Porting a Phone # - cheap providers

Hiya,
I've been using ViaTalk for a while - but I basically stopped using it at home and have just been using a softphone. I just found out it'd cost me over $200 a year to continue, which is not at all worth it for the way I'm using it.

I wonder if there's a service I could get where I could port and keep my incoming phone #? I know Skype won't allow a phone # port, for example. I also wonder if there's a service that is much cheaper?

I may even be able to just let go of the phone # but I still need to be able to make outgoing calls from a softphone. What are SIP/VOIP services I should check out?

thanks in advance,
clark

Hi Clark and welcome to Voipuser

There are literally thousands of prospective providers, here at Voipuser we don't recommend any above any other as to do so would result in a spamfest.

There are a lot listed in the Voip Service Providers stickies at the head of this section of the forum but the best solution is to choose one that provides the level of customer service you require and the best rates for the destination you call most frequently.

Probably that will mean they are based within that same area too (terminating inbound locally is always the most efficient). So it makes it easier to search them out.

Many give a few free calls to try them out, all of them want your business. Just don't sign up with anyone that wants to try to lock you into any 'deal'. Voip is all about freedom of choice and you should have the ability to change providers at any time with no notice if you want to. Better still use three or four of them and choose the one you want to use for each specific call.

clarko :

Hiya, I've been using ViaTalk for a while - but I basically stopped using it at home and have just been using a softphone. I just found out it'd cost me over $200 a year to continue, which is not at all worth it for the way I'm using it. I wonder if there's a service I could get where I could port and keep my incoming phone #? I know Skype won't allow a phone # port, for example. I also wonder if there's a service that is much cheaper? I may even be able to just let go of the phone # but I still need to be able to make outgoing calls from a softphone. What are SIP/VOIP services I should check out? thanks in advance, clark

Hey Clark. Can't help but think you may be a perfect candidate for Magic Jack? As simple (or more so) to use than softphone, just as portable, and WAY less per year then $200. I believe they port phone numbers too. Hope it helps.
-Doug

BTW, I am kind of new to this forum. I see my signature file is not active, and I did not know the policy about posting links, until I clicked over to read the guidelines.

Apparently, links are okay if used for helpful purposes, which I am trying to be. You may find this Magic Jack review helpful.

Best of luck.
-Doug

Sorry Doug we don't permit self promotional advertising and we did already take a look at Magic Jack, for that reason I swapped the link in your post to the link to the Voipuser resource.