-No Longer Works- Free Home Phone

[@keithfrasier]

I have used this exact setup for a few years and have made or received over 10,000 calls 99% error free. You did an excellent job explaining how to set it up!

[@lazellekeith8025]

Man...I've been trying to put this together for about 3hrs... I look at your video and I was done it 10mins! Great job! going to get the Fax setup now!

[@xr500t]

You need to update the phone answering machine issue as it has been solved: Obi was informed of the issue and issued new Firm Ware fix to address the issue, by applying firmware v5804 (or later).

[@taniajoseph820]

I did have some of the same connections you had with your setup. I’m only on day one, so we will see what happens. Thank you for the virtual assist.

[@ozzieo5899]

hey.. just FYI you can allow Google to use your home phone answering machine instead of google's voice mail.. go into your actual google voice settings (not from OBi).. click on he burger on the top left hand corner , click on "‪Legacy Google Voice" then change your setting in there as needed. hope this helps.

[@robertcook2680]

I set up my Polycom Obi 202 and when call my home phone, the answering function on the home phone answers. It does NOT go to Google Voice. This has to do with how many rings you have each device/service set to ring before sending calls to voicemail. My home phone/answering machine picks up after fewer rings than my Google Voice number does. I think this can be adjusted so the calls will go to your preferred voice mail.

[@This_Account]

2023 Important update: OBi200 series is in end of life ending Dec. 18th 2023. OBi300 series, according to amazon reviews, uses a similar setup process, but the Google Voice account needs to be a paid subscription.

[@pjmtts]

Click the upper left menu to access “legacy google voice “ within the old settings you can disable the voicemail and allow the phone to answer when you want.

[@anthonycarpenter5411]

I just tried to do that. If you could reply back and let me know how specifically, that would be great. I know software changes over time. Hopefully, it can still be done. Thank you

[@Lovecraft530]

Would love some videos on building / setting up a home server.

[@KevinBrookhouser]

THank you for sharing your whole process, including the troubleshooting. Great overview.

[@johna1857]

Nice explanation, wondering...did you ever try checking your speed connection through network internet setting? Network status is very powerful tool I'm sure you know how to do it.

[@campbejouc]

very good overview. One question in an old house w/about 10 analog landline phones - wouldn't patching the Obi into the phone line as in any dual jack/splitter -wouldn't that enable the whole array of phones to work as good as one? Wow the Obi know it was the one downstairs, attic, garage and so on? thanks

[@Mark.Watson]

Yes you can do that. Be sure to disconnect the phone company service at the network interface device (usually outside) first and tag it so nobody reconnects it.

[@ascotell]

No problems at all setting mine up. This service works great!

[@32_Ronin]

Thanks for the videos, I enjoy your videos and I hope you start pushing more informative videos much more frequently. Your patch panel videos helped me do my job out here in Iraq!

[@funstuff5760]

When you setup a google voice account, are you selecting WEB?

[@5500rpmvtecpower]

Anyone find out more on this? Is it web?

[@wmmarquez]

download the google voice app on your cellphone and you can setup there

[@scopes20]

Is there not an option to change the ring time on the Obi device? As long as it was set higher than the ring time on the cordless handset the voicemail should be left on the phone.

[@BudgetNerd]

That is a good idea! I will look in to that and reply!

[@salmercado1628]

I agree

[@wiliamhazzard9780]

Mine seems to work as described but getting it to connect initially can be frustrating. I got mine to run a fax machine and have a phone to use if I can not find my cell phone.

[@fk319fk]

I spent a bit more. I have a full PBX, $200, in my house with a mix of VoIP, $80-$150, and POTS, $100, phones. I pay $4/month plus 1c/min outgoing, incoming and 800 numbers are free. I pay less than $5/month. I have reasons I went this way, but end the end I found this to be effective and cheap.

