PPCGeeks - Using phone to make and recieve free calls via wifi/3g

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- - Using phone to make and recieve free calls via wifi/3g (http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=100470)

Using phone to make and recieve free calls via wifi/3g

WARNING: I do not condone use of this in replacement of a voice plan, and data charges may apply depending on your plan type. Just a word of forewarning.

Ok guys, I know this is probably elsewhere but I thought I would post a quick and dirty on getting your android phone to make and receive calls for free via your WiFi/3g connection using google voice web interface:

GoogleVoice, (not the android GV app, just using the web)
Sipgate.com,
Sipdroid (sip client for android, the only app to install on the phone for this method)

Before I start, I know there is a way to set it up to initiate calls from the phone instead of the web browser, but this process is much less involving and it doesn't need and sort of sorcery to make it work LOL, requires more work and will probably scare away the feeble minded ;)

..First, get GV set up (need to get invitation unfortunately)
..Register at sipgate.com to get a SIP DID number
..Download and install Sipdroid from the market on your phone

A.) Sipgate configuration
..under phone settings make sure disable forwarding to your cell or simply remove it as outgoing specifically from sipgate is not free, only receiving.
..Mouse over the "phone of *your name*" and click on SIP Credentials and keep note of the SIP-ID and SIP-Password and proxy information and write it down
..Download their softphone software for the PC and log into it. also allows you the ability to add and verify your sipgate number to googlevoice. (below)

B.) GoogleVoice
..Add your Sipgate number to Googlevoice and make sure it is set to forward to your sipgate number.
..uncheck "call screening" and turn off "call presentation" under the calls tab
..Test that you can indeed make an outgoing call by making a call via the web interface, in a few seconds your sipgate softphone will ring, answer it, and you should hear it calling the other party (i test it with 1800FREE411)

if that works, move on

C.) Android config
..open Sipdroid,
a. go to SIP config
..enter the SIP-ID and SIP-Password
..server is "sipgate.com"
..leave domain empty
..port is 5060
..protocol is UDP
b. call settings
..check off WLAN, 3G, Edge (if you use ATT or Tmobile)
..I set preferred call type to phone so I can make and receive normal calls via normal means
c. advanced options
..I set up a different ringtone so I know when a call is coming in via sipdroid and not normal.
..IMPORTANT..
with sipdroid activated, you should see a dot up in the corner, make sure it is TEAL and not yellow or red, that means sipdroid is connected to Sipgate
Thats it pretty much it for the config side.

Open up the browser in your phone and go to google.com/voice and log in. Since my phone syncs with gmail (contacts, etc) they show up under contacts. So unfortunately this method does not allow you to dial out with the phone, you need to use the web browser, but android resizes it smartly and is not that bad.

Now make a call either by clicking a contact or typing it in the call box. Your phone should ring using the different ring tone and the ID should be your GV num. If the softphone on your pc is open then that will ring as well but ignore it. Slide up on your phone to answer and you should hear it calling the other party in a few seconds of picking up.

Works incoming as well, have someone call your GV num and sipdroid should answer.

Hope this slapped together guide helps. It's the simplest way imo of doing this. I can live with this method of using the web interface to dial out as I am not going to use this primarily as my cell phone, as its only for when I have to make a really long conference call to a landline during work hours and want to not sap my 500 anytime minutes in one sitting ](*,)

Doing this makes it stupidly useful when I am in an area with crappy cell coverage but access to WIFI. Now I only wish you could turn on ONLY Wifi in those circumstances so your battery wont kill itself from looking for service >.< hahaha

It isn't perfect and YMMV and I'm not responsible LOL use at your own risk ;)

Goodluck!! Let us know your results, and please correct me if I am wrong about anything as I am writing this from memory at 2AM in the morning.