Asterisk Google Voice

Google Voice was designed to be a user-friendly, interactive messaging system. Google didn't intend to provide a telephony tools for Asterisk developers, but Digium haven't blocked any functionality either. There's no SIP connectivity in Google Voice, but use of GIZMO makes the entire Google Voice platform is SIP-based which makes it a perfect fit with Asterisk.

Due to Google Voice design, there's no simple way to use your Google Voice DID for inbound call distribution while also integrating voicemail transcription and outbound calling into Asterisk dialplan. Because there is not an advantage of the free voicemail transcription service with Asterisk if Google Voice is sending inbound calls all over the countryside. The key to unlocking the greatness of Google Voice with Asterisk implementation is having two Google Voice accounts so that each can be used for a dedicated purpose. The first account will be implemented for outgoing functions and voicemail procedures, and the second is applied to manage and route incoming calls. This is essential for security reasons, if you don't want to reveal your Google Voice number on order of outbound calling. It is a SIP connection, and your Google Voice phone account is only protected by a 4-digit PIN. If Google hasn't experienced Fail2Ban, it is just pending. Currently multiple Google Voice accounts aren't possible unless you had more than one GrandCentral account, due to the only GrandCentral users currently are authorized for Google Voice accounts. It will change, definitely

The design of Google Voice To integrate free voicemail transcription of Google Voice into Asterisk, first you must do is turn your Google Voice account into a answering machine and message distribution system. When calls arrive on your Google Voice number, they will immediately trigger a greeting message.

Google Voice Setup. Log into your Google Voice account and click Settings, General. In the Voicemail Greeting section of the form, record your greeting message as outlined above. In the Notifications section, identify the email and SMS addresses for delivery of your voicemail messages. In Voicemail Transcripts, check the option to transcribe voicemails. Now click on the Do Not Disturb check box to forward all inbound calls to voicemail.

FreePBX Setup. Obviously there are numerous ways to integrate this transcription service of Google Voice into Asterisk. If you're using Asterisk free PBX, here are a couple of simple ways. First, create a Miscellaneous Destination for Google Voice and provide your Google Voice number in the correct format to match your Asterisk dialplan. Next, if you use a Ring Group to answer incoming calls, choose your new Google Voice Miscellaneous Destination as the "Destination if no Answer."

If you're using an IVR to route calls, then may be you'll want to add an option to leave a voicemail and have it transcribed for delivery to your email account.

For rerouting of Asterisk calls to Google Voice, be sure to use an outbound trunk that supports CallerID pass-through. And make configurations needed with a blank CallerID value in Asterisk free PBX. Then the actual CallerID of the incoming call will be passed along to Google Voice and stored as part of the voicemail message.