[@stevew5146]

Great narrative abilities

[@artmorehouse4391]

Thank you for this excellent video. I already have an OBI 200 DEVICE running with a Google Voice account. I was able to port my longtime phone number to my Google Voice account so the change is invisible to people calling me. I was able to continue using my free-standing message center by setting the number of rings on my Google Voice to a greater number that the number of rings set up on my freestanding message center. Messages only go to my Google email if I am already on the line when someone tries to call. So it is possible to use your freestanding message center as long as it gives you the option to set the number of rings before it picks up.

[@Danielm316]

Hi thanks for the video so do you get a free phone number after the set up and aftee that you do t have to pay nothing else monthly or yearly right?

[@BudgetNerd]

Phone number didn't cost anything. No costs after that.

[@lextacy2008]

Its great that you only buy the equipment and get the service for free, but who is actually providing the PSTN service that google forwards?

[@j.z.3104]

Enjoyed your video but no mention of fax. I didn't notice a second ethernet port to accommodate one. Please advice, thanks so much

[@lextacy2008]

@Greg Co obi202 has 2 lines , obi300x has only one line

[@gsndisney9828]

Is it possible to have multiple phones setup around the house using an obi-200

[@shill6693]

Used your video as a set-up guide. Worked perfectly! Thanks!

[@5500rpmvtecpower]

Did you select web on setup page for a normal home phone?

[@josephtriunfante1384]

i noticed that this video is a bit old but im sure its not that old. anyway its oct. 2020 and i am having the same problem that you had. my phone can not connect. the light indicator have been off for some time now. im actually starting to pack this thing and return it but your video kind of made me hesitant of doing so. any advice on what i should do to get this thing started? will there be a dial tone before test or does that comes later? help me out as i am getting frustrated with it. thanks! btw im setting this up for the first time.

[@djtoo7]

I have used google voice for years for crags list and other stuff, is there a way to turn off press 1 to answer???

[@renelewis4558]

Thank you for the video, it was very informative. I just setup one and it works great.

[@joannknorr5329]

can I use UBI with an AGPtek phone . this phone does not have a power cord. I will have a voip line through computer only. My phone has to hardwired for work

[@thetylife]

I finally set up my obi200 after purchasing it for almost a year...Procrastination......Now they came out with a obi202...but I don't really need 2 lines anyway. I replaced my Ooma with it which had served me well for many years...It's supposedly free but I still have to pay a monthly tax on it...When I first started using it years ago the tax was about about $3.25 a month...now it's up to over $6 and it will just keep getting higher, and it does add up. So I finally got the Obi set up...I first had to transfer my Ooma home # to a "tracfone" then port it back to the obi...a bit of a hassle but its alright...I seems to be working fine now. I just don't like the phone answering saying "google voice" and telling them to state their name when someone calls....I need to figure out how to get rid of that..Let me know if you can tell me how.

[@BudgetNerd]

I was told by a dude in a comment that you can set the phone's answering machine to answer before Google voice does. Haven't tried it, but sounds like it would work. Then Google voice's answering service could never get the call.

[@Mark.Watson]

Go to your Google Voice page. Click the "gear" (top right) to enter Settings. Go to the Calls tab (left side). Scroll down to Screen Calls and turn it off.

[@MH-mb1nz]

How do you get a local number?

[@nbarrager]

I'm pretty sure my friend got an OBI200 from his ISP for his (unused) VOIP service. Just with stickers from the company

[@ge3466]

PSA ....set your phone's answering machine to record "before" your phones' 3rd or 4th ring. Then your home answering machine should pick up and a message can be left. GV's voicemail is set to engage after 26 seconds of phone ringing i believe. The trick is to let your own answering machine intercept it first.

[@pjmtts]

G E click the upper left menu to access “legacy google voice “ within the old settings you can disable the voicemail and allow the phone to answer when you want.

[@ge3466]

@@pjmtts I do not think that setting is there any longer, If you find it please let us know exactly where it is.

[@pjmtts]

G E oh well crap. It seems they have removed several things since last I looked.

[@RobTesnear]

Do I need this device if I have and Android phone with wifi calling?

[@BudgetNerd]

No

[@kpdvw]

how many phones can be connected to the OBIHAi device?

[@BudgetNerd]

This model, only one, but they do have other models that can support more.

