This doesn't really apply to the rental side of business as we have a separate cell phone number and cell phone for the rentals.

For hubby's biz I got a free Google Voice number back in 2016. Well along the way, the settings would fritz out and there was basically zero support. Google would monkey with the voice settings and then I'd have to go back in and change stuff.

So I went to Ooma instead porting that number out to said Ooma. HUGE mistake! I lost SMS capabilities and everything was a paid for add on.

So I ported back to GV. Only problem is it became a PAID for Google Workspace account (fomerly known as Gsuite). Ok I would put up with the paid account for better support. Got it.

BUT WAIT there's MORE. Along the way paid for Google voice aka Google Workspace stopped supporting Obihai boxes SO I can no longer make outbound phone calls on my analogue desk phone hooked using my GV number that I ported.

I CAN make outbound calls on the fax line using my analogue desk phone. I have a voip number specifically dedicated for faxes with my ISP. Believe it or not, due to encryption issues/privacy/security, people are going back to using faxes instead of emails.

I will also add that we live in a "ditch" that doesn't get good cell service no matter the carrier so we have a wifi booster.

AND i refuse to pay an extra $50 monthly for a land line. AND I don't need yet ANOTHER phone number!

Should I ditch my obihai/analogue desk phone in the hopes that Google Workspace Voice will support a VOIP phone such as a newer Polycon?

Or should I just continue to make outbound calls on the fax line when someone says "I can't hear you" on the cell and we need to call them back? Which happens rarely I might add.

I dont' want to get yet another GV number b/c all of hubby's biz cards, signage have the clever one I picked out in 2016.

I think I just answered my own question. Even if I did upgrade to a new VOIP deskphone, GV Workspace would not support it unless I also upgrade my GV subscription from "Starter" to Standard or Premier.

I have had a google voice line since about 2017, no cost to this day, at one time I knew how to save the unkind calls to a mp3 file and play in court with a generic music player, I have not been very computer savvy like that about 3 years, I need to relearn some of this, thanx for the reminder

I already use my cell phone with the GV app to receive calls. It is my main device, however I'd like to make outbound calls on my desk phone from time to time using the GV number--can only do this under the "free" version (for now). Been doing that since 2016.

I also know how to use voice.google.com and check security. I also logged into my obihai box and updated the firmware which wasn't necessary b/c it had the most recent version. I did assign it a static IP in my router, however.

Anyway the upshot is:

1. I'm not going to get another "free" GV number, I like the one I already have and ported.

2. Beware of Ooma

3. I won't pay extra for a land line or upgrade to Google Voice "Standard" or "Premier" don't want the extra fees and enough $$ goes to Google as it is.

Maple,

Whew! So much to digest.

Our GV is free, works great. We mostly use it for texting but we can text from the desktop keyboard.

Would a pre-paid phone for $30/month help?

MY solution at MY biz? We don't answer the phone. No need for 2 phones.

If I want to call a res I tap the GV app on my phone and dial out. They see the GV number, not my personal number. One phone, one charger. Simple.

BRAD