From Obi to Vestalink (formerly Obivoice)

So, I have had a Google Voice account for years. I have actually been using it as the "One Number to Control Them All..." for the last 2 years. In fact, I had been so pleased with my setup, that I got my parents an Obi last year and ported their number to Google Voice. A few months later, I did it for a client. Then, Google decides that the XMPP protocol that is used for Google Chat (and those evil free calling deals like Talkatone, GrooveIP and Obi) isn't big enough, doesn't have enough industry support, won't do what they want. In other words, they are taking their toys and going home. In this case, home is the new protocol they created for Hangouts.

This means that I have to come up with a solution that uses the Obi equipment and works seamlessly with Google Voice. I don't know about other users, but I find the idea of leaving Google Voice voicemail about as appealing as replacing sugar with saccharin. Yeah, they are both sweet. But, you know which one is the sugar, don't you.

So, after looking at pricing, reviews and features, I settled on Vestalink. I could go probably give an account of how I decided. But, if it's that important to you. Do the research yourself. It'll be good for you.

Spoof the Caller ID first:
The process of converting my parents' Obi to Vestalink went flawlessly. Except for one item. If I had to do it all over again, I would Spoof the Caller ID before running the Obi setup script. Since I programmed the Obi before spoofing the Google Number, I had to login with a GrooveIP client to prove "ownership" of the Google Voice number. Not such a big deal, but easily avoided by Spoofing the Caller ID prior to running the Obi setup script.

7 Digit Dialing:
The one real complaint I have with Vestalink is they don't show you how to setup local 7 digit dialing. Or, BETTER YET, make it a part of the Obi setup. So, below I have a Digit Map that makes it possible.

Login to the Obi and pull up the User Settings > User Defined Digit Maps

Change Map 1 to:

Label	Mipd
DigitMap	(<1aaa>xxx xxxx|1xxxxxxxxxx|<1>[2-9]xxxxxxxxx|011xx.|xx.|(Mipd)|[^*]@@.)

Just copy and paste. Make sure you replace the AAA with your Area Code. That's it!

Now, your mileage may vary. Make sure you keep a copy of the original DigitMap in case this one doesn't work for you. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!