Google Voice Adds "Voicemail Portability"

It's been long suspected that eventually Google will begin offering number portability with its Google Voice service. Today the company announced "baby steps" in that direction, with "voicemail portability."

What this means is, rather than using a Google Voice-supplied number, you can link your existing mobile number to the service. While you lose a lot of the features you might get with a Google Voice-supplied number you don't have to tell everyone you've changed things.

That would be the beauty of number portability with Google Voice. Most consumers are aware of number portability with regards to wireless carriers: you can port your number when you move from one carrier to another. If you could do that with Google Voice, you would get the full benefit of the service while not having to tell everyone to change their contact info. Naturally, you'd need a different number for your mobile phone.

What you lose with the new system, as opposed to a Google Voice-supplied number, is:

• One number that reaches you on all your phones
• SMS via email
• Call screening
• Listen In
• Call recording
• Conference calling
• Call blocking

What you gain by using the service (vs. regular voicemail) is:

• Online, searchable voicemail
• Free automated voicemail transcription
• Custom voicemail greetings for different callers
• Email and SMS notifications
• Low-priced international calling

The following carriers are currently supported: Alltel, AT&T, Cricket Wireless, MetroPCS, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless. Essentially, you’re providing access to your regular voicemail to the Google Voice transcription and notification system. If you already use Google Voice, you can add Google Voicemail to any mobile phone linked to your account.

Of course, the big negative is that the service is invite-only. You can request an invitation here, or if you're lucky, get an invite from a friend.

Watch a video, if you're still confused: