Let’s take the example below and assume your number is (212) 555-1234. This leads to your number possibly lying around in multiple databases. Since Google Voice doesn’t actually own the phone number they don’t always get notified when you’ve moved your number away from them. So what really happens when you port your phone number? Well, without getting too technical, the process is theoretically simple – your phone number gets removed from one phone company’s number inventory database and placed into the database of another phone company.īut with Google Voice (and many other providers), this causes a big problem. The idea was simple - let people keep their phone number and move it to another carrier who is offering better service or better deals, at any time. In 1997 the FCC passed the Local Number Portability (LNP) act, requiring phone companies to allow you to move, or “port”, your number from one phone company to another. But number ownership is NOT permanent, and that’s where the problems ensue. This would all work just fine if number ownership remained permanent. If they don’t, passes the call onto Sprint or Verizon or AT&T or whoever does. But if you call a non-Google Voice number, that call hits, who checks if they own the number. So if one Google Voice user calls another Google Voice user, the call most likely won’t leave the Google network at all. If a caller calls or texts another number within the same network, the call is designed to stay within that particular network to save money. Since we are visual beings - here are some images to illustrate what this looks like. An off-net call means you are calling someone at a different company – for example, a Google Voice subscriber calling to Sprint. Number inventory systems keep track of what numbers are owned by whom for the purpose of routing calls “on-net” or “off-net.” An on-net call means you’re calling someone within the same service provider – for example, a Google Voice subscriber calling another Google Voice subscriber. How does this all really work? Say hello to the number inventory system. Likely the same integration now exists with Sprint, since you can use your Sprint number and integrate it with Google Voice. In order to achieve this integration, Google Voice has likely worked with to create software that keeps track of who owns what numbers and when. They buy and sell minutes and phone numbers which are actually provided by companies like (some Google Voice numbers will be listed as owned by Level3, since also buys from Level3.) **Fun tip: see to find out who owns your number. The first thing to clear up is this – Google Voice is NOT a phone company. What’s going on here? Why can’t the uber-search engine make something as mundane as text messaging work properly? Google Voice Isn’t a Phone Company Or just search the web for “Can’t receive text messages from Google Voice” or “Can’t send text messages using Sprint and Google Voice.” Don’t believe us? Check out this laundry list of complaints that go well into the hundreds: Google’s foray into the Voice market has made a mess of text messaging.
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