Steps to do this (port landline to Google Voice):
- Obtain OBI200 get it up and running with existing Google Voice number (my dad's old number)
- Port out landline to cell phone. Required by Google Voice to port in.
- Port cell phone to Google voice to replace old Google Voice number.
- Obtain E911 service on OBI200 through a different service provider.
I'm current at step 1 as I write. I want step 2 to go smoothly.
DONE with all steps as of this morning. Also added another step:
5. Connect OBI with home phone wiring so all phones work seemlessly.
This was slightly painful. Step 1 and 4 were super easy. I had consternation about it, but Polycom/OBIhai make connecting to Google Voice and adding E911 super easy. So we're paying $25 per year for E911 via OBI's default suggested E911 provider, Anveo. Basically, $2 per month.
Step 2 was painful. In the last few years, the number of plans that are cheap and have voice only are going away. T-Mobile used to have PayGo or something like that. Turns out they gave it to Ultra Mobile. You still have to go to a T-Mo store to get this secret Ultra Mobile SIM. It should be something like $13 total to get started, to make your port out easy.
Turns out, the kids at these stores are all confused. I had no luck getting an agent that knew about the Ultra Mobile Paygo. So I then go to the AT&T store to get their prepaid, and mention I want to port from a landline. The kids there say: "Seriously, you can do that? Who even has a landline anyway?"
The upshot is you are probably better off going to some web-only MVNO to get your landline ported to a cheap cell. I thought doing it with in-person help would make it easier. It made it harder. I don't want to drag out the details but it took me a day of running around to get that accomplished.
Step 3 actually took 4 days. It should only take 1. But I think it was because I had an old ported number on my Google Voice account existing. If I were to do this again, I'd transfer that number away (or delete) it first. Don't try to port in over it. I ultimately had to open a ticket with Google to resolve this. Note: if you are porting in over a number given by google voice, it should be easy with no issues.
The good news is that all is working today. Finally.
Oh, and as for step 5... I back-plugged my OBI into my phone jack and it resulted in a dead line. Turns out I had to disconnect the phone connection from Uverse. Even though it was "dead", it was pulling the line down to ground or something. Because of the way the tech backwired my phone from Uverse out to the outside junction box, I had to go outside and on the "consumer side" of the wiring box, make a disconnection. This may be a bit unnerving for many people.
So on goes the odyssey. I'm in the process of totally reworking all my communication and media (cell, landline, television). This takes care of 2 of the 3 items. TV (cut the cord) is next. When I'm done, I'll run an account of all the savings.