Feel free to read our article below on the Dockstar and a Linksys ATA for use with Google Voice. However, there is now a product out that does the basics of what our combination does at a much lower price. It's called the Obi110 or the Obi100 from Obihai. AusTex VoIP sells the Obi telephone adapters and provides a set up service for those that need help with the initial installation. Check out our Google Voice with Obi page here.
Both of the Obi telephone adapters do some pretty amazing things. We're not going to discuss all it can do here, but if you'd like to know more, there are some really good blog posts on the device over at The Michigan Telephone Blog. If all you need is free Google Voice, then go with the Obi100. If you'd like Google Voice, and the ability to hook up and include your regular telephone service at the same time, then choose the Obi110.
Our Dockstar and Linksys ATA combination is still amazing, as it is based on the powerful Asterisk telephony software. It is capable of handling multiple extensions, and VoIP providers, along with Google Voice. Unlike the Obi110, it is a full blown server, however, we believe the majority of consumers are looking for a product with the ease of use of the Obi110.
Original Article:
Let's face it...Google Voice is a cheap way to make phone calls to anywhere in the United States and Canada. By cheap, we mean FREE. The only problem up until now was, you had to:
- Use your computer and a headset to use it
- Call your Google Voice number with a regular phone and then press 2 and dial the 10 digit number, or
- Use the dialer in Gmail (again, using your computer)
Well now, that's changed! AusTex VoIP is offering a Seagate FreeAgent Dockstar and Linksys PAP2T-NA combination that will allow you to use Google Voice with a standard telephone and dial 7 digit local numbers, or 10 and 11 digit long distance numbers direct. Low cost International calling is also available. Make this package a total home solution by adding our optional E911 subscription service!
So what does it take to get this working? For those that are not so technically inclined...quite a bit! What we do here is to modify a Seagate FreeAgent Dockstar network adapter, so that adding a USB Flash thumbdrive with Asterisk telephony software enables this technology to work.
In addition to the Dockstar, you will need a Google Voice account, and an analog telephone adapter. No additional accounts or callback number is required with this version. The configuration in the photo above uses a Linksys PAP2T-NA analog telephone adapter. With this adapter, you can have two telephones hooked up to it, or have a single two line phone hooked up. Both phones, or both lines on the two line phone will ring when receiving an incoming call.
Hook a desk phone to one line, and a cordless base with multiple hand sets to line two, or set up cordless base stations on both lines. With this set up, you can make or receive separate calls on both phones at the same time. Great for families with kids. Will work with iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android smartphone over 3G or Wi-Fi as well.
Add a few bucks to your Google Voice account, and you can call International destinations at very low rates as well. When you dial an International number, a recording will tell you the per minute rate for the call, and based on your account balance, how many minutes you could talk before you go broke.
So, how does zero dollars per month for unlimited U.S and Canada calling sound? We think it sounds pretty good! Because this package is actually a full blown VoIP telephone server in disguise, there are countless possibilities for customization of this system. Give us a call and let us know if we can set up something special just for you.
You can reach us locally at (512) 600-0990, or Toll Free at (855) 4AusTex (428-7839).
While Google Voice does not currently provide E911 or 911 services, we offer E911 as an optional, monthly subscription service which is 100% compliant with the FCC, and covers 100% of the US. You may add this service at anytime.
