Google is expanding its testing of a long-awaited feature for Google Voice, the ability to port your current mobile number to the service, Engadget reports.
Number porting on Google Voice has been talked about for years now, but Google tells Search Engine Land that ita4‚¬a4„s only recently gotten over some back-end technical hurdles that will make the porting process easier.
Porting your number costs $20, and it will also end your current cellular service plan &8212' which means you may have to pay early termination fees if youa4‚¬a4„re still under contract. And since that leaves your phone without a cellular number of its own, youa4‚¬a4„ll have to call your carrier and arrange for a new number on your device.
The expanded testing, which will only go on for a limited amount of time, is a sign that Google is close to bringing the feature to all Google Voice users. The feature was previously available to some users but couldna4‚¬a4„t take advantage of everything Google Voice had to offer. For example, you couldna4‚¬a4„t use Google Voicea4‚¬a4„s nifty voicemail transcription feature after porting your number.
For some, the cost and headache of porting their numbers will be worthwhile. It effectively means youa4‚¬a4„ll never have to port your number again when you switch service providers &8212' assuming you want to continue using Google Voice. Given how deeply the service is implemented in Android phones, you could easily rely on your Google Voice number more than your cellphonea4‚¬a4„s actual number. Google also recently released a native iPhone app for Google Voice.
As a Google Voice user, I honestly dona4‚¬a4„t think number porting is as useful as the ability to create vanity phone numbers. When first signing up, Google Voice lets you create your own customized phone number which can use any available area code and gives you the option of spelling out words. But given that Google is positioning Voice to be a complete replacement for your current phone plan, the addition of number porting will certainly be welcomed by users.
Next Story: Bloom Energy &''not focused&'' on fuel cells IPO, no plans for a mini-Bloom Box Previous Story: Ask the accountant: VentureBeat fields your tax questions
Print Email Twitter Facebook Google Buzz LinkedIn Digg StumbleUpon Reddit Delicious Google More&8230'
Companies: Google
Companies: Google
Devindra Hardawar is VentureBeat's lead mobile writer and East Coast correspondent. He studied philosophy at Amherst College, worked in IT support for several years, and has been writing about technology since 2004. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can reach him at devindra@venturebeat.com (all story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com), and on Twitter at @Devindra.
Have news to share Launching a startup Email: tips@venturebeat.com
VentureBeat has new weekly email newsletters. Stay on top of the news, and don't miss a beat.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
Comments