Solution to MagicJack's Conference Call Blocking Problem

MagicJack is by far the cheapest way for anyone to start making calls using an ordinary landline phone. It is also easier to use and you can take it with you anywhere around the world. MagicJack has become very successful in a short timeframe leaving behind traditional phone companies, cable companies, and VOIP providers like Vonage.

When I bought MagicJack in 2009, it was required  to connect it to a computer with an Internet connection. BUT, with the new MagicJack Plus, you do not need a computer anymore. Now, you can receive as good or better service than your regular home phone does. No more having to keep your computer turned on all the time. Any phone—corded, cordless, portable, DECT — can be plugged into  MagicJack PLUS which can be plugged directly into your cable modem or wired/wireless router via the Ethernet cable. Additionally, you still have a choice to plug your MagicJack PLUS to a computer when traveling, at a second house, at your business or even your home.

Since MagicJack is so cheap for consumers and that it needs to make money, it has started blocking calls made to conference call platforms. The reason (take this with a grain of salt) is that MagicJack pays a certain amount of fees to such calls routed to these conference platforms. Because MagicJack has millions of subscribers, these fees can easily add up and eat into MagicJack's livelihood. Also, MagicJack offers International phone service that competes directly with many of the VOIP providers of international calls. So, to promote their own service, MagicJack has simple started blocking such calls. From a business point of view, it does make sense, but from a consumer point of view, it sucks.

Rather than finding fault with a service that saves me hundreds of dollars every year, I decided to find work-around to this problem. The work-around is very simple. I had talked about in my earlier post on MagicJack, but since lots of people are asking about this, I have decided to write this on a dedicated page. If you are considering buying MagicJack, look no further. Get New & Improved 2012 MagicJack Plus + Free 1YR Subscription Magic Jack Service from Amazon.

Solution

STEP 1: Sign-up for Free Google Voice Number

Google Voice is a phone service from Google. Google Voice piggy backs on top of your existing phone service. It gives you one number for all your phones and a free US long distance and many calling features. Unlike MagicJack, Google Voice doesn't provide any hardware. So, it isn't a true substitute for landlines like MagicJack. Your first step is to sign-up for Google Voice number.

STEP 2: Add MagicJack Landline As a Call Forwarding Number

Add your Landline MagicJack phone number as a call forwarding number to your Google Voice. You may also have aready done this when signed up for the Google Voice. Additionally, you may also want to add your cellphone and other numbers you may have.

STEP 3 (OPTIONAL, but highly recommended): Remove PIN for Voicemail Access

This step ensures that when you call your Google Voice number from your registered MagicJack or Cell Phone numbers, you will be prompted with a Google Voice menu with the following options.  After the prompt, press 2 and dial the number that was previously blocked by MagicJack.

Key Action
Press 1 Listen to new voicemail, if any
Press 2 Place a call
Press 4 Change your settings

First go to Google Voice Settings.

[caption id="attachment_264" align="alignnone" width="400"] Google Voice Settings[/caption]

Click on the Edit button to change settings.

[caption id="attachment_265" align="alignnone" width="640"] Google Voice Settings[/caption]

 

Click on the Show Advanced Settings link.

[caption id="attachment_266" align="alignnone" width="640"] Google Voice Settings[/caption]

After this, there will be a screen containing a section called Voicemail. Next to it will be a link called "Activate Google voicemail on this phone". Click on this link. It will ask you set a 4 digit PIN. Enter the PIN. Once that is done, from a screen that looks like below, Select PIN not required. (Update 8/9/2013: Google just changed the user interface. I don't have the latest screenshot. The screen below won't exactly match what you would see on your screen. But, roughly this is the step you would need to follow in order to make outgoing calls from your MagicJack phone to Google Voice to a conference call number or a number that is blocked by MagicJack.)

[caption id="attachment_267" align="alignnone" width="640"] Google Voice Settings[/caption]

 

STEP 4 (TOTALLY OPTIONAL): Remove Call Forwarding

I personally don't give out Google Voice number to people close to me and therefore do need forward those calls to my landline or cellphone. Therefore, I've removed forwarding checkbox.

[caption id="attachment_268" align="alignnone" width="640"] Google Voice Settings[/caption]

 

Troubleshooting

If you don't follow instructions in STEP 3, it is likely that calling Google Voice number from your MagicJack landline number may forward the call to your cell phone or other numbers rather than giving you the menu prompt to call out using Google Voice. If you are in hurry and don't have time, then you can get that prompt by pressing * and then PIN. To avoid this inconvenience, step 3 is highly recommended especially when you need to jump on conference call while working from home.