VOIPo Connect is Coming

[VOIPoTim]

I went ahead and posted it on DSLR so here it is:

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I probably shouldn't post this because it's still in development, but I'm going to go ahead and do so. Keep in mind this is just the current draft though so none of this is guaranteed.

We're about to launch something called VOIPo Connect which I think will address your concerns. Basically here's what we have in the works:

Dial-In Access Numbers in All Major US/Canadian Cities

Anyone will be able to call in and do the following:

1) Enter a VOIPo phone number (any number on our network including virtual) to connect to a VOIPo user

2) Enter a PIN number to connect to a VOIPo user

3) Enter a Secure Virtual Number (working on the name for this) to connect to a VOIPo user

VOIPo Residential Freedom will be able to call in and do the following:

1) Manage most features like forwarding, etc

2) Dial out via their VOIPo account (mainly meant for international)

3) Access voicemail

What's a PIN Number?

Users will be able to setup 3-9 digit PIN numbers that they can give to people to call them on via the access number instead of giving someone their real phone number. These PIN numbers can be set to expire based on the number of calls or time.

So as an example, you could create a PIN that works for the next 3 days only or that works for the next 2 calls only and give it to someone you're selling something to on Craigslist.

What's a Secure Virtual Number?

This is a virtual number that just like a PIN number can expire based on usage or time automatically. They'll be available for a small one-time fee (likely $0.99). They can be called directly as well as from the access numbers.

Again this is the prototype that's up now, but we're still tweaking it so it may change.

I don't like to announce things until they're done and fully tested, but we're pretty excited about this one.

It's one of a handful of the stuff in the pipeline right now. We just like to test things to make sure they're relatively bug-free before releasing into beta.
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[fisamo]

Tim,

You had to know I'd ask about this, especially given MY post on BBR...

[Here's the thread for those curious: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r218...oking-at-VoIPO ]

Dial-In Access Numbers in All Major US/Canadian Cities

Given the purpose of this service, I presume these dial-in numbers will be well-publicized, right? At a minimum, I presume you'll post a list of them on your website or in a public access forum here. (What you'd do in addition to that minimum, I'm not sure. )

I'd like to add another suggestion for this aspect of the service - a toll-free access number. Voipo users would be able to set up 'chargeback codes' with similar connect and expiration capabilities so that anyone could call the tollfree number to connect with a voipo user. For these calls, a per-minute charge, similar to that of the Express offering, would apply. A separate tollfree number would be used for calls from Canada. Voipo customers could control their accounts from these tollfree numbers, as well--once they log in to access their features, you'd know who to bill for the call. This one would probably give your developers a pretty good headache regarding the billing, but it would be great for those lame areas of the country that have very limited local calling areas.

Anyone will be able to call in and do the following:

1) Enter a VOIPo phone number (any number on our network including virtual) to connect to a VOIPo user

2) Enter a PIN number to connect to a VOIPo user

How will the system know the difference between a PIN and a phone#? Less than 10 digits?

3) Enter a Secure Virtual Number (working on the name for this) to connect to a VOIPo user

Name ideas:

• Disposable number
• Proxy Number <-- I like this one
• Shadow Number
• Cover Number
• Disguise Number
• Masquerade Number <-- Am I getting carried away, or do you like it?
• Veil Number

VOIPo Residential Freedom will be able to call in and do the following:

1) Manage most features like forwarding, etc

2) Dial out via their VOIPo account (mainly meant for international)

This feature is also very useful for the person who may need to make a LD call but is not able to do so easily. Such circumstances include, for example, courtesy phone at a gym, hospital, or other establishment, work phone, etc.

3) Access voicemail

What's a PIN Number?

Users will be able to setup 3-9 digit PIN numbers that they can give to people to call them on via the access number instead of giving someone their real phone number. These PIN numbers can be set to expire based on the number of calls or time.

A few questions:

• Will users be able to set up an unlimited number of PINs that can be 3 - 9 digits in length, or will users be limited to three PINs, all of which are 9 digits in length?
• Say I decide to use 123456789 as my PIN, along with about 1/3 of your other users. Will the system allow multiple different lines to use the same PIN? If so, how will it know which VOIPo user to connect with?
• Once your PIN expires, how long until it can be re-used, or used by a different user (if PINs can't overlap)? You may have a problem with 'wrong numbers' here for that reason.

So as an example, you could create a PIN that works for the next 3 days only or that works for the next 2 calls only and give it to someone you're selling something to on Craigslist.

What's a Secure Virtual Number?

This is a virtual number that just like a PIN number can expire based on usage or time automatically. They'll be available for a small one-time fee (likely $0.99). They can be called directly as well as from the access numbers.

Again this is the prototype that's up now, but we're still tweaking it so it may change.

I don't like to announce things until they're done and fully tested, but we're pretty excited about this one.

It's one of a handful of the stuff in the pipeline right now. We just like to test things to make sure they're relatively bug-free before releasing into beta.
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Questions for the 'secure virtual number' (SVN):

• How long can a user 'tie up' a SVN? Could I just create one and set it for 999 uses and have a virtual number for a one-time $0.99 charge instead of $5/mo? (Not that I would do anything like that...
• Say I get a SVN and use it up. How long before it becomes available for another user? You can expect quite a few 'wrong number' calls to these numbers as people call based on out-dated posts, address books, or whatever.
• Do these numbers come out of a different inventory than your regular numbers, or will there be a 'pool' of numbers specified for SVN use?

Don't get me wrong--I love these ideas. I'm just hoping to think of the exploits/pitfalls before they go live so you don't have to take them back away...