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What is VoIP?
Recently, I decided to switch my phone service to VOIP.ms, a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service provider. VoIP is a technology that allows you to make phone calls over the internet rather than through traditional telephone lines. It’s a cost-effective alternative to standard phone services, often offering features like SMS, voicemail, and international calling at lower rates.
The process of porting my number from my previous carrier to VOIP.ms took about two weeks, and I thought I’d share my experience, including a few things I learned along the way. If you’re considering making the switch, these tips might help streamline the process for you!
Porting My Number to VOIP.ms: Lessons Learned
When I initially attempted to port my number, the request was rejected by my previous carrier because I mistakenly provided my phone number as the account number. It turns out that my carrier assigned me a separate account number, which I wasn’t aware of.
VOIP.ms handled the rejection smoothly, but they did inform me that they’re charged by the losing carrier for each failed attempt. So, for the second attempt, they passed on a fee of $8.75. Luckily, the initial attempt didn’t cost anything, so I only had to pay once. To avoid this, I recommend making sure your application is flawless by double-checking your account details.
Pairing VOIP.ms with Zoiper
After successfully porting my number, I decided to pair VOIP.ms with the Zoiper app. Zoiper is a softphone app that allows you to make and receive VoIP calls directly from your phone.
On the first day after the porting process, I noticed that the SMS feature wasn’t immediately available. VOIP.ms customer service informed me that it could take up to 48 hours for the SMS feature to be fully activated. Sure enough, after 48 hours, everything was up and running smoothly. Since then, Zoiper has worked like a charm.
While I’ve seen many recommendations for the Groundwire app on forums like Reddit, I don’t see any reason to switch. Zoiper is free to use and works perfectly for my needs. Groundwire, on the other hand, costs about 11 CAD as of this writing. Zoiper does have a subscription model, but you don’t need to subscribe to anything to use the basic features effectively.
Step-by-Step Guide: How I Set Up VOIP.ms with Zoiper
If you’re looking to pair your VOIP.ms account with Zoiper, here’s a step-by-step guide that will help:
1. Download the Zoiper App: Start by downloading the “Zoiper IAX SIP VOIP Softphone” app from the Play Store (or App Store, if you’re using iOS).
2. Gather Your Credentials: Open the Zoiper app. Here’s where you’ll need your account number and SIP/IAX credentials. Keep in mind: do not use your VOIP.ms login credentials—it won’t work! Plus, you wouldn’t want to share your login info anyway.
• Login to the VOIP.ms customer portal. On the homepage, you’ll find your 6-digit account number. This will serve as your username on the Zoiper app.
• To get your SIP/IAX password, navigate to the “Main Menu” in the top left, click “Account Settings,” and then go to the “Security” tab. Here, you’ll see the option to create a “Main SIP/IAX password.” Make sure to store this password somewhere safe—you’ll probably need it later!
3. Enter the Host Name: Next, go back to the VOIP.ms portal, click on “DID Numbers,” and find your number. On the left side, in the “Actions” section, click the “Edit DID” option (pen and paper icon). Scroll down until you find “DID Point of Presence.” You’ll either need to copy the server’s IP address (e.g., 1111.222.33.44) or the site address (e.g., xxxxx2.voip.ms).
4. Skip Authentication: In Zoiper, when prompted for Authentication, you can skip this step—it’s not required.
5. Protocol Configuration: Zoiper will recommend a protocol configuration for you. Go with their suggestion, and you should be all set!
Conclusion
Switching to VOIP.ms and setting it up with Zoiper was a smooth process once I got past the initial porting hiccup. Since then, everything has been working perfectly, and I couldn’t be happier with the service. If you’re looking to save on phone bills and want a reliable setup, this combination of VOIP.ms and Zoiper is definitely worth considering.
Disclaimer
I am not affiliated with VOIP.ms or Zoiper in any way, nor do I receive any compensation for recommending their services. This blog post is based solely on my personal experience using their products.
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