fishyfish

A recent family illness for a family member in the UK means I'll need to receive calls on a regular basis from the UK and I'm finding my relatives caregivers, therapists, doctors ect are reluctant to call me overseas as I only have a US phone number. I need a UK number as it is very important that I make it as easy as possible on them to contact me.

I use OOMA (internet VOIP) for my phone system in the US. Is there anything similar I can buy in the UK and bring back with me here in the US?

Alternatively, can I buy a pay as you go mobile when I'm in the UK and bring it back with me to the US - if so, any advice on the cheapest mobile /network to use for incoming calls as I would use my normal phone service to return the call back to the UK.

Whatever service, equipment I get, it will need to have a voice mail capability as I find that due to the time difference, I'll be getting calls in the middle of the night / when I'm teaching, and other times when I'm not available.

Thanks for any advice...

Alan17

I use Skype for that purpose. You can get a UK number which automatically calls me on Skype, which then redirects to my cellphone if I'm not near a computer.
I also have all my UK relations on a local US number, also arranged through Skype. Means I can call them from a cell or land line using a US number which goes straight to their number in the UK. Works beautifully.

fatbrit

Hardware: obi110
Service provider: Callcentric

Problem solved.

holly_1948

Vonage will sell you a VOIP adapter with two numbers for incoming calls, one UK one US. The VOIP adapter can travel with you. But there is still only one outgoing number (i.e. caller ID at the other end will show USA even if you are physically in England) unless you pay for two full lines at considerable extra cost.

Ozzidoc

There was a thread/sticky on here about five years ago, where you could get an individual 0845 type of number. The UK caller phoned your 0845 (cost approx 2-5p a minute) and the call automatically went through to the one number set to receive it. eg US cell phone

penguinsix

Skype in number is easy enough. Run Skype on your smartphone or forward the uk number to a us number. Quite easy

wilba1234

If you and your family members have Iphone or android phones you can use viber its free you can also send free texts

TimNiceBut

I've use Skype for the "reverse" process for the last few years before moving to the US and I wouldn't hesitate do use it to get a UK number if I needed one.

markwm

Tell your relatives to get an account with www.18185.co.uk Cheap calling to the US from UK: think it's 1p per minute to landlines and 0.5 p per minute to mobiles (check the latest rates).

Bob

Which is handy for the relatives, but less so for the doctors etc.

Skype is probably the easiest/cheapest option, with a UK number.

If any other voip is being used like Vonage, spend the bit extra to get a UK number.

fatbrit

Vonage is too mainstream to be competitive these days. Plus the hardware is dedicated.

TimNiceBut

The other advantage of Skype is that you can put the client on your Smartphone and (depending on the network) get the calls routed to wherever you are in a manner that is transparent for the caller.

fatbrit

Ditto Callcentric and Google Voice.

cranston

http://dmclub.net/

I have used these people for years. I have one of their 07-K number ('world mobile' number).

BritishGuy36

+1.

I used to have an 0845 number with dmclub, which forwards to your US number. No extra numbers to dial or additional plans to subscribe to.