How it Works · Frequently Asked Questions · Step by Step Home Wiring Set up
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General FAQs
If I keep my current phone service, will it be affected by Nextfone?
How do I sign up for Nextfone?
How do I check the status of my Nextfone order?
Is Internet service included with Nextfone?
Where is Nextfone service available?
Can I get 9-1-1 emergency service with Nextfone?
How long after I register for Nextfone will I receive my Nextfone Voice Gateway?
How do I get technical support?
How can I learn more about the Nextfone Service?
What is Total Presence?
What is Virtual Presence?
Can I Transfer My Long Distance Service to Another Provider?
How it Works
Can I still use my current phone with Nextfone?
Can I use my computer and talk on the phone at the same time?
How is Nextfone different from my current local telephone service?
Do the people I am calling also need to subscribe to Nextfone?
Will Nextfone work with different types of high speed connections?
Will my dial-up Internet connection work with Nextfone?
Can I keep my current phone number with Nextfone?
Do I need to know a lot about computers to get Nextfone?
What do I need to get the Nextfone service?
What happens to my Nextfone service if I move?
Can I use Nextfone when I travel?
Will Nextfone work during a power or network outage?
Can I connect all of the internally wired phones in my house to the Nextfone service
Will my home security system work with Nextfone?
Features
What is the "Secondary Number" service?
Can my Secondary Numbers have different area codes than my main Nextfone number?
What is the "Follow Me" service?
What is Voicemail Plus?
What is "Service Portability"?
What is the Nextfone Command Centre self-serve portal?
Technical FAQs
How do I reboot my Voice Gateway?
Why doesn’t my Linksys modem (model number WRT54G) work with the Nextfone Voice Gateway?
Why don’t I receive calls?
Why can’t I get my voicemail?
If I keep my current phone service, will it be affected by Nextfone?
No, Nextfone is independent of your existing phone service and has no interaction with it .
How do I sign up for Nextfone?
You can sign up online using our easy order process by going to www.mynextfone.com and selecting "sign up now." If you would rather speak to one of our knowledgeable Member Services Consultants please call 416-849-6463 or call toll free at 866-863-2323.
How do I check the status of my Nextfone order?
You will receive a confirmation e-mail when your Quick Start Kit (including the Nextfone Voice Gateway) has been shipped. You may also speak to one of our knowledgeable Member Services Consultants by calling 416-849-6463 or call toll free at 866-863-2323.
Is Internet service included with Nextfone?
No. Nextfone is a service that works over your existing high speed Internet connection from almost any provider. If you require a high speed connection, we do have very competitive bundled packages go to www.mynextfone.com and/or contact sales@mynextfone.com for more information.
Where is Nextfone service available?
Nextfone service can be used from almost any Internet broadband connection in the world. Service subscription is available anywhere in Canada or U.S. Click here for a list of local serving exchanges
Can I get 9-1-1 emergency service with Nextfone?
Nextfone 9-1-1 Service is available when you're traveling within most parts of Canada . However at home or when traveling, 9-1-1 service differences exist between Nextfone and traditional telephone service.
How long after I register for Nextfone will I receive my Nextfone Voice Gateway?
Your Nextfone Voice Gateway should arrive to your specified shipping address by courier within 5 to 10 days.
How do I get technical support?
You can contact our knowledgeable Member Services Consultants by dialing by calling 1.866-863-2323 from any phone.
How can I learn more about the Nextfone Service?
You can contact our knowledgeable Member Services consultants by calling 1.866-863-2323.
What is a Primary Number/Total Presence?
With Total Presence you can select a telephone number in the city where you live - the same way you would do with a traditional phone service.
What is a Virtual Number?
With a Virtual Number you can live anywhere in Canada and select your Nextfone Main telephone number from one of our serving areas. In other words, your municipal address and Nextfone Main telephone number are located in different areas. For example : You live in Regina but wish to have a "Virtual Presence" in Toronto . At the start of the service sign-up process, you simply select Ontario and Toronto from the drop down menus and enter your Regina postal code. In this example, all calls to and from Toronto are considered local calls. Your name will appear in the Toronto white pages directory listing (as part of our business plan or as an additional option for our Residential Plan) and to your callers you appear to be resident in Toronto despite living thousands of kilometers away. There are important differences with this option that you need to consider:
- calls made to destinations outside the local calling area of your Main number, in this example the Toronto local calling area, are charged against your Nextfone North American long distance minute plan.
And you can still select up to ten additional Secondary Numbers.
Can I Transfer My Long Distance Service to Another Provider?
No, we are not able to transfer your Nextfone long distance to another service provider. The benefits of Nextfone Long distance include Unlimited North American long distance calling as well as very competitive International rates.
Can I still use my current phone with Nextfone?
Yes, as long as it is connected to the Nextfone Voice Gateway you can use any residential touch-tone phone (corded or cordless) with your Nextfone service.
Can I use my computer and talk on the phone at the same time?
Yes, Nextfone does not need your computer to work so you can make and receive calls while you are sending an e-mail or surfing the Internet. Nextfone simply requires a high speed Internet connection.
How is Nextfone different from my current local telephone service?
The difference is in the Price and Overall Value. Nextfone's Unlimited North America Plan at $24.95 offers the approximately equivalent value of Bell at $75 (please refer to value comparison chart). In addition, Nextfone provides digital functionality and features (ie Simultaneous Ring, Voicemail to Email?) that simply are not available with your current analog phone service. Once installed however, Nextfone works much like the telephone service you're using today. Upon sign-up, we send you a Nextfone Voice Gateway (included in your monthly service fee). Once you have connected your Nextfone Voice Gateway to your existing phone and high speed modem (or home network), you can use your phone as you normally would. You do not speak into your computer (in fact, your computer doesn't even have to be powered on) and there are no extra numbers for you to dial when placing a call. Outbound calls can be placed to anyone with a phone number and incoming calls will ring as they normally do.
