Gadgetblurb

I have been a Google Voice (GV) user since it was Grand Central back in 2007.  It was a nice idea, yet it had a missing essential component preventing it from really going mainstream — number porting.  That is until now.  Google has finally enabled it’s users the ability to port their cell phone numbers into their Google Voice account (Sorry it does NOT work for home phones).

What is Google Voice?  It is a phone exchange system, which can route calls to any phone number you register with GV.  For instance, if you want to have calls immediately forwarded to your cell, home and work number at the same time, you can do that.  Android and iPhone users have dedicated GV apps that work with your GV number.  Using the GV apps on Android and IOS, you will use the GV dialer and it will route through Google’s servers so that callers will see your GV ID, even though you are using your cell phone.  Be aware, calls will NOT be considered mobile-to-mobile minutes since you are calling a server at Google.  Your cell phone will see it as a land line unfortunately so be careful!  If you have an unlimited calling plan, no worries.

Another very useful feature is the voicemail.  It will allow you to utilize GV as your main voicemail and can alert you to new voicemails via SMS, Email or notifications on Android and iPhone.  One of my favorite features is the transcription service, which basically translates your voicemails to text and includes that text along with the voicemail.  Also, you get free text messages, which for iPhone users, is about $240 per year if you have unlimited texts!

So, how did number porting go?  In a word, smooth.  When you are either signing up for GV or want to change an already existing GV number to your ported cell phone number, you will need to go to Voice settings and then Phone.  It will give you a hyperlink to port your number.  You will need to check about a half dozen disclaimers, and then enter your current cell phone provider’s account number.  It is very easy and took Google exactly 24 hours to complete the process.  Text messages come about 3 days later.  The cost for porting your number to Google is $20.

So, what is the drawback?  If you are still in the middle of your current cell phone contract, it will immediately cancel your current contract and you may be charged early termination fees.  I would suggest calling your wireless provider and explain what you are trying to do.  You may get lucky and have them waive the ETF.  If you were wondering how this works, once you port your number, you will need to re-establish service with a cell phone provider.  Perhaps this is something you can use to persuade them to not charge an ETF.  Another drawback is that it does not do MMS.  It will do SMS, and hopefully Google will enable this functionality soon.  Another thing I will caution you all to: If Google’s service goes down for any reason, you will not be able to receive calls or texts by people calling your GV number.  You can still make calls with your cell, it will just be utilizing the temporary number assigned by your carrier.  So, people who are used to your cell number will not recognize the caller ID when not using GV.

What I like most about GV is that I don’t ever have to port my number again.  It will remain with GV forever and I can just get new cell phone numbers whenever I change providers.  I also like having everything integrated into the GV app; calls, voicemails and text messages.

So, if you are at or near the end of your contract, or just want to give it a try, I do recommend it.

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