If you want to make long cell phone calls for free -
and keep your own number anonymous, this is your guide. This should help you if you want to join one of the conference calls, if you want to have long calls with a sponsor, or if you just want to learn how to send and receive calls for free. Please keep in mind that I'm NOT an expert at this, so this guide is fairly elementary. I'm just throwing out some basic ideas. Feel free to correct me or tell me how awesome you think I am. If you'd like to send me some chocolates or ice cream, even better.
What we're going to do here is combine the power of Google Voice (google.com/voice) with the power of those lists cell phone providers allow you to make of numbers which you can call (and receive calls from) for free. This won't work for everyone, but there's a good chance it will be of some use to you, so read this.
What's google voice?
It's somewhat hard to say, because it does SO MANY things. I'll just mention the important parts. Here's what google says about it: "Google Voice is a service that enhances the existing capabilities of your phone numbers. With it, you can access your voicemail online, read automatic transcriptions of your voicemail, create personalized greetings based on who is calling, make cheap international calls, and more."
Why do we want that?
Well, as of now google voice is completely free for US calls. When you sign up for google voice, you get yourself a new number in the area code of your choice (e.g. (718) 123-4567). You can then set up google voice to forward (redirect) calls you receive at your google voice number to whatever phone number you want. You can use multiple
phone numbers, and you can change these settings at any time in the google voice settings (so if your cell number changes, you just go into your google voice settings and add your new phone number). If you add your google voice number to your list of numbers which you can call for free (how to do this varies by carrier), any time someone calls you on your google voice number your call will be free. You can also place calls to other numbers through google voice. I'll discuss how to do this later.
How do I sign up for google voice?
Currently, google voice is invite only. But don't worry! You just request an invite from them and they'll send it to you pretty quickly. I got mine within 24 hours. Go to google.com/voice and click on "request an invite" at the bottom of the page. When you get the invite email, follow their instructions and open your google voice account. Write down the google voice number you are assigned. You NEED to know this number. You now have a google voice account. You can always access it by going to google.com/voice. You can change settings after logging in by clicking the "settings" button in the top right of the page. Add and confirm your cell phone number. Once you've done that, we need to change one more thing before going to the next step. Go to "settings" and then click on "calls." Where it says "Caller ID (in)," click "Display my Google Voice number." Now go to the bottom of the page and click "save changes." Now if someone were to call your google voice number, your phone would ring and your caller id would show your google voice number (e.g. (718)123-4567). You NEED to do this, otherwise when someone calls your google voice number, that person's
number would show up on your caller id, and your phone carrier would charge you as normal. Once you do this, no matter who calls your google voice number, your google voice number will show up on your caller id (making the calls free, once you do the next step).
Now we want all calls you send/receive through your google voice number to be free. Here's how we can do that. The major US cell providers all offer a service which allows you some kind of list of numbers you can talk with for free. The terms (how many numbers you can put on the list, how much your plan needs to cost for you to qualify, etc.) vary by carrier, so you'll have to look into that on your own. Here's a quick rundown:
Verizon: Friends & Family
(
www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/friendsandfamily.jsp)
T-Mobile: MyFaves
(
www.t-mobile.com/templates/generic.aspx?passet=Pln_Lst_MyFavesLrnDemo)
AT&T: A-list
(
www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-sales/promotion/a-list.jsp)
Sprint: Any Mobile, Anytime
(
anymobile.sprint.com/)
Do whatever you need to do to set this feature up, and then add your google voice number to the list of free numbers. Once your google voice number becomes active on your list (Friends & Family, A-list, Any mobile, myfaves, whatever), calls to and from the google voice number should be free for you (so they won't use up your minutes).
Outgoing calls, and GUE phone conferences:
Google voice allows you to make outgoing calls as well. There is more than one way to do this, but here's the easiet one. Call your own google voice number. Press 2 to place a call. It will connect you. There is a problem here. Due to a technical issue which I won't discuss here (it's complicated), google voice BLOCKS some sex-lines (haha) and other phone conferencing numbers. Here's the deal with the four conference groups:
1) Duvid Chaim's groups number (712-432-0080) is blocked. If you want it to be free, you need to add it to your free list (Friends & Family, A-list, Any mobile, myfaves, whatever). I did that, and it works fine.
2) Boruch's group number (218-844-8230) is also blocked. If you want it to be free, you need to add it to your free list (Friends & Family, A-list, Any mobile, myfaves, whatever).
3) Elya's group number (712-429-0690) WORKS with google voice as of this writing.
4) I can't test this one (Zeva's call) because I'm not on it and it's not free. She probably uses her own conferencing system, so I'd imagine this one works.
You can also use this system to call your sponsor or to have your sponsor call you. Just give out your google voice number instead of your regular cell number.
I think I covered the important points. If you have any questions or need any help, feel free to ask (although I don't guarantee I can help you!). Good luck!!!
Ano ;D
