How to Assign a Phone Number to an iPod for Use on the Verizon MiFi

You can receive calls with an iPod Touch and a VoIP softphone.

The Verizon MiFi is a class of mobile device typically referred to as a mobile hot spot. Such devices allow you to connect wireless-enabled devices and provide an uplink to a cellular data provider, or Verizon in this case. It is possible to configure your iPod Touch with a telephone number and place and receive telephone calls over a MiFi connection. You must install an app on your Touch that enables Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or Session Initiated Protocol (SIP). You must also subscribe to service through a carrier who will provide you with a telephone number.

Things You'll Need

• iPod Touch
• VoIP or SIP provider
• VoIP or SIP app

Instructions

1. Find a SIP or VoIP provider who allows you to subscribe to a telephone number and create an account. There are dozens of such providers or carriers. Some of the most popular include Fring, Truphone and Vonage.

2. Download and install the appropriate SIP or VoIP app for your provider on your iPod Touch. Some carriers, such as Fring and Vonage, provide custom apps for the iPhone operating system (iOS). Other more generic softphone apps, including Acrobits and Bria, are designed to be used with one of many VoIP carriers.

3. Apply for a telephone number from your VoIP provider or port an existing telephone number to them. Each carrier has a slightly different procedure for generating a telephone number as well as different area codes in which they offer local numbers. Some carriers will allow you to port in an existing telephone number, but you will need to check with them on the procedure and steps.

4. Configure your softphone app for the settings provided by your carrier. The precise steps for configuration differ from one carrier to the next and even between apps. You may need to check with your provider or the developer of your softphone app for recommended settings. You will configure your softphone with the telephone number you have been allocated.

5. Place a call to your VoIP telephone number to test the configuration on your iPod Touch. You may need to engage in some trial and error to ensure that you receive inbound calls. Test first at home and then test using the MiFi, so you can isolate any troubleshooting steps from the network link.

Tips & Warnings

• You cannot place or receive telephone calls with any model of iPod except the iPod Touch.

• Always initiate a telephone number porting request from your new carrier or you could lose the number.

References

• Nerd Vittles: VoIP Softphone Shootout for iPhone, iPad, & iPod Touch
• YouTube: How to Use Fring and Assign Your iPod It's Own Number
• AppShopper: VoIP and SIP apps

Resources

• iTunes Preview: Acrobits Softphone
• iTunes Preview: Bria IPhone Edition
• iTunes Preview: Fring