[@paulk468]

needed info for wifi setup so will keep looking

[@jesusweptiwept1]

On the 'This Is What You'll Need'(#4) section you mentioned that one will need 'High-Speed Internet.' Obviously, I have the internet but I don't know if it's high speed or not. I get the cheapo, $5.00 a month type. Would this device work on my system? Do you have any thoughts about that for me? Thank you in advance.

[@BudgetNerd]

Anything over 10Mbps should work, but more is better. Just a guess though.

[@pujabakshi9849]

I did as you said but mine says registration not required first and then it changes to connection failed 403 forbidden for the configuring step

[@eleenilagan]

Same here it says Registration not required and i see no lit on the OB box for phone.. any fix here?

[@josephduray6331]

I have a vintage phone I would like to use. Does this setup work with 'pulse' dialing, or only with 'tone?'

[@BudgetNerd]

Not sure about the details you mention, but their website says it does work with analog phones.

[@thetylife]

I saw a video saying it works with touch tone only.

[@minwade5436]

Thank you for great info in plain English

[@fredcameron1590]

I don't know how to tap up my call time. Please help I am running low. I was able to do it on the phone, until recently, thanks buddy

[@nasease3790]

Hi nice video, so question if I set up m ohai202 with an Obihai desk phone and linked 2 different google v numbers to it, what number (s) will show up on the obi device rj11 jacks ? Thank you

[@steventaylor2174]

Enjoyed your video, clear and concise, unlike alot of others, question of you don't mind, can you access your google voice mails from your obi connected phone. You just saved me from buying a phone with answering machine built-in, so thank you. Keep in mind I'm new to using both youtube and voip, actually tech stuff in general , so information would be appreciated. Thanks Steven

[@BudgetNerd]

Thanks. Good question. Can you check your messages if you call your own phone number from it? I don't really use the phone that often.

[@TomokoAbe_]

Free sounds very appealing, but you DO need a reliable high-speed Internet service. Be mindful if you decide to severe your landline, you may never get it back. You also do NOT have 911 access with Google Voice or OBi200. However, OBi200 series will offer a service that provides 911 access which is about $40 a year. Still, that's only $3.33 a month. Like most of us we have a cell phone, so you do have 911 access with that. IF you decide to port your old landline number with Google voice, it will not work. So you have to port it to a mobile device -- then from that mobile device to Google voice. Your phone service may get interrupted for a few business days. ALl you need it Mobile-T sims card start up (you don't need to buy a phone), and buy a half hour worth of talk time. The Mobile-T sims startup card is $10. There is a one-time charge of $20 for the porting process.

[@sport016]

I buy it but I can't receive call without the voice mail and ask me a password that obi and when I try to call on my cellphone I can't ask me password I read on Google to turn off the gvmail but the option is not there even my pc

[@ErraticHail]

What do you mean by high speed internet? Probably low latency but what's the bandwidth requirement?

[@BudgetNerd]

Didn't ever see an actual spec on it, but as long as you have 10Mbps or better, you should be fine.

[@schlomoshekelstein908]

@@BudgetNerd well fuck I only have 3mbps...

[@truckerscott5465]

does then OBi100 still work with the service?

[@josecandelario284]

Thanks for the Vid, Budget Nerd! Questions: will this setup work connecting the OBi200 via a google mesh point? And, I have a cordless phone with 2 extra handsets, will the same connection work on these two handsets?

[@BudgetNerd]

The obihai requires a wired Ethernet connection if I recall. This particular model only supports one handset, but there are other models that support more, if I'm remembering correctly. :) Been a while...

[@aperson1181]

Is there any security concern in connecting Obi with you google account, since yo provide your credentials to a 3rd (Obi) company?

[@BudgetNerd]

I wouldn't there would be any more security concerns beyond sharing any account info with google. On the other hand, these companies do not seem to take privacy very seriously these days.

[@Lcab-bh3wx]

Good review and honestly.

