Numbers
+1 4123608472 (Pittsburgh PA)
+1 8556829751 (Toll-Free)
+1 9079318802 (Anchorage AK)
Calling my toll-free number should count as a local call for you, but I will be paying based on the origin of the telephone number. In example, someone calling with a 412 number will call at 2¢ per minute, whereas 907 number is 23¢ per minute. With that said, I might offer to call you back. When calling from my home phone, my toll-free number is the number that shows in the caller ID. Supported NANP territories that supports toll-free numbers are as follows:
- American Samoa
- Canada
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- United States of America
- US Virgin Islanads
I also have a Pittsburgh local number. This number is preferred when calling me because there is no incoming call rate. In most cases, this should be a domestic call for you, and shouldn’t cost you any minutes. If your situation is otherwise, then call the toll-free number. If you should have any questions on whether a +1 412 number is domestic or not, then call your carrier. On most cellular phones in the United States, that would be by dialing 611.
I also have an Anchorage Alaskan number for people living in Alaska, they can call me at a much cheaper rate to me than if they were to call my toll-free number. Calling the Alaskan number is 2¢ per minute as opposed to 23¢ per minute for calling the toll-free number. In either instance, if I see a +1 907 telephone number calling me, I will offer to return their call from my cellular phone. If you are unsure if calling Alaska will be a toll charge for you, then I would suggest calling my Pittsburgh number. You can likely dial 611 to speak with customer care about calling numbers.
In addition, if I should decide to get additional telephone numbers (such as an international number), it will be tied to this service. This is because my international numbers are reasonable through this carrier if I should benefit from such a number.
Carriers
I am not going to disclose who my home phone carrier is. This is to make it harder for bad actors to use this information against me. This carrier is very affordable though offering me a number of options. This carrier uses SIP (Session Initiated Protocol) to make the phone calls. This means calls are carried across the internet rather than traditional copper line phone service. Since the calls carry over the internet, I must have an internet connection (1MBPS+, less than 100ms latency) to make/receive the call. Most SIP providers will provide a telephone number – sometimes free, and other times with a cost.
The carrier also supports E911. This will allow emergency services to know the address of the caller. This means if I was to call 911 (Emergency Services), they will have my residential address. I never had to dial 911 for a medical emergency, and if I see me needing to dial 911, I will likely use my cellular phone to make the call.
Devices
The Grandstream WP825 is used to make, and receive calls. This looks like a beefy cordless phone, but this cordless phone uses a Wifi network to connect for calls. This is unlike DECT phones which uses a particular base station. Since the WP825 is a Wifi phone, it would work as long as I am connected to an Internet connected network. This could be from home, a friend’s house, or even a coffee shoppe if that is a sort of thing to do. The phone supports 2.4Ghz, or 5Ghz for Wifi connections.
The phone can also support 2 accounts, but as of now, I only have one account available. As with the cellular phones, I only need one account for my home phone. Since I am using the same SIP provider for all of my home phone numbers, I only need 1 account. As of now, there is no need to have a second SIP account on my phone.
The phone has a dual microphone system for clearer calls, and support for HD voice calls. It also has a 2000mAh battery, and Grandstream claims 8 hours of calls. There is bluetooth support, and a configurable button for various functions. In my case, I used this button to silence the microphone. There is also a 3.5mm earphone jack to make use of a wired set.
The phone has charging pins with a dedicated charger + it has a micro-USB (2.0) port for charging the phone. Either option can be used to charge, but I usually set the phone in its charging base at night before going to bed.
Conclusion
Some people may question having a home phone line. I have the home phone line for flexibility. It allows me to provide a local, and toll-free number for anyone that would need it. Also, if I should choose to no longer disclose my cellular phone, then my home phone might be an option to ring. Obviously, if I am not home, I can’t answer it. In which case, leave a message, and I will call back when I get your voicemail. If you do not leave a message, I am not going to return your call.