Hacker News Reader

Comment by edmccaffrey | Hacker News Reader

Is it possible to add whatever number Google calls you from when connecting incoming calls to the list of numbers that you can talk to for free? Might be possible to get all calls for free if it's always the same number, until T-Mobile blocks it from those lists.

View on HN

It is possible, I have my phone set up like this now. Use one of your MyFaves for your GV number and another one for the number GV dials out to (347-234-5001). Then just forget about it and use your phone like normal- all incoming and outgoing calls will be routed through these two if you have GV installed. It works seamlessly on the mytouch.

I would really like to know how long you've been using this. Technically, this is a violation of the MyFaves terms of use. I'm wondering if, as Google Voice becomes more popular, T-Mobile may take note of MyFaves using numbers like the GV outbound dialer number.

Still, I'm signing up with T-Mobile soon and I'm likely to try this myself. :)

Actually, I had no idea this violated their terms of use. It's the only reason I signed up for T-Mobile in the first place! :) I've been using it for just over two weeks now without issue.

This page has a blog post where some people pointed out the terms of use violation: http://devin.reams.me/free-google-voice-calls-with-t-mobile-...

Apparently the text that it violates is: "Your five numbers must be US domestic numbers and must not include ... customers' own numbers; and single numbers allowing access to 500 or more persons."

I think you can easily get away with having your own Google Voice number as a MyFave. That number is unique to you and shouldn't set off red flags. What I think may be a bit more sticky is the 347-234-5001 number, which, if GV continues to take off, might get noticed because a lot of people will be "fave-ing" that specific number.

Just something to think about. I'm not sure yet if that thought is going to deter me or not from doing it myself. I'm leaning towards "no". :)

Thanks for the heads up. I just looked into my account and noticed that the dialer access number (347...) that GV is using changed for me. It seems like they are adding more numbers as it grows. What would entirely defeat the myfaves trick is if the dialer calls a random google number each time (of course I'm sure then there would be a competing 3rd party GV app that let you specify a number).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com