Recommended 020 7 local rate phone number providers?

[Azam.net]

We're not a start-up, but looking for some advice that a start-up would probably welcome.

We would like to register some local rate numbers for clients to be able to call, with the flexibility to change the forwarding where these numbers go to - including to mobile phones - easily and quickly.

(1) Which companies provide 020 7 numbers (rather than 020 3 or 020 8) please?
(2) Are there any companies that have an online interface in which one can easily change the forwarding of these 020 7 numbers?

Thanks in advance

 

[Tamar Telecommunications]

Hi Azam.net,

There are several companies both online and on these forums that supply 020 7 telephone numbers, ourselves included.

You will find companies that can provide you with online access to make instant updates to the numbers, along with call statistics, missed call alerts, hunt groups for diverting to two or more numbers, timed diverts and so on.

Feel free to give me a call on 0800 772 0000 or 0333 772 0000 should you wish to discuss further.

Jamie

 

[Nomis Connections]

Hi,

It sounds like you're after UK Virtual numbers - these offer you local numbers (01 and 02) in areas that you don't have an office. You can then 'point' these numbers at a landline/mobile number. You'll pay a setup fee, a monthly rental and then a forwarding charge (this will be more if you forward to a mobile).

One thing you may wish to consider is placing your virtual number(s) on a call management platform - it's all hosted in the cloud and you can control where and when your calls are diverted.

Happy to take you through your options in more detail if you'd like.

 

[Alan]

Sounds like you would be well served by a voice over ip vendor.

We use & recommend http://www.voipfone.co.uk/

 

[solutionsgroup]

I would also recommend a VoIP provider and voipfone in particular.

 

[Azam.net]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

As regards the recommendations of VOIP providers, I appreciate that too. But aren't the call qualities questionnable?

For example, when I have rang people who use Skype's VOIP phone service, the call quality is usually poor. I often miss words they say as the line 'drops' for a second. And even with companies using other services, I've somtimes had the staff on the end of the line voluntarily saying, "Apologies if the line quality is not great as we're using a VOIP phone service."

What are your thoughts please?

 

[Patel.wali]

Sipgate.co.uk is best try this one

 

[Nomis Connections]

VoIP has been developing a lot over the years and is a viable and recognisable alternative to traditional communications methods. It's difficult to compare Skype to business-grade VoIP services as it's more of a consumer product.

The two main aspects that dictate the quality of a VOIP service are the quality of the VoIP network the service uses and the speed/strength of the end-user's broadband connection.

Our VoIP service runs on one of the UK's leading business-grade VoIP networks so network issues aren't a problem, while the constant improvement of the UK's broadband network & services mean that most businesses are now able to use a VoIP solution - and those who can't soon will be.

So long as you choose the right VoIP provider and have a broadband connection that's strong enough to handle the service (we can tell you that), then VoIP is a viable option for you.

 

[cjd]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

As regards the recommendations of VOIP providers, I appreciate that too. But aren't the call qualities questionnable?

For example, when I have rang people who use Skype's VOIP phone service, the call quality is usually poor. I often miss words they say as the line 'drops' for a second. And even with companies using other services, I've somtimes had the staff on the end of the line voluntarily saying, "Apologies if the line quality is not great as we're using a VOIP phone service."

What are your thoughts please?

Skype is a brilliiant piece of software but it's not a telephone service and it is not fit for fulltime business use because it uses the public internet to carry its calls.

A real telephone service uses a technology called SIP which allows the provider to control the call and a good one will not use the public internet - for example, a call from our network does not touch the public internet, it uses a totally private one so that calls are typically better than ordinary telephony.

020 7 numbers ran out in 2005 so they're not always easy to get - we have to charge an up front fee for them. London is now 020, not 020 7/8/3 - most people understand that now.

 

[Alan]

We moved away from skype to voip (voipfone) exactly due to the call quality issues, which totally went away with voipfone. (and security issues, the fact that my skype account was hacked and skype flatly refuse to do anything about it even though the security issues are clearly theirs, full rant if you want to read it here http://badlywired.com/technical-stuff/2012/06/23/my-skype-account-got-hacked/ )

The cost of testing voip is nothing as you can set up a free account with voipfone and get an 056 number free, install zioper softphone on your PC and test away. But as voipfone don't hold you to year long contracts I just jumped in and fully committed that £2.40p

What was a pleasant surprise was that real voip cost less than skype in every way that I use it.

By the way I still have a 0207 skype-in number (due to the year long contract unless I totally close ALL my skype access down) , as 0207 is rare, anyone want to buy my skype account off me? Didn't think so.

 

[cjd]

By the way I still have a 0207 skype-in number (due to the year long contract unless I totally close ALL my skype access down) , as 0207 is rare, anyone want to buy my skype account off me? Didn't think so.

You may be able to port that number onto our network - it's not always possible with Skype but often it is.

 

[Alan]

I don't really need the number, as we decided our brand was 'local' so want a local number not a central London no. I'll ask skype anyway. Possibility of getting a sensible support answer? 0.3% maybe?

 

[cjd]

I don't really need the number, as we decided our brand was 'local' so want a local number not a central London no. I'll ask skype anyway. Possibility of getting a sensible support answer? 0.3% maybe?

Don't ask Skype - just PM me the number and I'll get it checked.

The process doesn't involve Skype as they don't actually own the numbers, they just rent them - not being a telephone company and all....

 

[RockYourWings]

I use Soho 66, £2 a month with voicemail, on-hold music, introductory messages etc - to be fair I've only been with them for two months so I'm limited in my experience with the company; but so far so good!

 

[BusinessTeam]

Morning,

We would steer away on Skype our recommendation would be to speak to someone like www.voipfone.co.uk as they get lots of very positive recommendations on this and many other forums.

Best wishes

Richard