Help: President Of Company Needs Global Coverage

[DRNewcomb]

Originally Posted by MATHA531

much to my horror the 2 calls I made were billed for 5 minute each even though all I waited for was the voice mail message...one was billed at 1103 and the other was billed at 1105 but they were each billed for 5 minutes each

I had a similar experience where one of my first calls was like one monute but billed for 25. I contacted VoiceStick and they credited the call back. This happens because of how their switch works. I was told that their system would be upgraded soon to prevent this but ITMT just let them know of this sort of problem.

[Bruce_Nicklin]

Originally Posted by DRNewcomb

Bruce,
I'm one of the people who have been talkig about VoiceStick. I've been very happy with the service, but seldom actually use the USB device. My major suggestion is that you don't screw up a good thing. After that, it might be good if the I2Bridge dialthru would recognize more than just one incoming phone number.

I've used VoiceStick with my PC at WiFi hotspots and hotels. I've forwarded my US cell phone to my VoiceStick number and then forwarded that number in turn to phones overseas. I've used the voicemail-to-e-mail feature.

Two possibilities to consider would be to either allow configuration of the forwarding and other functions via WAP or a small, secure J2ME Java aplet. This would make it easier for the highly mobile bunch to make changes while on the move.

Sorry for my delay in responding. I have been on the move. Moved from Calif. to Atlanta, so have been rather distracted.

As to the i2bridge. It is a great thing to have for cell phone calls. Often I hear of huge international rates to call from the USA. There are several "dial around" options, such as using long distance cards or call backs.

But our Voicestick bridge seems to be the quickest way to go "off the cell network" in that most just put there number in speed dial on their cell phone and upon hitting one button they get our VOIP dial tone. No pin numbers, no call backs an such.

And from all the chatter I hear, we have very low rates to most countries, and we also offer the unlimited global plan that allows calling to about 40 countries. It is $25 a month.

The WHY in why we don't offer several numbers to be done inside our bridge is to limit abuse. Seems VOIP companies are sitting ducks for abuse (I could write a book). We allow unlimited minutes with YOUR phone, but not unlimited minutes with several phones. It is the only way we can do a program like this.

So if you want several cell phones to have bridge access, you will need several accounts. We do offer a free "Next 2 Nothing" plan that is a pay per minute plan that has bridge access.

I also might want to mention that we have offered the bridge as a free option for over a year. In Sept. we will begin charging new customers for this service. It is planed to be $5 a month. If you sign up now we will continue to offer existing customers a free bridge for a while longer.

We bear costs to provided the bridge (termination costs) and we are looking to have the $5 meet the cost of providing this awesome feature.

If anyone has a question for me, please post it or email me at bnicklin@i2telecom.com
Voicestick

[Stu]

When I first looked at the websites, I thought that the TyTN may only do 1900mhz UMTs. For Japan and Korea, you need 2100mhz UMTs.

After digging further, it appears to be a triband UMTs phone as well.

http://www.windowsfordevices.com/art...589578688.html

Cool -- sect band/dual mode (trimode if you count wifi). I bought an E61 for Blackberry compatibility. Cingular has a great international Blackberry plan, but when my time is up in Dubai, I will look at that phone or its sucessor.

Edit: I just noted that another HTC phone was incorrectly listed in some literature as triband UMTs when it was only compatible with 2100mhz UMTs.

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/10/h...stomers-fuming/

I would triple check this fact.

Stu

PS: You might want to toss a Skype account on the phone with 10 euros as well. That way, we also has coverage on wifi accounts. Just a thought.

[Bruce_Nicklin]

Originally Posted by andy

I think it's effectively the same as a calling card with a registered caller ID

Andy, you are right.

I was a consumer before taking this job. I was using a company called Wildgate that has a card that you can record your phone number into and then when you call there is no need to put in so 20 digit PIN number.

I was looking for anyplace that had this type feature, yet offered an unlimited plan. I did my searching and that is how I found VoiceStick.

Bruce

[Bossman]

Originally Posted by snidely

A couple weeks ago I was having a few calls (that lasted 1 to 15 min) billed for 120 min. each! These are calls sent to a Costa Rica mobile. I guess all calls are cut off automatically after 2 hrs.
They did, when pointed out, give immediate credit for the whole call - even tho I told them the approx. length of each call.

...mike

I know this was discussed above, but just to warn you to keep an eye on your call records or have enough funds in your account to cover these mistakes. I made a couple of test calls yesterday and today to my voicestick number (forwarded to my GlobalSim). Each of the calls lasted a few seconds, but I was billed for 5 minutes on each of them. I emailed Cust. Service. and they credited my account right away.

I hope they get this thing fixed soon though.

