VOIP call forwarding

[kevii]

Can I ask what the time-frame for this implementation might be?

I like, and I have handed out to everyone, my Exetel VOIP number. But I am on HSPA (because I move around a lot) and it drops out, or my laptop is often off line, or the call quality is unacceptable in some locations.

What I want to do is forward my incoming calls to the landline where I happen to be at the time, and not have to worry about being online to get the call. I have tried forwarding from my end with mixed success. Forwarding from the Exetel end will bypass the HSPA performance issues.

I am quite happy with HSPA so far, but it is obviously not ideal for VOIP.

I will have to make the most of conditions for outgoing calls and so be it.

If we are looking at many weeks, I will need to issue a number from one of the services that offer forwarding. I have accounts with several, including Engin, Pennytel and MyNetFone, but I would prefer my Exetel number to do the job. Especially as I want to resell Exetel to my contacts and included VOIP is a nice feature.

I am happy to alpha or beta test the service. But I really need to know when the service might be provided.

Thanks
Kevin

[raymond]

I published our schedule on the development.

5th February 2009 - 6th February 2009
Start testing for call forward and billing integration. - Done

9th February 2009 - 11th February 2009
Start developing member's facilities to allow VOIP customer to configure this feature and self-manage call forwarding - Pending

[raymond]

VOIP bar incoming call - Do not disrupte has been added.

VOIP call forward function has been added.

[jokiin]

VOIP bar incoming call - Do not disrupte has been added.

VOIP call forward function has been added.

Excellent news

[kevii]

I was about to yell WOO-HOO but thought I should test it first. Bugger! Not working for me.

The best I could get was "the destination is currently unreachable". I tested the landline that I am forwarding to and it is working fine.

I have tried ringing my Exetel DID with my mobile and with MyNetFone with no success. How did you test it?

ALSO, What happens when the forward-to number does not answer? Will it revert to voice mail or is it either/or? One or the other?

Thank you for implementing this so quickly. Hope the bugs are my end. Is there a delay before the foward switches on?

Kevin

[Gidget]

VOIP bar incoming call - Do not disrupte has been added.

VOIP call forward function has been added.

Hi Raymond

I did 3 experiments with these new features (note that VOIP #1 is my mobile VOIP number using the demo ExeVOIP program):

Experiment 1 - both "divert to voicemail" and "call forward" selected

Code: Select all

1)  Left my "divert to voicemail" activated on VOIP number #1
2)  Added my landline number in the "call forward" option
3)  Rang VOIP #1 from VOIP #2
4)  VOIP #1 rang for about 90 seconds (I didn't time this exactly)
5)  Divert to voicemail kicked in - I left a message and received the email

Experiment 2 - only "call forward" selected

Code: Select all

1)  De-selected my "divert to voicemail" option on VOIP number #1
2)  Added my landline number in the "call forward" option
3)  Rang VOIP #1 from VOIP #2
4)  VOIP #1 rang for about 90 seconds (I didn't time this exactly)
5)  After VOIP #1 stopped ringing, VOIP #2 kept on ringing for a while longer but the call was not diverted to my landline

Experiment 3 - both "bar incoming calls" and "call forward" selected

Code: Select all

1)  De-selected my "divert to voicemail" option on VOIP number #1
2)  Selected "bar incoming calls"
3)  Added my landline number in the "call forward" option
4)  Rang VOIP #1 from VOIP #2
5)  Although "bar incoming calls" was selected, VOIP #1 still rang for about 90 seconds (I didn't time this exactly)
6)  After VOIP #1 stopped ringing, VOIP #2 kept on ringing for a while longer but the call was not diverted to my landline

The experiments may have failed because the new ExeVOIP program isn't yet sophisticated enough to handle the new options, but I thought I should let you know the results anyway. I'd be interested to hear feedback from other people testing the new features.

Other comments -
1) VOIP #1 ringing for about 90 seconds before diverting is much too long - most people would have hung up by the time the call diverts
2) I think that if "call forward" is selected, then "divert to email" should be automatically de-selected, and vice versa.

Cheers

Gidget

[JasonM]

Bar incoming calls + Call Forward.
What happens when both are enabled?

I managed to enter a SIP URI in the forward field, curious if this will work!

[Gidget]

Bar incoming calls + Call Forward.
What happens when both are enabled?

See my Experiment 3

Gidget

[JasonM]

All my testing results in "All Circuits Busy Now" message.

I then registered the DID on my ATA, and called - ringing successfully.

I turned on Bar incoming calls - AIl Circuits busy now message -correct.
I disabled Bar Incoming calls, then enabled call divert entering FNN - call still went to ATA.
I enabled Bar Incoming calls - calls barred successfully.

Forwarding doesn't seem to occur for my DID.

[kevii]

Glad it is not just me...

[Gidget]

I know the DID needs to be registered otherwise "divert to voicemail" doesn't work, so I believe the same is probably true of "call forward". I had my VOIP #1 registered in my experiments detailed earlier.

Gidget

[kevii]

By saying "the DID needs to be registered" are you saying that your ATA or softphone needs to be online?

That defeats the whole purpose of voicemail and forwarding, IMHO. I am sure that the forwarding facilities at Engin, Pennytel and MyNetFone work when you are offline, which is just when you need them most.

Or am I blowing smoke?...
Kevin

[bilal]

Immediate observations:
* The UI needs some desperate work.
* [Probably unrelated] Shouldn't there be a way to specify timeout before "does not answer" kicks in?

[Gidget]

By saying "the DID needs to be registered" are you saying that your ATA or softphone needs to be online?

That defeats the whole purpose of voicemail and forwarding, IMHO. I am sure that the forwarding facilities at Engin, Pennytel and MyNetFone work when you are offline, which is just when you need them most.

Or am I blowing smoke?...
Kevin

Hi Kevin

Yes, that is what I'm saying. I know that when I originally tested the "divert to voicemail" option, it did not work unless my DID was registered/online. You should wait for Raymond to respond, though, for a definitive answer regarding both "divert to voicemail" and "call forward".

Gidget

[JasonM]

Immediate observations:
* The UI needs some desperate work.
* [Probably unrelated] Shouldn't there be a way to specify timeout before "does not answer" kicks in?

I thought it was intended to divert calls, unconditionally (regardless of phone / ATA state), so a timeout doesn't really apply.
ATAs have call forwarding abilities built in to some.

What work does the UI need in your opinion?