Setup a US Number to Receive Calls on a Computer

If you wish to receive and make calls with a foreign telephone number (or US telephone number), you can buy the number from servers like Call Centric. Call Centric is the internet version of a land service provider (like AT&T, Sprint and so on). However, you will also need an application, like ZoIPer in order to make and receive calls with that number, much like how you still need to buy a physical telephone for the number you get from land service providers.

Costs

As you will below, IP telephony can even be used on mobile phones. However, this facility is possible only if those phones have an internet connection. Afterall, this is an internet facility. Needless to say, the mobile telephone line service provider will charge you separately according to your data plan. However, you are likely to avoid these additional charges if you use free WiFi.

Regarding free internet calls (between 2 computers) using these facilities, this is only possible if you are contacting other people who also use the same service provider, in this example Call Centric. In such a case, you may share your Call Centric 'SIP URL' number which starts 1777 with such people. Otherwise, there is no need to share that 'SIP URL' number with others. You will need to only share the regular telephone number with others who also only have a regular line (aka 'Public Switched Telephone Network' or regular 'telephone line' (land or mobile). 

Let's dive in

This post discusses how to connect your telephone number to the app ZoIPer, creating extensions (for connecting different devices to a single telephone number, like how a business has different extension lines for individual workers) and using the number on WhatsApp. (FYI, in the case of Call Centric, their dashboard offers additional options like SMS).

Connect ZoIPer and your Call Centric number

1. Download the ZoIPer application to your PC
2. Enter the following in the fields
1. username: 1777987654321  (NB. If you are creating extensions, enter the extension number like 1777987654321101 where the '101' at the end is the unique 3-digit extension number.
2. Password: [If you have a unique password for your extension, enter it to accompany the use of the extension from the previous field.]
3. Login button
   
   
   
   
3. Enter the following
1. hostname: sip.callcentric.net 
2. Next
4. Authentication Username (& Outbound proxy)
1. Skip button
5. Configuration testing
1. select the option that appears as available (in green)
6. .

See Call Centric instructions for mobile phones. https://www.callcentric.com/support/device/zoiper/mobile

Set up multiple extensions on a single telephone number 

It is possible to receive and make calls from your computer AND cell phone using a single telephone number that you bought from Call Centric. This type of setup requires you to create 'extensions', much like the extensions that exist popularly in corporate offices.

Call Centric will have assigned an account number that starts 177 etc ... Before setting up multiple extensions, your default setup only had one extension like this.

• 1777987654321

Your objective will be to create the following.

• 1777987654321      This is the default extension that will no longer be used and may be labeled as 'not registered'
• 1777987654321101      (for the PC)  Call Centric dashboard status: 'your phone is registered'
• 1777987654321102      (for the mobile phone)  Call Centric dashboard status: 'your phone is registered'

Extension Treatment

You can decide how you want the phone or phones to ring when calls come in. For instance, both extensions may ring simultaneously (an option that is useful if you will not always be near to your PC). This option is called 'Simultaneous ringing'. Whatever your option, you will need to set your 

For Simultaneous ringing, you will need to create a Call Treatment rule as follows:

1. Log in to Call Centric
2. Click the 'Call Treatments' tab (second level, top menu)
3. Under "Redirect call to:"---, do the following.
1. Choose "Simultaneous ringing" and choose extensions 101 and 102
2. Click Save

Setting a Call Centric Telephone number to WhatsApp

If you want to use your Call Centric telephone number on WhatsApp only (ie not for making or receiving regular telephone calls on your PC or phone), you do not need ZoIPer. However, you will need to set up SMS text messaging on the call Centric number in advance of this process (in order to receive the special code from WhatsApp). Here are the steps. 

1. If you do not already have SMS on your Call Centric number, set it up (even if just for the few minutes it will take to set up this facility
1. Login > SMS portal ..... Checkout
2. If you are already using another telephone number on WhatsApp, let WhatsApp know you want to change the number
1. Settings > Account > Change number > Next ...

CONTENT RELATED TO SETTING UP A US TELEPHONE NUMBER TO RECEIVE CALLS ON A COMPUTER, MOBILE PHONE & / WHATSAPP

• Setting up a US telephone number to send and receive calls, to receive text messages, etc
• US green card renewal application