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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 355469 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: obi: 911 or no?
« Reply #180 on: December 30, 2011, 01:32:31 PM »
How about in an effort to save lives, you call 911 and when they pick up say ' I'm sorry, I called by mistake' and then hang up?

I doubt you will get in any trouble with the law and you will be doing many a big service!!!
If 911 worked with GV I don't see why it wouldn't work with OBi.
e911 won't work, but 911 should, no?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline zale

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Re: obi: 911 or no?
« Reply #181 on: December 30, 2011, 02:52:14 PM »
If 911 worked with GV I don't see why it wouldn't work with OBi.
e911 won't work, but 911 should, no?

Apparently not.

There is no 911 at all on Google Voice, period.

I found this:

"You acknowledge and understand that Google Voice does NOT currently allow you to access any 911 or similar emergency services (no traditional 911, E911, or similar access to emergency services). You should always have an alternative means of accessing 911 or similar emergency services. Please inform others who use your Google Voice service and devices used to access Google Voice that they must access these numbers directly through a traditional landline or mobile phone. Google Voice is not intended to replace your primary phone service, such as traditional landline or mobile phone."

This is from the T&C as of 2009, but I don't think it has changed.

911 is a location-based service. Calling 911 in NYC is not the same 911 as in Tennessee, Iowa or anywhere else. I believe that Ooma and Vonage make you provide an address when you sign up, so they can therefore provide 911. Google voice is a moving target, and has no registered location.

The only thing you can do is find out the local number to the police station nearest you, and program the obi to call that number via 911.

There is a discussion about this here: https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/account-credit-security-and-privacy/3JPRqwDq7ag

Offline Dan

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Re: obi: 911 or no?
« Reply #182 on: December 30, 2011, 03:11:11 PM »
Looks like you're right, just tried calling 911 and it does not work.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: obi: 911 or no?
« Reply #183 on: December 31, 2011, 07:28:17 PM »
Did you try this? (From the website linked by Dan in the comments to the main article)


Getting Emergency Calling (i.e.: e911) to work (optional)

Fewer do each passing day, but if you still have a regular old POTS line at home (or even an analog telephone adaptor connected to a VoIP service provider that offers E911 such as VoicePulse, Vonage, and cable services such as CableVision, Comcast and Time Warner), and you connect the service to the “Line” port on the OBi, you won’t have to do anything to get emergency calling service. By default, the OBi will send any “911″ call through whatever is connected on its “Line” port. (Note: In many regions within the United States, even a disconnected POTS line may work with 911 calling services — but please check with your local carrier to make sure).

If you don’t have E911 coming into your home, there are several VoIP services available that offer low-cost emergency services calling. One such service is offered by popular pay-as-you-go VoIP provider CallCentric for $1.50 per month (there is also a one-time e911 setup fee). If you sign up for the company’s Pay-Per-Call plan, and fill your account with a minimum of $5, you can add the 911 service and the fee will be deducted from your deposit.

There is a small catch: Unless you have a spare VoIP adaptor to install the Callcentric (or other provider’s) service on (in which case you should simply connect the “Phone” port on the external ATA to the “Line” port on the OBi using a basic telephone cable), you will have to dedicate one of the Service Provider ports (SP1, or most likely, SP2) solely to 911.

To configure it, add the service provider to SP2 using any of the methods illustrated above (OBiTalk, which comes with pre-configuration for 8 service providers, including Callcentric, is the easiest method).

To ensure that 911 calls over the OBi are routed correctly, connect to the device via the built-in configuration tool (point your browser to the OBi’s local IP address) and make a small change to the long dial string setting located at Physical Interfaces/Phone Port/OutboundCallRoute. The default setting is:

{(< #:>|911):li},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(Mpli):pli},{(< **1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(< **2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(< **8:>(Mli)):li},{(< **9:>(Mpp)):pp}
Uncheck the “Default” box on the right, and make the following small change to the long string: Change the first instance of “li” to “sp2″. The result will be this string:

{(< #:>|911):sp2},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(Mpli):pli},{(< **1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(< **2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(< **8:>(Mli)):li},{(< **9:>(Mpp)):pp}
Click “Submit” and “Reboot” the device.

Ideally, we could easily test 911 calling. Unfortunately, ensuring that 911 calling works on your OBi is a bit problematic. Calling 911 as a test is highly frowned upon by emergency service operators, and is even illegal in some states. The only surefire way to test 911 is to call your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number, hope to get someone on the phone that understands what you are trying to accomplish, and schedule a 911 call. It’s a bit of a hassle, but definitely encouraged.