Nextfone operates only with the touch-tone phone connected to the Nextfone Voice Gateway. However, the Nextfone service can be conveniently accessed in different parts of your house if a cordless phone is connected to the Nextfone Voice Gateway.
Do the people I am calling also need to subscribe to Nextfone?
No, the people who you call do not need to be Nextfone Members. When you dial their number their phone will ring just as it always has. However, Nextfone offers no charge calling between Members regardless of location.
Will Nextfone work with different types of high speed connections?
Nextfone is compatible with nearly all high speed Internet services including DSL and cable. Nextfone may not work optimally with light broadband services such as cable light and DSL light.
Will my dial-up Internet connection work with Nextfone?
No. Nextfone is designed to work with a high speed Internet connection and cannot be used with any type of dial-up Internet service. If you require a high speed connection, go to www.mynextfone.com and/or contact sales@mynextfone.com for more information.
Can I keep my current phone number with Nextfone?
Yes. By law your local carrier has to transfer / port over your current home telephone number. If you are adding Nextfone to your current telephone service, then a new number will be assigned to you at the time of registration.
Do I need to know a lot about computers to get Nextfone?
Not at all. Nextfone is very easy to install and use. A simple to follow Quick Start Guide is included in your Quick Start Kit.
What do I need to get the Nextfone service?
To use the Nextfone service you need:
- An active high speed Internet service such as DSL or cable
- A standard residential touch tone telephone (corded or cordless)
- The Nextfone Voice Gateway (which is provided to you on registration and is included in your monthly service fee)
What happens to my Nextfone service if I move?
In most cases, you can take your Nextfone Voice Gateway with you and keep the same phone number. You can contact Member Services to find out if your new residence is eligible for Nextfone and to change your address for 9-1-1 and billing purposes.
Can I use Nextfone when I travel?
Yes, Nextfone is Great for people who travel. As long as you have access to an active high speed Internet connection and bring your Nextfone Voice Gateway, your service and phone number should work. All your calls will be treated as if you were making the calls from your home location.
Will Nextfone work during a power or network outage?
No. Nextfone including 9-1-1 service will not work during a power or network outage. Service is dependent on a working high speed Internet connection.
Can I connect all of the internally wired phones in my house to the Nextfone service?
Yes, you can connect Nextfone throughout your home although Nextfone does not support this setup. Please refer to the Step-by-Step Home Wiring Manual provided for Information purposes only.
Will my home security system work with Nextfone?
Not all home security systems work with the Nextfone service. Check with your security company before ordering the Nextfone service and ask if it works with VOIP.
What is the "Secondary Number" service?
As a Nextfone Member you have the option to add up to 10 additional inbound phone numbers for a small extra per month fee. You can get local phone numbers in most of the major cities in Canada and the United States that allows callers in those cities to dial a local number and save on long-distance charges. Calls to all Secondary Numbers ring at your main Nextfone line.
Can my Secondary Numbers have different area codes than my main Nextfone number?
Yes, this allows callers in that local calling area to dial you without any long-distance phone charges. For example, with a Calgary Secondary Number, residents of the 403 calling area can dial you and not be charged for long-distance. Note that even if you have a Secondary Number, all of your outgoing calls will be billed as if made from your main Nextfone phone number.
What is the "Follow Me" service?
With the Nextfone Follow Me service you give out your main number and it will ring at up to five different locations that you specify. There are two ways to set it up:
- Simultaneous Ring - call rings at up to five numbers all at the same time.
- Sequential Ring - if you don't answer the first number, the system automatically attempts the second and so on (in the order and for the number of rings that you specify).
What is Voicemail Plus?
Voicemail Plus is everything you expect from voicemail and more. In addition to retrieving/handling your voicemail on any touch-tone phone, you can have your voicemail messages automatically e-mailed to the e-mail address you specify. Then you can listen to them on your computer, forward them to friends, save them on your computer and respond to your caller with an e-mail message.
What is "Service Portability"?
Service Portability allows you to hook up to just about any high speed Internet connection when you're away from home and continue to use your primary Nextfone number. It enables you to reduce expensive mobile phone charges and avoid missing calls.
What is the Nextfone Command Centre self-serve portal?
The Command Centre self-serve portal lets you administer your account with the click of a mouse. You can set up your call handling features, check your bill and order new options or features in one centralized location.
How do I reboot my Voice Gateway?
• Unplug the power cable from the Voice Gateway
• Wait 15 Seconds, and then plug the power back in, the Gateway will then reboot automatically.
• If there, are further questions or issues, then please contact support@mynextfone.com
Why doesn't my Linksys modem (model number WRT54G) work with the Nextfone Voice Gateway?
The Linksys firmware 2.04 on modem model number WRT54G does not support VOIP gateways. Linksys released a new firmware 3.01 that resolves issue with VOIP adapters. To upgrade your Linksys firmware, do the following:
• Go to the Linksys site ( www.linksys.com )
• Select product and choose your modem model number - WRT54G
• Download the firmware 3.01 and follow the install procedure
Why don't I receive calls?
• Turn off any Call Forwarding features you may have active and make a test call to your Nextfone number from another phone.
• Make sure the Voice Gateway is turned on and properly connected
Why can't I get my voicemail?
• Dial your local Voicemail access number (*123) to retrieve messages.
• If you do not hear your voicemail greeting, turn off Follow Me and any Call Forwarding features you may have active and try again.
 
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