[@msa_0619]

Hey DudeYes I would like to know if I can used the phone jack in my house with one of VoIp box so I can have phone in my home without used Corliss phone have comcast internet one of the shitty cable modem & have a network switch tooI'm calling from Houston Tx oh keep up the good work on your video on here tooCould you tell me why KZbin is changing that layout on here.

[@TheLindabolin]

wow,,looks so easy,,now how can i get one.?

[@conniepetty5894]

I set up the OBi200 & can place calls but my phone doesn't ring. I have emailed their support several times with no help. I hope you can help me because I'm so frustrated & will send it back very soon if I cant get it to work properly.

[@BudgetNerd]

Yeah support for a setup like this is going to be very limited. I would double check the settings in obihais site and Google's site. Not sure if you've googled it either. Is the phone getting calls, but just making no sound? Do you have another phone to try it with? You could remove all the equipment from the account, and start the setup for the beginning.. Hard to say for sure.

[@github24Yt17]

Hello sir, My ISP has no VOIP service, So should i still install this device and use the Telephone ??? Please help me !!! Thanks in advance...

[@BudgetNerd]

It is its own VoIP service. You're not utilizing your isp for anything other than it's internet connection.

[@github24Yt17]

@@BudgetNerd Thanku so much sir and by the way how much the device costs in USD? nowdays!!!!

[@virtualwhispers]

I seen it on Amazon for around 149.00

[@HONOKAAHAWAII-JERK-WATER-USA]

HI, GREAT VIDEO. MAN MONTHS AGO, I BOUGHT THE THE TOP OF THE LINE OBI, NATURALLY, IT WOULD NOT WORK WITH THE EXPENSIVE CISCO PHONE I BOUGHT. RETURNED THAT DEVICE, GOT LOST IN THE MAIL, NO STUCK WITH THAT BILL FOREVER. :-( THAT PHONE HAD NO 48 VOLT POWER PACK. TOSSED IT IN A CLOSET. BOUGHT ANOTHER CISCO PHONE. NO POWER PACK EITHER. BOUGHT A POWER PACK. WAS NOT IN ANY RUSH TO HOOK IT UP AFTER I BOUGHT THE OBI 200 DEVICE. NOW I SEE I COULD HAVE USED A REGULAR PHONE TO HOOK UP TO THE OBI 200. EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP REAL NICE ON THE OBI AND THE CISCO, THAT'S ABOUT IT. I HAVE A GOOGLE VOICE ACCOUNT AND A OBI TALK ACCOUNT. I HAVE A FEELING I'M GOING TO BE SCRATCHING MY HEAD A LONG TIME ON THIS ONE.

[@HarpsGames]

Can it be any model or just the obi200

[@BudgetNerd]

Several different models should pull this off.

[@mitchellarmstrong3759]

Can you setup more than one of those on one account ?

[@BudgetNerd]

Yes I'm sure you can.

[@mitchellarmstrong3759]

@@BudgetNerd I sure hope so. I have alot of old phones i'd like to put back in service

[@kuyavenzinfovlog]

is it onetime payment only buddy?

[@zerksyt7548]

Will it work with an ip voip phone

[@Codemeister101]

Could I use this for faxing?

[@BudgetNerd]

Pretty sure you could, with the right config. The obihai box says it supports it.

[@frempongadarkwa2232]

Greg Co but obihai302 does not support google voice

[@im2crafty]

u did not address porting.

[@BudgetNerd]

I was setting up a new number, so it wasn't a concern for me.

[@charlsseal7273]

@@BudgetNerd how did you get new number, what number shows up on out going calls? I get 000000000 when I make out going call? Also how do I use google voice for incoming calls?

[@nood1ez]

this was a really good video and funny lol

[@r.yvonnewalker8247]

Will this work with a Voip phone, let's say Avaya 9504?

[@rexy_1000]

It will work if the phone has an adsl port that plugs into the obi device.

[@ngboeing4113]

Is it still work

[@BudgetNerd]

Yes works great!!

[@wiziek]

Google Voice seems free only in America?

[@cryptclown]

damn it.

[@ethan1970]

Us lucky Americans.

