Topic Wiki

IF YOUR OBI NEEDS UPDATES SEE HERE

See here for some good tutorials on setting up the Obi.

You can switch your current landline number into a Google Voice account to retain your phone number on a free Obi phone line.
To port your landline to GV:
  • Get ahold of an old Page Plus or Verizon cell phone that isn't being used. Port your existing landline to Page Plus for free through their website.
  • Fill out the port form and put in your landline number and the old PP cell phone's ESN or MEID number (from under the battery) and wait a couple of days for it to go through. You will know that the port is complete, when dialing your landline rings on the cell phone.
  • Once the account is active, buy $10 worth of minutes from PagePlus in order to receive the verification call from GV.
  • Now you can initiate the GV port. It's a good idea to open a new Gmail account. You can then setup all emails that come to that account (all the voicemails notifications) to be forwarded to your main Gmail account. Login to GV from the new account and port in your number. It will cost $20, and you will get an email when the port to GV is complete.
Using the above method will only have incoming Caller ID numbers, not names. If you want names as well, follow these steps:
  • Go to https://www.callcentric.com/, click Products, then click the yellow Get A Number button next to Free Phone Number.
  • Use the tool on the left to pick an area code, then order the number. It doesn’t have to be something memorable, because no one will ever have to dial it.
  • When it asks if you’re in US/Canada, either select Yes to use their E911 service, or No if you want to use something else. Callcentric setup is free, plus $1.50/mo if you want E911 services. See below for more details.
  • After you receive a confirmation email from Callcentric with your new account info, go to obitalk.com, and log into your Obi. Click SP2, scroll down to OBiTALK Compatible Service Providers, then click Next. Follow the prompts to link your Callcentric account. In the box that says Callcentric Number, enter the 1777 number you got in the email. Uncheck Primary Line for Outgoing Calls and 911.
  • Open Google Voice, go into Settings, and add a forwarding phone. Enter the real phone number you got in the email from Callcentric. Google will call it to confirm; it should ring on your Obi. Answer it and enter the code shown by GV.
  • Uncheck forward to Google Chat.
  • Log into your Callcentric account. Click Preferences. Under General, enable Caller ID with name (Inbound calls). (You can also change the maximum call duration, and unlist yourself from the directory).
or this for a $5 one time fee.
https://simonics.com/gw/?promo=nerdvittles


If you’re not using Callcentric, you have to set up SP3 in Obi settings to point to your E911 provider’s account.
E911 providers:
Callcentric$18/year ($1.50/mo) + $1.50 setup
Anveo$15/year
http://www.gv911.com/$12/year
http://www.bulkvs.com/e911.html$8.64/year ($0.72/mo)

If you want the SP2 to ring like the standard US ringtone:
go to obi expert config, then to voice service, select sp2, and change it to this:
X_ServProvProfile B
X_RingProfile   A
X_CodecProfile   A

You can add your CID http://www.listyourself.net/ListYourself/listing.jsp?ID=new
and check your CID http://who.scalling.com/411/

Author Topic: OBi Master Thread  (Read 437670 times)

Offline JunkYardUnz

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1560 on: June 13, 2021, 12:05:35 PM »
I have two Obi devices at different locations. I’m having issues with both of them.

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1561 on: June 13, 2021, 06:05:26 PM »
I've had issues with international calling recently. It's not my Google voice balance
My Tapatalk notifications don't always work.

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1563 on: July 13, 2021, 06:21:49 PM »
Is it still the same to add inbound Caller ID?
  Tried reading the wiki, but not quite sure which service is the free one to be able to get the inbound Caller ID enabled with a number?

 
Quote
Using the above method will only have incoming Caller ID numbers, not names. If you want names as well, follow these steps:
Go to https://www.callcentric.com/, click Products, then click the yellow Get A Number button next to Free Phone Number.
Use the tool on the left to pick an area code, then order the number. It doesn’t have to be something memorable, because no one will ever have to dial it.
When it asks if you’re in US/Canada, either select Yes to use their E911 service, or No if you want to use something else. Callcentric setup is free, plus $1.50/mo if you want E911 services. See below for more details.
After you receive a confirmation email from Callcentric with your new account info, go to obitalk.com, and log into your Obi. Click SP2, scroll down to OBiTALK Compatible Service Providers, then click Next. Follow the prompts to link your Callcentric account. In the box that says Callcentric Number, enter the 1777 number you got in the email. Uncheck Primary Line for Outgoing Calls and 911.
Open Google Voice, go into Settings, and add a forwarding phone. Enter the real phone number you got in the email from Callcentric. Google will call it to confirm; it should ring on your Obi. Answer it and enter the code shown by GV.
Uncheck forward to Google Chat.
Log into your Callcentric account. Click Preferences. Under General, enable Caller ID with name (Inbound calls). (You can also change the maximum call duration, and unlist yourself from the directory).
or this for a $5 one time fee.
https://simonics.com/gw/?promo=nerdvittles

 And what's the Simoniacs?
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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1564 on: July 18, 2021, 11:50:40 AM »
I finally bought an Obi box, and was clueless how to set it up (I still am, sort of).  I didn't want to use any of my existing GV numbers, so I registered a new Gmail account just for this.
After doing that I went to try setting up the GV, but got stuck when it asked me for a forwarding number. I was thinking, isn't that exactly why I bought this obi box, to be doing that very job?! I don't want this number associated with any of my other numbers.  Anyhow, so I stopped the process right there. I only realized later that because I never chose a forwarding number, the new GV number I chose never kept, and the process is back to square one.

