. For example, taking current rates from the other example above (voip.ms is a "regular" VoIP provider AFAIK), you pay a fixed charge of $0.85*12 = US$10.20/year for a Canadian phone number, plus $0.0090/min of usage. If we handwave away shipping+taxes and you pay $35/year for MagicJack, you'd still need to use your MagicJack for at least (35-10.20)/0.0090 = 2700 min/year = ~46 hours/year = 3.8 hours/month to come out ahead. But you're right that some may prefer fixed cost.
– Scott Dudley
Apr 3 '17 at 13:38
MagicJack actually seems more expensive than both of the examples in the accepted answer unless you use the service a lot. For example, taking current rates from the other example above (voip.ms is a "regular" VoIP provider AFAIK), you pay a fixed charge of $0.85*12 = US$10.20/year for a Canadian phone number, plus $0.0090/min of usage. If we handwave away shipping+taxes and you pay $35/year for MagicJack, you'd still need to use your MagicJack for at least (35-10.20)/0.0090 = 2700 min/year = ~46 hours/year = 3.8 hours/month to come out ahead. But you're right that some may prefer fixed cost.
– Scott Dudley
Apr 3 '17 at 13:38
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Travel Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2ftravel.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f65132%2fhow-to-have-a-canadian-phone-number-which-can-forward-calls-to-a-number-abroad%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
2
Is an equivalent of SkypeIn acceptable?
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 12 '16 at 16:42
@JonathanReez - Not sure how that woks. Can it call to a phone? I rarely travel with a computer.
– Itai
Mar 12 '16 at 18:09
The reference to long-term travel makes this sound more like a question for Expatriates than here.
– David Richerby
Mar 13 '16 at 4:13
@DavidRicherby - My intuition is that the difference is that travel is to keep moving while expats for for people moving to a new country.
– Itai
Mar 13 '16 at 17:47