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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 460933 times)

Offline Alexsei

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1700 on: June 26, 2024, 03:27:34 PM »
I'm not sure what this link is but after looking around some more, it was simple to switch Google accounts from the Obi dashboard.

What is this link, how do I know it is safe to go downloading....?
Obi dashboard has been discontinued.
This is 3rd party firmware
https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r31792784-Obihai-OBi20x-30x-OBi1000-OBi50x-OBi2000-firmware-mods~start=2580
We have been unburdened by what has been.

Offline Eb228

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1701 on: July 14, 2024, 09:13:24 PM »
I have a Polycom OBI linked with GV.
I haven't used it in a few months. Just re-plugged it in and tried calling, nada.
I can't remember which email the GV is liked to, and honestly think that the number may have been taken away due to lack of use.
When trying to link a new GV # to the OBi, it says I must first unlink the previously linked number - which I can't cause Ihave no clue the account.

Any ideas or did the box become worthless for me?

TIA

Offline yungermanchik

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1702 on: July 14, 2024, 10:30:23 PM »
I have a Polycom OBI linked with GV.
I haven't used it in a few months. Just re-plugged it in and tried calling, nada.
I can't remember which email the GV is liked to, and honestly think that the number may have been taken away due to lack of use.
When trying to link a new GV # to the OBi, it says I must first unlink the previously linked number - which I can't cause Ihave no clue the account.

Any ideas or did the box become worthless for me?

TIA
Search in all your gmail accounts for obitalk. See which one it comes up in.
Small people talk about other people.
Average people talk about things
BIG PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IDEAS.

Offline menachem

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1703 on: September 09, 2024, 08:54:01 PM »
PSA: August 20th, 2024 *** Important notice to OBiTALK customers*** The OBiTALK service has reached it's End of Life period and will be decommissioned as of October 31st, 2024.
More information can be found here:https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_10969583-11049883-16.

@Dan, any input on this for those currently using google voice through obi for their landline phones?

Offline Yo ssi

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1704 on: September 09, 2024, 09:24:13 PM »
@Dan, any input on this for those currently using google voice through obi for their landline phones?
Did ya read it?

Quote
Post October 31st, HP will begin the process of decommissioning the various services supporting the OBiTALK platform. While it is expected that devices will continue to operate with no impact, HP provides no guarantee of a device’s continual configuration after this date. We encourage all customers to make any necessary arrangements before the service is terminated.
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Offline menachem

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1705 on: September 09, 2024, 10:37:59 PM »
Did ya read it?

Yes, I did! Was also posting for others to be informed..
Quote
Post October 31st ... We encourage all customers to make any necessary arrangements before the service is terminated.

Asking @Dan for his professional advise of where to go from here.

Offline Yo ssi

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Offline Alexsei

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1707 on: September 09, 2024, 11:18:35 PM »
Yes, I did! Was also posting for others to be informed..
Asking @Dan for his professional advise of where to go from here.
If you rely on GV for your home phone etc then you should come up with an alternative because Google has no obligation to give notice before they may decide to pull the plug on the obi sip connection.
We have been unburdened by what has been.

Offline menachem

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1708 on: September 09, 2024, 11:44:53 PM »
https://www.google.com/search?q=define+professional+advise
;D
Thanks for your advise. To rephrase, as many of us purchased obi thanks to dan, was wondering what he would advise to be the next best option or what he plans on doing..

If you rely on GV for your home phone etc then you should come up with an alternative because Google has no obligation to give notice before they may decide to pull the plug on the obi sip connection.
Valid point. Ty

Offline Abka

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1709 on: September 17, 2024, 01:48:35 PM »
Chevra,

What are you planning to do with your phone lines running on Obi devices, powered by Google Voice?

I guess MagicJack is a good option for home service. I also use Obihai Desktop phones for my business. Anyone with a good option going forward?

TIA

Offline etech0

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1710 on: September 17, 2024, 01:51:04 PM »
Is there a date when they are supposed to stop working?
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline Yisroel Tech

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1711 on: September 17, 2024, 01:53:33 PM »
Chevra,

What are you planning to do with your phone lines running on Obi devices, powered by Google Voice?

I guess MagicJack is a good option for home service. I also use Obihai Desktop phones for my business. Anyone with a good option going forward?

TIA

Free options there is none.

A relatively cheap option (depending on your usage, though) can be voip.ms (my referral link https://voip.ms/en/invite/MzcwNjYz, get $10 once you add money to the account and place one call)

Offline IloveIsrael

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1712 on: September 17, 2024, 02:24:42 PM »
Free options there is none.

A relatively cheap option (depending on your usage, though) can be voip.ms (my referral link https://voip.ms/en/invite/MzcwNjYz, get $10 once you add money to the account and place one call)
What hardware should I use?

Offline Yisroel Tech

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1713 on: September 17, 2024, 02:45:18 PM »
What hardware should I use?

You can register most SIP/VoIP phones to it (see https://wiki.voip.ms/article/Devices).

I'm not sure about the Obihai Desktop phones though, but if they support regular SIP providers (besides the Google Voice configuration) then it should be possible to make it work.

Offline Yo ssi

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1714 on: September 17, 2024, 04:04:29 PM »
Free options there is none.

A relatively cheap option (depending on your usage, though) can be voip.ms (my referral link https://voip.ms/en/invite/MzcwNjYz, get $10 once you add money to the account and place one call)
At how many minutes per month does it become worth it to use magicjack?
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Offline Yisroel Tech

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1715 on: September 17, 2024, 04:29:13 PM »
At how many minutes per month does it become worth it to use magicjack?

Not sure what magicJack's pricing is, but I mentioned voip.ms for office/desk phones where I don't think magicJack can work at all.

Offline myi

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1716 on: September 18, 2024, 12:25:06 PM »
Free options there is none.

A relatively cheap option (depending on your usage, though) can be voip.ms (my referral link https://voip.ms/en/invite/MzcwNjYz, get $10 once you add money to the account and place one call)
What are you paying for that now and what does it offer? Seems like it works for you.
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Need your LG Exalt fixed? Cracked in half? Water damage? Or parts to repair yourself. 347.201.2501

Offline Yisroel Tech

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1717 on: September 18, 2024, 12:46:05 PM »
What are you paying for that now and what does it offer? Seems like it works for you.

I'm not using it instead of anything, so it's not really applicable to the Obi/Google Voice thing.

I mainly use it to register a VoIP phone and place outbound calls using a verified caller ID number (not a number that is with them). So my only cost is per minute (1 cent per minute).

For replacing Google Voice, it would start with $0.85 a month for the phone number, and then on top of that per minute for incoming and outgoing calls based on your usage.

Offline talmid chuchem

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1718 on: September 22, 2024, 02:58:52 AM »
from where comes this information that GV will stop? you want be able to access the obitalk, but does that mean that GV will stop working on the old devices?

Offline Yisroel Tech

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Re: OBi Master Thread
« Reply #1719 on: September 23, 2024, 12:40:31 PM »
from where comes this information that GV will stop? you want be able to access the obitalk, but does that mean that GV will stop working on the old devices?

That may be the case for the time being (until GV stops it from working, or until you need to reconfigure the GV connection and can't anymore since the OBiTALK is down), but then why were you looking for "good option going forward"? As the old option still works for you for the time being.