So next I registered a new obi account. It asked to link to a GV account, so I put in my new Gmail account. Lo and behold it actually worked, and the phone works for outgoing calls. However, I don't know how to receive calls (caller ID shows "private number" or "anonymous") or dial international. I presume this is because I don't have GV set up. I was surprised this system would work without GV actually at up.

In any case, can someone please guide me how one is supposed to set up the rest?

I need a forwarding number?
I already have a GV linked to my cel.

TIA

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1565 on: July 19, 2021, 01:21:02 PM »
I finally bought an Obi box, and was clueless how to set it up (I still am, sort of).  I didn't want to use any of my existing GV numbers, so I registered a new Gmail account just for this.
After doing that I went to try setting up the GV, but got stuck when it asked me for a forwarding number. I was thinking, isn't that exactly why I bought this obi box, to be doing that very job?! I don't want this number associated with any of my other numbers.  Anyhow, so I stopped the process right there. I only realized later that because I never chose a forwarding number, the new GV number I chose never kept, and the process is back to square one.

So next I registered a new obi account. It asked to link to a GV account, so I put in my new Gmail account. Lo and behold it actually worked, and the phone works for outgoing calls. However, I don't know how to receive calls (caller ID shows "private number" or "anonymous") or dial international. I presume this is because I don't have GV set up. I was surprised this system would work without GV actually at up.

In any case, can someone please guide me how one is supposed to set up the rest?

I need a forwarding number?
I already have a GV linked to my cel.

TIA
You have to set up a forwarding number temporarily until you finish linking it to the obi then you turn it off.
Small people talk about other people.
Average people talk about things
BIG PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IDEAS.

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1566 on: July 19, 2021, 10:06:03 PM »
To add,
The need for the forwarding number is a Google voice thing to fully set up the account and keep your number.
Once you set it up with a forwarding number, as said above, you can take it off.
You can use a number that a different google voice is forwarding to already. It will disconnect it from that account even you set it up with the new one. But one you finished setting up the new one, you can go back and add it back to the old one.

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1567 on: July 20, 2021, 06:49:17 PM »
Can anyone who set up inbound caller id from call centric or the like guide me through? trying to set it up, but instead of me spending hours googling if someone doesn't mind to save me from all that time. Thanks

 Yes one can save all his contacts in his phone book, but wouldn't mind to pay the few dollars to a third party and let all the calls be screened and return with a caller id of whos calling.
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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1568 on: July 21, 2021, 12:38:06 AM »
Can anyone who set up inbound caller id from call centric or the like guide me through? trying to set it up, but instead of me spending hours googling if someone doesn't mind to save me from all that time. Thanks

 Yes one can save all his contacts in his phone book, but wouldn't mind to pay the few dollars to a third party and let all the calls be screened and return with a caller id of whos calling.
Callcentric gives cid
You'd need to route your calls Google > callcentric > obi
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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1569 on: July 21, 2021, 01:11:03 AM »
Callcentric gives cid
You'd need to route your calls Google > callcentric > obi
That much I know. The process of getting a number, which callCentric plan to buy and then have it ring through call centric and obviously ring on my obi.

 Unless I try to call Call centric Tom and see if there's someone to help.
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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1570 on: July 30, 2021, 02:44:42 AM »
That much I know. The process of getting a number, which callCentric plan to buy and then have it ring through call centric and obviously ring on my obi.

 Unless I try to call Call centric Tom and see if there's someone to help.
After shabbes, I'd be willing to hop on a call with you and explain

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1571 on: August 04, 2021, 01:43:57 PM »
From the obitalk website

Quote
Notice to Google Voice users: Google is updating their security protocols that requires a firmware upgrade on your OBi device. In order for you to keep using the service, we will perform a system-wide firmware upgrade to all online devices registered to Google Voice at Thursday 8/5/2021 5:00pm PDT. Please keep your devices online so it can be part of the scheduled upgrade. For the devices that are not online during the upgrade, you will need to manually update the firmware. To do so, please refer to instructions on how to upgrade your firmware to the latest version. You may also start upgrading your firmware before the scheduled upgrade mentioned. Thank you for your cooperation -Team OBiTALK

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1572 on: September 05, 2021, 05:40:10 PM »
I have home service with connectel, the service seems to be down so had the line forwarded to my cell phone till its back up and running. ( It's weird because I can make phone calls, But all incoming calls don't go through.)

 Want to use my OBI202 Box to allow for the kids to be able to use the home phone, and be able to call and reach them when I'm not home.

