..New features allows users to port existing number to VoIP service...
A new feature inserts Google between customer and carriers; could mature into a service that competes with Skype.
In a “test run” a select few users of Google Voice* can port their existing mobile number via the “change/port” option. People who do this will pay a $20 fee to Google for the service, on top of any contract termination charges they’re subject to from this current carrier. Then users will have to go back to a carrier and get another plan with a new number, and then add that number to their Google Voice account if you want the service to work with a mobile phone. It has however been reported that some people are just asking their carriers for a replacement phone number and keeping their existing contract until it expires. However as more carriers purvey Android phones, there’s a possibility they could work with Google on porting numbers. Texting in a timely manner with Google Voice is still problematic.
One nice feature of Google Voice is that it allows one to play or view transcripts of voicemails. Also one number for work, home, mobile with user-set rules. When someone calls that Google Voice number, it rings first at Google's servers, then quickly checked against any rules set by customer and sends call to specified number.
Sometime ago I set up Google Voice on my iTouch - so it only works in WiFi -- but the rules allow calls to go to other numbers I specify. I especially like being able to read my voice mails.
* free web-based platform for U.S. telephone service and texting.
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