When you’re done, you’ll have a complete phone system, with it’s own phone number(s), free phone calls throughout the US and Canada, voice mail, call forwarding and dozens of other “premium” services, for pennies. And you’ll help speed along the landline’s obsolescence. Good riddance.

Online AsherO

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Re: obi: 911 or no?
« Reply #184 on: December 31, 2011, 07:34:25 PM »
Did you try this? (From the website linked by Dan in the comments to the main article)

FYI, I've seen the info elsewhere online, it's copy/pasted.

Ideally, we could easily test 911 calling. Unfortunately, ensuring that 911 calling works on your OBi is a bit problematic. Calling 911 as a test is highly frowned upon by emergency service operators, and is even illegal in some states. The only surefire way to test 911 is to call your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number, hope to get someone on the phone that understands what you are trying to accomplish, and schedule a 911 call. It’s a bit of a hassle, but definitely encouraged.

Surefire? I highly doubt you can set that up in Brooklyn.
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Offline Alexsei

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #185 on: January 04, 2012, 12:21:06 PM »
@Dan
Hey this is a note i found here: http://nerdvittles.com/?p=720

“You can’t be logged in and also use the OBi110. That’s why we set up a dedicated Google account for this device. Guess what? You’re done.”

is this something anyone has experienced???????
it might be a big issue for me because the gv# im using is associated with the gmail account im logged in all day!!!

Also will it work with jnet? (1. if filter doesent block it. 2. if connection is good enough)
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Offline Alexsei

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #186 on: January 04, 2012, 12:31:26 PM »
Here is a email conversation with obi support
[/size]

Obihai Support Team
12:26 PM (2 minutes ago)

 
Yes, you may.
- Obi Support
 
From: -----------------------------------------------------
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 9:15 AM
To: support@obihai.com
Subject: OBI 110

 
Hi,
 
Can i be logged in on pc with same google account my obi device is using??
 
Thanks

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #187 on: January 04, 2012, 02:23:59 PM »
@Dan
Hey this is a note i found here: http://nerdvittles.com/?p=720

“You can’t be logged in and also use the OBi110. That’s why we set up a dedicated Google account for this device. Guess what? You’re done.”

is this something anyone has experienced???????
it might be a big issue for me because the gv# im using is associated with the gmail account im logged in all day!!!


My Obi works just fine when I'm logged in.

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #188 on: January 05, 2012, 09:30:39 AM »
is it a big deal not having 911 if have a cell ?

Offline Dan

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #189 on: January 05, 2012, 12:18:36 PM »
is it a big deal not having 911 if have a cell ?
I don't think it is, but I've never had to rely on it.  In NYC maybe it's a bigger deal than in Beachwood, OH.
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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #190 on: January 09, 2012, 08:09:32 PM »
has anyone had issues with the caller id? The number shows up by me but it no longer has the name

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Re: Re: OBi 110
« Reply #191 on: January 09, 2012, 08:33:46 PM »
has anyone had issues with the caller id? The number shows up by me but it no longer has the name
Yes I have this issue when I get a phone call I get just the number no name, didn't have a chance to check it out yet.

Offline elikay

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #192 on: January 09, 2012, 08:35:26 PM »
has anyone had issues with the caller id? The number shows up by me but it no longer has the name
Of course not, it is like a cellphone.

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #193 on: January 09, 2012, 08:44:29 PM »
Of course not, it is like a cellphone.

hmmm didn't think of that. o well not such a big deal

Offline Drago

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #194 on: January 26, 2012, 02:48:13 PM »
I read through the thread, and it appears that this will work in Israel, as long as the # is set up in the US.
However, I didn't understand if there may be an issue if my line is Bezek.
Can anyone comment, or tell me if I'm missing s/t?

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #195 on: January 26, 2012, 03:29:47 PM »
I use it on Bezek and it is fine. Netvision is another thing.

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #196 on: January 26, 2012, 04:43:48 PM »
I use it on Bezek and it is fine. Netvision is another thing.
+1

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #197 on: March 04, 2012, 02:53:55 AM »
Has anybody used OBi 110 in Israel with a "HOT" land line for out going calls.?
Regards
Ashley

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #198 on: March 20, 2012, 11:53:10 AM »
So I have a really weird thing with my OBi. It seems like after 2-3mins the call is dropped? (My internet service it TWC)
Anyone experience the same thing?

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Re: OBi 110
« Reply #199 on: March 20, 2012, 04:00:04 PM »
So I have a really weird thing with my OBi. It seems like after 2-3mins the call is dropped? (My internet service it TWC)
Anyone experience the same thing?
seems like my issue is that I wired my obi through my wireless router. does that make sense? Do I need to have the obi attached directly to my modem for it to work?