[@5500rpmvtecpower]

Does this work in EU? I'm from Ireland. Please answer. Thank you

[@virtualwhispers]

USA only

[@5500rpmvtecpower]

@@virtualwhispers thank you

[@davidkelly3572]

Very nice. Thanks.

[@subhassdath6505]

when anyone try calling me on the obi200/google voice it say say your name and google voice will connect you. is this normal? the phone start ringing like a normal phone

[@writingelephant2491]

That is a Google setting. Go into Google Legacy settings

[@KR0tG5fk]

Will it work with Xfinity?

[@softnest]

Yes. Any internet service providers will work. I have been using a Google Voice number with OBiTALK for over five years. Just pay for a one time OBiTALK device.

[@TomokoAbe_]

IF you have a internet package and decide to drop the phone, your ISP may incur additional fees because the phone is no longer part of the package.

[@BudgetNerd]

This isn't a setup or service from my ISP. I'm not paying anyone for this. All it needs is some internet connection. So if I cancel my internet plan, it will just stop working.

[@helenmurphy3143]

HO DO I GET IT, DO IT HAVE OPERATOR AND 911

[@shiningprince]

Good videos but it would be much less tiring if you created an error free version.

[@gkoleey3592]

Please say it is only for the US in your title like this " STOP PAYING FOR YOUR HOME PHONE IN THE US" before anyone who do not live in the US spends time on it. Thanks

[@5500rpmvtecpower]

Well said so take I take it doesn't work in EU?

[@johnstancliff7328]

this service seems to no longer be supported by Google..... Mine won't even connect anymore...

[@iceman382]

Has anyone been able to get their phone answering machine to work with Google Voice, instead of messages going to Google Voice mailbox? Are there settings in Google Voice to set number of rings? Anyone port their T Mobile LineLink number to Google Voice?

[@paulb329]

I had a message saying: “REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED” but is not saying “CONNECTED”

[@michaelwright1602]

One thing I just learned on the OBi200, when the power goes out, at least in my case, I had to reset the system. So... I just ordered a small back up battery power supply to keep this from happening again. Other than that, I love the free landline and would recommend the OBi200 to anyone looking to cut their monthly bills.

[@TheLindabolin]

Please tell me,,everything i see has been really ,getting so sick,,thank u so much,my zipcode is 29702..

[@SHERARLUCK]

no matter what i do, i cannot get the obi200 to receive incoming calls. don't know why. obitalk is no help. this is day 4 of trying to figure this out. if i can't, back it goes.

[@BudgetNerd]

You can make calls just fine? Have you removed the obi device from your obi account and added it again? Are there settings within Google voice that are preventing it from working?

[@SHERARLUCK]

@@BudgetNerd I don't know. I've tried whatever they've told me to do 3 times. still doesn't work. giving it back and getting a magic jack.

[@mele2259]

Can you fax with that

[@BudgetNerd]

It says you can

[@amazontamba1501]

its not working for me

[@AerialDronePhotography]

I'm all for doing things ourselves and saving money, but I still put a price on my privacy. Google people! Google! Do you think it's just possible that they are storing all of your calls? Come-on, use your head. Some could care less, but everyone else better think about the price you're paying for a "Free" service. I know it feels good to be making all of those "free" calls, but you are paying for them whether you think so or not. While you're at it, why don't you give some of your DNA to 23&Me?

[@mgtowp.l.7756]

Too Bad It Don't Work In Canada..

[@TerraKiev]

I happily used for 3 years this service. Called my mom from New York to Kyiv Ukraine ...but it's not working anymore :(( I don't know why

[@Ncloud]

You probably need money in your Google voice account

[@JoMama55824]

Why not just get an ooma?

[@dennisliu86]

Ooma charges taxes and fees every month, while Google Voice has no fees or taxes. Keep in mind you cannot make emergency calls with Google Voice.

[@rollercoaster55]

Dude, you've got a large router and you're doing tech videos calling yourself Budget Nerd and you couldn't wait until you had a stable internet connection to do the video?

