I hope this technology solution never goes away but I’ve been using Google Voice to make FREE outbound phone calls on my Android smart phone!
My mobile plan has free incoming minutes so technically I don’t use any minutes on my mobile phone plan minutes.
My outbound voice calls are using my data plan which is based on data throughput not minutes!
Google has a great overview and instructions here: http://www.google.com/mobile/voice/
Supported phone operating systems are: Android, Blackberry and iPhone. I have only tested and used Android.
Quick Overview
Basically what you do is get a free Google Voice account with a phone number in your local area code.
Next you install the Google Voice App on your phone and in your application settings tell your phone to use Google Voice for all your outgoing phone calls.
Next contact your mobile phone provider and change your plan to “free incoming minutes.”
Now your incoming calls are free and your outgoing calls are free!
More Detailed Steps
Let me explain the process in more detail below (you can use any part of this solution or follow along each step):
- Go to http://Google.com/voice and register for a free account. During sign up you’ll be prompted to pick a phone number. I’m told Google has phone numbers in every area code in the US. Most people choose a phone number in the same area code as their current number.
- Next on your Android Smartphone go to the Android Market and download the Google Voice app.
- After installation you’ll need to enter your username/password from step one and then choose to make all outgoing calls using Google voice.
That’s all you can now call anyone and your Android phone will use your data plan (not your minutes) to make your phone call.
NOTE: Be sure to understand your new Google Voice number will be what your callers see as the incoming phone number on their phone. People will answer and say “did you get a new number” and just tell them yes to update their address book. Over time you can transition everyone over to your new Google Voice number vs your mobile phone number.
Other considerations
International calls are NOT free. Rates are very reasonable and comparable to Skype.
To take incoming calls from Google Voice you have to set up your smart phone in the Google Voice settings.
You’ll also want to record your voice mail greeting in Google Voice. I route ALL my calls through Google Voice and use the voicemail features. All my voicemails come to me via email and I have an online call history I can review at anytime!
WiFi problems: A side note I have my phone setup to use WiFi when available. So when I’m at home my phone use’s my Wi-Fi network. So when I make a phone call it’s going out over the Wi-Fi. I’ve had a problem walking out the door getting into my car and losing a call as I drive away and the Wi-Fi goes away. I’m sure over time the software will be updated and it doesn’t happen that often but good to keep in mind!
The BIGGER picture
If you think beyond making free calls with your phone, Google Voice is sooo much more.
I already mentioned your entire call history is stored online so you a search at anytime.
Voicemails are archived and you can forward a voicemail via email
Voicemails are transcribed to text! This is amazing when someone leaves a message and you can read what the voicemail. It’s not perfect but you can understand who called and what they called about.
Free texting! Free phone calls in the US
Let me know if you are using Google Voice now or how it goes after you get this installed and configured. I’ve been using this for a couple of months now and my minutes are way down!
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