Existing Landline Number

[STEPHEN BAILEY]

I wish to use the same phone to make VOIP calls AND to continue receiving calls made to my existing landline number.

Does the VOIP hardware I purchase have to include a particular feature in order to do this?

[andyf]

Hi Stephen.

Your VoIP service provider has to have number portability (most have this). This allows them to port your existing landline number to your VoIP service thus ensuring you can make cheap VoIP calls with your VoIP service and still receive regular calls on this number.

What most people do is they order VoIP service and try it out with a new number to make sure they like the service. When you want to make calls just use your VoIP box and phone and at othertimes just use your landline and phone. Once you're happy with the service, get your VoIP provider to port your landline number over and delete the new VoIP number you were testing. Stop your landline service and now everything is VoIP.

If you want to keep both landline and VoIP say for emergency service requirements you could use a device like the Netcomm V300. This gives you the ability to use VoIP but switch over to regular landline at anytime. Most people don't do this though as then you have to keep paying line rental for your landline. Your call though :-)

http://www.cnet.com.au/wireless/rout...0058001,00.htm

Hope this helps.

Andy