[@xiliev5247]

Nice :)

[@Kilroy_5150]

Too bad the service shut down a few years after.

[@tomjones2348]

As soon as I start hearing the "mood music", I'm gone. Just give me the facts.

[@BudgetNerd]

But how do I set the mood then?

[@REXXSEVEN]

@@BudgetNerd LMAO!!!!!

[@philais]

I just use one of my old non simm card phones that hooks to my wifi, down load Talkatone with free phone number and be done with it... $0 cost

[@jamesebola1250]

Every time I call my phone company to cancel service and do this, they give it to me for free, I only pay for DSL.

[@thetylife]

How is this possible? What state do you live in? What speed do you get on DSL? How much are you paying for it? DSL is very limiting as it utilizes your telephone landline to deliver the service. I remember when I had a normal land telephone line we still have to pay over $50 even when we hardly used it....mostly on taxes/surcharges/ ..and other fees...etc...It's total BS.My guess is it's more like you're paying for the phone service and they throw in the DSL for free to keep you as a customer. Regardless I think it's better to get Fios or cable internet even if you have to pay more than you are now...where you can achieve much higher speeds .And then get an Obi where it's a FREE phone service . I had been telling my sister in law to do this ...They're paying like $55 for a landline, and like $30 for their slowass DSL on top of that....They are getting like 5 mbps DL wired, and 2.5 mbps wi-fi at best....A lot of times she has trouble streaming on her ipad. I am paying for Fios $80/ month for 100mbps DL and UL( I can get GB internet , that's close to 1000mbps for $20 more but I'm satisfied with what I have now)....and my home phone is FREE...So I'm actually paying less than what she is for infinitely better and faster internet speed.

[@jamesebola1250]

@@thetylife Consider yourself lucky. Many people don't have a choice based on where they live. Some land line phone companies get a "monopoly" and keep all others out. Luckily today we have cell phones too. I wish there was more competition. That always results in lower prices for the consumer. In NC I lived under the tyranny of Time Warner, the only game in town. My bill was going up monthly, for no apparent reason.

[@thetylife]

@@jamesebola1250 Yes I know.. tell me about it...I had TWC (now Spectrum in NY) too before we finally got Fios in our area. That was my only option too, and their service was total crap. I paid an extra $10 for "enhanced speed" then I found out the crap modem they gave me does not go up to the speed that they promised. I was just telling someone else here Fios isn't available everywhere...my in laws who lives 10 blocks away from me doesn't get it...Their options are Spectrum and Verizon DSL.

[@rickygrand1405]

Not free, you are paying fees and taxes. I thought so too. Than I found fcc , 911, phone structure, and taxes that added up to $9.95. Check it out.

[@gamepad3173]

this is perfect for taking business calls,and luckily I've got an old corded phone dating back to the 80's,in fact I'd have to help my family set up their phones as well.

[@ngboeing4113]

Google did some thing to stop it

[@ウィンディアス]

Moral of the story: you have shitty internet

[@mikefarmer2121]

Geez, get FIOS, NEVER an internet problem, except wifi in my man cave. Think this will work on an old pay phone? or with a splitter for 2-3 phones????

[@thetylife]

It works on any old phone ...cordless or not...but it has to be touch tone, not those really old dial tone ones. I don't know about the the splitter, The obi200 is only for one line, if you want 2 lines ..get the newer obi202. Yes I have Fios and it's great but it's not available everywhere. Edit: I didn't realized you said pay phone? lol What is this thing you speak of? I don't think you can set up an Obi or google voice on a pay phone.

[@MONNIEHOLT]

Great video, my wife has her phone number, I have mine, my son, and daughter have there own too, we couldn’t call each other, entail we set up the speed dial, now if I want to call someone on one of the other phones, like my son it’s 2 # and it works perfect, you only have to do this if all the phones are on the same IP address like ours, anyone in the house can use there own phone to receive and make call as normal hope the help someone if they have more than one obi on one IP address

[@helenmurphy3143]

CAN I GET KZbin

[@mama9048]

I paid £15 UK for my Linksys PAP2. Way better than Google voice.