How To Get A Free UK or US Number
Where To Get Them
For UK Numbers
SipGate.co.uk
SipGate.co.uk offers 01 or 02 UK geographic phone numbers. Covers almost every
area code in the UK. For a full list of area codes covered, see
here.
You must reside within the UK to sign up for a UK phone number (i.e register
from a British IP address). You can use the X-Lite soft phone to use SIPGate,
or any SIP device or software of your choice.
You can call free to other sipgate users and also other SIPGate partner networks.
You can even call 0800 numbers for free.
Pros:
Works with any SIP device or softphone
Free calls to other IP networks such as FreeWorldDialup, IPTel, SipPhone.com,
IAXTel, Telio.no, Gradwell.com
gossiptel.com, calluk.com
(by dialing a prefix)
Cons:
Must be in the UK to register (or register from a British IP address)
VOIPTalk
Get an 0871 number when you register for a free VOIPTalk account. 0871 numbers
are non-geographic national rate numbers. It costs 8.5 p/minute at any time
to call an 0871 number.
Pros:
Compatible with any SIP device or software
Cons:
Calls to your 0871 number can be expensive
Click
here for more information on VoipTalk 0871
uknumber.co.uk
uknumber.co.uk is a call forwarding service - it provides you with a free
UK number and forwards all calls to that number for free to a landline or mobile
phone in your location of choice. Depending on your selected location, they
allow you to choose from these numbers:
0870 - Cost to caller: 1.5p per min weekend/ 4p
per min evening / 8p per min daytime. Calls made from a mobile phone or payphone
may vary. Routing to landlines only.
070 - Cost to caller: 26p per min, any time, any
day.Routing to mobiles and landlines
0844 - Cost to caller: 5p per min at all times, any
time, any day. Routing to landlines only.
Some of the less popular locations like say, Mongolia, only get the choice
of an 070 number.
You don't need to register, all you have to provide is your diverted to number
(i.e your landline/mobile number). Once you get your number, you must activate
it by making a test call to it within the next week. To keep your number active,
you must use it a least once every 3 months.
Pros:
Neither party has to be online. You can receive calls on your landline
or mobile phone.
Can route calls to landlines and mobiles in a large number of countries
Cons:
The numbers can be expensive for your callers, as they are UK premium rate numbers.
Not easy to change the forwarding destination - you can't do it online, you
have to call their UK number.
Click here to go to uknumber.co.uk
For US Numbers
SipNumber.com, FreeDigits.com
Comes with free 60 minutes of call credit. Calls can be forwarded to a landline,
mobile phone or SIP device / software.
To register, you need to provide a valid e-mail address and choose a password.
You will then recieve an e-mail with your new phone number and account details.
You can then login to your Control Panel, where you can set your Call Forwarding
numbers (up to 2) and check your voicemails, call history, billing history.
You can also check your voicemail via phone by entering your 4-digit PIN.
Settings for your SIP software or device:
Domain Realm: sipnumber.net
Proxy: proxy.sipnumber.net
Outbound Proxy: outbound.sipnumber.net
Stun: stun.sipnumber.net
User ID: [your sipnumber]
Pros:
60 minutes free outbound calling
Can be used with any SIP-compatible device or software
Full-featured account control panel - Can change the forwarding destination
anytime you want for free.
AIM Phone Line
AIM Phone Line is a service provided by AOL. With AIM Phone Line, you get a
free US local number which is diverted to your AOL Instant Messenger. When someone
calls, you can choose to answer the call, or send it to voicemail. The 'send
it to voicemail' action sends the voicemail as an e-mail to you.
The service requires you to register for an AIM screen name if you don't already
have one. And of course, you have to download and install AOL Instant Messenger.
The registration process involves filling in an online form with your First
Name, Last Name and US Zip Code.
You have to receive at least one call on your number every 30 days for the
number to remain active.
To make PC to phone calls, you can sign up for their unlimited PC to phone
calling plan for $9.95 a month. With the plan, you can landline phones in all
major international destinations and even mobile phones (US, Canada, Singapore,
China, Hong Kong) at no extra cost.
I'm not a big fan of AOL (I cancelled their free Internet service after 2 weeks
of using it - you couldn't pay me to use it again!), but this sounds pretty
good, and their outgoing call plan is very attractive.
Pros:
If you're a regular AIM user, this is a great addition
The PC to phone unlimited calling plan is very attractive
Cons:
Proprietary to AOL - You have to run AIM and you can't forward it to a SIP device
or software.
Currently US numbers only
Click here to go to AIM
Phoneline official website
IPKall.com / KallFree.com
IPKall.com gives you a free Washington State phone number and free voicemail.
To use it, you first need to register with FreeWorldDialup (FWD). After receiving
your FWD number, register that number with IPKall. To register with IPKall,
you need a valid e-mail address.
You can choose between these area codes : 206, 253, 360, 425
Accounts that are inactive for 30 days will be terminated.
Pros:
Can be used with any SIP device or software - even MSN Messenger.
Why You Need A Virtual Phone Number
No Computer Or Internet Connection Needed
One primary reason is that the other party doesn't need a computer and Internet
connection to call you. All they have to do is ring your virtual phone number
from a regular phone line, and if you're online, you can talk to them on your
computer, PDA or VOIP phone. Even if you're not online, a lot of these services
provide free voicemail. Some services will even forward the call to your mobile
phone or landline phone - so neither party needs to be online to talk.
Long-Distance For The Price of A Local Call
For example, if your family lives in London, you can get a London incoming
number - so if you're on holiday in Spain, your family back in London only pays
the local rate to call you.
Or, you're in Singapore, and your business partner is in New York. You can
get a New York incoming number so that your business partner doesn't have to
spend a pretty penny on long-distance calls to Singapore.
Use It As A Second (or Third) Phone Line For...
Online Dating and Social Networking Sites
You don't want to give your real home number or cellphone number online. Aside
from pushy telemarketers, you might get the stalkers calling you in the middle
of the night, especially if you're an active in social networking or online
dating sites!
You can even give out this phone number when you're out dating in the real
world - remember, it looks no different from a regular phone number.
Think of it as a throw-away phone number, the equivalent of a throw-away e-mail
address.
Online Auctions and Classifieds
Use your virtual phone number so that viewers of your online auctions or classifieds
can contact you by phone.
Home Based Businesses
If you run a home-based businessm you don't want other members of the family
answering calls from customers and business associates. Use the virtual number
instead on your business card so you can personally answer and screen all calls.
Some services also provide free incoming 0870 or 0871 numbers - this number
makes your business look like it has more national presence, as big companies
often use 0870 numbers for their customer support lines. Of course, with the
free services, you don't get to take part in any revenue sharing that an 0870
number provides.
If you don't have a fax machine, services such as officedigits.com
and faxdigits.com offers free incoming
US fax numbers. Any incoming fax to your virtual fax number will be forwarded
to your e-mail as a PDF file.
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Source: AnotherWayTo.com