[Bruce_Nicklin]

Originally Posted by Bossman

I know this was discussed above, but just to warn you to keep an eye on your call records or have enough funds in your account to cover these mistakes. I made a couple of test calls yesterday and today to my voicestick number (forwarded to my GlobalSim). Each of the calls lasted a few seconds, but I was billed for 5 minutes on each of them. I emailed Cust. Service. and they credited my account right away.

I hope they get this thing fixed soon though.

I think that the issue is more common for all Telco's then is known. It ALWAYS pays to take a close look at the bills. I just was on the phone with my cell company yesterday. A $68 over bill.

If anyone ever has a problem with VoiceStick that does not get resolved, let me know.

Again, thanks to every one up in the groups, it is a learning experience.

[money69]

I have also had some of the common issues discussed on here with Voicestick such as the 120minute billing for a call that was much shorter. i have called and e-mail but have recieved no credit. Everyone with voicestick should watch their bill like a hawk and in my case they dont seem to anxious to fix it.

[andy]

Did you try forcing the call to hang up with ##

[Bruce_Nicklin]

Originally Posted by Stu

This is the best response I can offer:

Cingular v. T-Mobile

My opinion Cingular v. T-Mobile is based on many factors. First, I have both SIM cards at my disposal. I have a Cingular on its International Blackberry Plan. My wife has a T-Mobile SIM. We are Americans, but she is based in Dubai and I go back and forth. In the last year, we have collectively been in the US, Canada, Guatamala, Belize, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Oman, Hong Kong, the UAE, Macau, and Mainland China. I have also had Cingular?s international division concede the point to me, but I?m sure that it wasn?t official.

Here is a link to Cingular?s global roaming page.

http://www.cingular.com/media/roaming_gen#country


Here is a link to T-Mobiles:

http://www.t-mobile.com/International/Roam...b_RoamWorldwide

You might be able to get printed brochures at company stores with the full list.

The Nokia E61

It is Symbian, not Windows. I suggested the phone because of its multiple bands and connectivity. Also, it has built in VOIP which can prove helpful as well.

Countries Discussed


Problem Countries Listed.

South Korea. South Korea doesn?t use GSM. You need a 3g phone like the Nokia E61. According to GSM World, neither South Korean provider has declared any roaming agreements. Donald Newcomb who is a regular to this forum has managed to use his phone in Korea and will probably be able to explain whether the the statements on GSM World are correct. By the way, I?m reading from:

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_kr.shtml

GSM World is the GSM umbrella organization.

Dubai. I?m surprised about his comments on the UAE. I am there so much that I signed up for their E-Pass so that I don?t? have to go through customs. My E61 works there easily on data and voice. Sometimes, Cingular takes a couple of hours to register on Etisilat.

Nepal. A year and a half ago when I researched Nepal, they had almost no roaming agreements. I?d be shocked if they had any data services.. According to their filing with gsmworld.com.

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/ser_npnt.shtml
Neither Nepalese carrier lists roaming agreements with the US, but they do list roaming agreements with O2 and Vodafone in the UK.,

Tibet

China Mobile has a tiny amount of coverage in Tibet:

http://www.gsmworld.com/cgi-bin/ni_map.pl?cc=cn&net=ct

02 out of the UK is the only listed roaming partner of China Mobile. I can?t believe that, but that is what I read on the GSMWorld website I couldn?t turn up a China Unicom map.


Why I Mentioned England

02 out of the UK has the most extensive roaming agreements in the world. At least that is my opinion. I was suggesting that you might want to have your UK office obtain a UK SIM for your president as a backup. It is the gold standard. If need be, you can get a US number which will call forward to the UK number.

As a matter of fact, a call forwarding number might be perfect for this guy. That way, if he has any problems, someone back in the states can reset the number to ring on the backup SIM. Call forwarding his Cingular SIM will only work if he is able to get it active on the network.

You can get an 02 SIM with international roaming active from mobal.com, but they mark up the prices significantly. If you have a presence in the UK, get a UK SIM through your UK office. A good call forwarding number to a UK mobile is from voicestick.com. Not only are the rates reasonable, but the service connects quickly. It also places a recording saying "please wait while I connect your call." Since there is sometimes a small delay before connecting to a roaming mobile, this lets the caller know to be patient a second or two longer.

Stu, and I should mention that we just did a major upgrade of the UK route, placing a biggier, faster Cisco Gateway into NY where the major UK connection is. Should make UK calling better.

[MATHA531]

Bruce....

Have you solved the problem of being charged for a 5 minute call when somebody calls and leaves a quick message on voice mail? Unfortunately didn't use your services on my last trip but if what you're saying is true, that would be great.