 Shall I Connect the Internet to the Obi Box and then plug in my home phone into the Obi box, and then forward all calls to that phone number connected to the obi?

   Reason I rather just find an empty phone jack around the home that way I can tap into the phone line, and not have to remove the base off the wall and bring it to my OBI box where I have my internet or a Google WiFi box. ( Here is where a USB
 stick for my Obi box would come in handy.)
  My question is what would that do to my phone service by plugging in my Obi box into my existing phone jack that's empty?

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1573 on: September 05, 2021, 05:42:14 PM »
I have home service with connectel, the service seems to be down so had the line forwarded to my cell phone till its back up and running. ( It's weird because I can make phone calls, But all incoming calls don't go through.)

 Want to use my OBI202 Box to allow for the kids to be able to use the home phone, and be able to call and reach them when I'm not home.

 Shall I Connect the Internet to the Obi Box and then plug in my home phone into the Obi box, and then forward all calls to that phone number connected to the obi?

   Reason I rather just find an empty phone jack around the home that way I can tap into the phone line, and not have to remove the base off the wall and bring it to my OBI box where I have my internet or a Google WiFi box. ( Here is where a USB
 stick for my Obi box would come in handy.)
  My question is what would that do to my phone service by plugging in my Obi box into my existing phone jack that's empty?
@Yisroel Tech @yesitsme and whomever else is active here and can chime in..thanks guys.
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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1574 on: September 06, 2021, 01:07:05 PM »
I have home service with connectel, the service seems to be down so had the line forwarded to my cell phone till its back up and running. ( It's weird because I can make phone calls, But all incoming calls don't go through.)

 Want to use my OBI202 Box to allow for the kids to be able to use the home phone, and be able to call and reach them when I'm not home.

 Shall I Connect the Internet to the Obi Box and then plug in my home phone into the Obi box, and then forward all calls to that phone number connected to the obi?

   Reason I rather just find an empty phone jack around the home that way I can tap into the phone line, and not have to remove the base off the wall and bring it to my OBI box where I have my internet or a Google WiFi box. ( Here is where a USB
 stick for my Obi box would come in handy.)
  My question is what would that do to my phone service by plugging in my Obi box into my existing phone jack that's empty?
For the  Time being I connected my google Voicebox and set up call forwarding to my Google Voice number that way it will ring on my home phone like regular.
 Now my outbound calls are going to be using the Google Voice number though I wouldn't mind using my actual home number which technically works.
  As my outgoing calls work perfectly fine on my device while my incoming calls on my home phone doesn't work so that's why I decided to connect my Obi.

Wonder if there's a way to receive inbound calls using my Google Voice while outbound calls don't use Google Voice and let it use the actual phone.

Only problem with that is how I connect the phone Jack and the wiring?

Would I connect a phone Jack wire into the Obi ibox and then intend empty phone Jack in my home?

Not quite sure what I have to do to get that to work, Or some of the settings on my Obi account?

It's an Obi tool too so I can technically add a second line if that would help it work.
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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1575 on: October 07, 2021, 11:16:02 PM »
https://support.google.com/voice/answer/146391?hl=en&ref_topic=1708439


   When calling my Voicemail from my Obi/Google Voice handset it tells me I have 6 new message's and then when playing each message all I hear is the call details but not the actual message? Any reason for that? While on the Computer i can hear the whole VM, as well as on my android device i can hear the whole Voicemail.
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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1576 on: October 07, 2021, 11:23:22 PM »
https://support.google.com/voice/answer/146391?hl=en&ref_topic=1708439


   When calling my Voicemail from my Obi/Google Voice handset it tells me I have 6 new message's and then when playing each message all I hear is the call details but not the actual message? Any reason for that? While on the Computer i can hear the whole VM, as well as on my android device i can hear the whole Voicemail.
Is this an obi question or Google voice? And when calling from a regular phone it is good?
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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1577 on: November 17, 2021, 09:18:14 PM »
Does anyone know why callers would get "Not a valid number" when calling my obi/gv #? It's not every single time, but pretty often. The phone rings but if no one answers they get that instead of the voicemail message.
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1578 on: March 29, 2022, 09:52:15 PM »
Does anyone know why callers would get "Not a valid number" when calling my obi/gv #? It's not every single time, but pretty often. The phone rings but if no one answers they get that instead of the voicemail message.
I'm still having this issue, if anyone has any insight I'd appreciate it. Just replaced the phone and it didn't help. When I call my google voice #, the obi/phone rings twice and then there's a message "not a valid number" with no way to leave a voicemail. This is an obi200.

TIA
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1579 on: March 29, 2022, 10:50:21 PM »
I'm still having this issue, if anyone has any insight I'd appreciate it. Just replaced the phone and it didn't help. When I call my google voice #, the obi/phone rings twice and then there's a message "not a valid number" with no way to leave a voicemail. This is an obi200.

TIA
Possible that the Obi device has a call forwarding phone number set in it for when no answer after set amount of secs?