NGC Cell phone carrier question

[fotoguzzi]

So, in an effort to cut my landline and save some $ but still retain my old phone #, I got a new iphone SE and service with Total wireless, $25/mo unlimited text and talk, no data I can get that over wi-fi. Total Wireless uses the Verizon network.. my work phone is on Verizon..
so here's my problem.. the verizon phone record voice mail on the phone but TW makes me call a number to get VM, it also doesn't show the VM list on phone screen.. This is annoying, you have to enter a pin # then listen to a voice tell me what day,time and number the message is from before I can listen to the message, that takes way too long for an impatient guy like me.
I've talked to help at TW but they never answered my question, "how do I get VM messages recorded on phone?"
so is this a carrier preference that can't be altered?
do any of you IT types have a solution other than going to Verizon ? (which will cost more). There is no contract w/TW so I can drop the service anytime.

[ITSec]

It's quite possible that Total is cutting features to get their price where it is. VM is one of those things that they buy software to manage. You can usually bypass the PIN when calling from the device that the phone number is linked to - it's still required when calling from other devices. Getting the recording down to the phone is a carrier option. The software and system that Total has chosen may not support direct download of VMs.

I use Consumer Cellular with the AARP discount, and have two lines. One is on an old Motorola RAZR flip phone with almost no intelligence - I can take that phone places that a smartphone isn't allowed into. My primary phone is a Moto G5 Plus - completely unlocked, Android with no carrier mods, and with support for pretty much any type of network and carrier anywhere in the world based on what SIM you shove into it. It does both CDMA and GSM in all frequencies, which lets me swap SIMs when I travel and pay as I go, where I go.

[Lannis]

I don't know about Voicemail, but I called one of those numbers, and someone named "Fifi from Paree" answered and asked if I wanted "the usual".   She asked if I wanted to use the same credit card as last time and I said, yeah, all right ....

[Orange Guzzi]

The phone number assigned to the Total Wireless phone account is Yours.  It belongs to You.  The phone is Yours also.  Since Verizon is the underlying carrier, you can "port" your number and phone over to any second tier MVNO carrier that uses the Verizon network.  I use Page Plus Cellular.   I have used it for many years.  Lots of plans available.  To port, you will need to purchase air time for the new MVNO carrier you choose, contact the new carrier and ask to port your number.  You will need your phones I.D. numbers to activate the new service.  They are in the MY phone settings. 

Page Plus offers the voicemail service you are wanting.

4g is the minimum standard now.  Lot of old phone will not work on the new systems. 

[fotoguzzi]

Page Plus offers the voicemail service you are wanting.

 

from their website,
To access your Voice Mailbox, dial #738 from your Page Plus phone, and then enter your password when prompted.

that doesn't sound like what I'm wanting.

[Chuck in Indiana]

A  couple or so years ago, we changed our landline to cellular,and have Google ring our cell numbers if that helps.

[Lannis]

A  couple or so years ago, we changed our landline to cellular,and have Google ring our cell numbers if that helps.

We'd change ours if there were a cell signal at the house.   The landline is up to $57 a month (with NO long distance) and there's only one carrier.    Can't get the phone signal via the satellite because it cuts off when a storm cloud intervenes .... !    One of these days ....

Lannis

[antmanbee]

We'd change ours if there were a cell signal at the house.   The landline is up to $57 a month (with NO long distance) and there's only one carrier.    Can't get the phone signal via the satellite because it cuts off when a storm cloud intervenes .... !    One of these days ....

Lannis

If you have cable internet at your house get an OBI200 and a google voice number and have a free land line. I have been doing this for many years now.

[screamday]

I switched our land line to Magic Jack a couple of years ago. Basically an IP phone and I think it costs about $35-40 a year.....can't remember. Works just like a land line......I have a phone and a recorder hooked up to my network. I use it as a burner phone for when some sales guy or cashier wants a phone number for their records.....or anybody I don't want to give my cell phone number to.

[Lannis]

If you have cable internet at your house get an OBI200 and a google voice number and have a free land line. I have been doing this for many years now.

No cable here.   Too far from the phone switch for DSL.   No cell tower in visual range.

Satellite dish is the only choice besides the phone wire.   And the satellite signal doesn't have phone-ready uptime ... !

Lannis

[rodekyll]

from their website,
To access your Voice Mailbox, dial #738 from your Page Plus phone, and then enter your password when prompted.

that doesn't sound like what I'm wanting.

This is what ATT does too, so that's not what you want either.

[fotoguzzi]

If you have cable internet at your house get an OBI200 and a google voice number and have a free land line. I have been doing this for many years now.

can I use my existing # with google voice?

[antmanbee]

can I use my existing # with google voice?

I have not done it but it appears you can with a two step process.

Link,
http://www.obihai.com/porttutorial