Virtual Number

[will13am]

Before even making this suggestion, I will fall on my own sword first and brand myself a hypocrite for suggesting a moon shot here.  It is simply worth the humility.  This virtual number thing that T-Mobile is moving to is something all carriers should adopt.  I have enjoyed using google voice for almost a decade, only small drawback is google does not issue Canadian numbers.  It is good start toward cloning the google voice service even if a decade late.

https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/t-mobile-digits

[srlawren]

Honestly, I agree that this is something all the carriers should adopt.  It's a great way to take away one of the main incentives for switching to a data-only plan and using a virtualized phone number with a service like Fongo (or GV in the USA).  By offering up this flexibility, carriers are encouraging people to stick with their existing talk+text+data plans, which is a win for the carrier in terms of revenue rather than people just going to a data-only plan and using Fongo (or comparable VoIP provider).  It's also a win for the customer becuase it means under normal circumstances you're not using up your mobile data for calls or looking for a WiFi hotspot, but you've still got that flexibility when travelling or sitting in front of your computer, etc.  Big thumbs up on the suggestion.

[stonechucker]

RogersOneNumber had the multiple device access previously, allowing for the free nationwide calling, but they have discontinued this service due to reasons I do not know.

i like the idea, however I do not see it happening at Public Mobile (please tell me I'm wrong), and my expectations are not high.

I would really like to see MVNOs have the ability to run in Canada.  Ting.com is a Canadian company that is flourishing in the US, but has no access in Canada.

[kav2001c]

@stonechucker Rogers discontinued for financial reasons 

Also MVNOs get shut down here (eg Sugar Mobile) so I am skeptical

@will13am it is a good idea; closest we can do today is via VOIP services unfortunately 

[srlawren]

@kav2001c interesting about Rogers eh. You would think if the alternative is their customers porting out their voice and text service to Fongo (or equivalent) and switching to a data-only plan, it would actually be even worse financially!

[pakmode]

Great idea. Would love to see this option finally become a reality.