[Asterisk-Users] Re: International callback strategies

[snacktime]

On Apr 10, 2005 3:52 PM, Rich Adamson <radamson at routers.com> wrote:
> > On Apr 10, 2005 2:21 PM, snacktime <snacktime at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > My wife is from Russia, and we have a lot of friends here in the US
> > > that have families back in Russia.  While calling Russia is fairly
> > > inexpensive, for someone in Russia to be able to call the US is a
> > > different matter.   So I'm looking at the best ways to setup a
> > > callback system.   Here is what I have so far.
> > >
> > > 1.  Call from Russia to US * box using pstn.   Caller enters phone
> > > number to call back, hangs up.  This works, but it still results in a
> > > charge to the caller, and due to how long distance works for most in
> > > Russia it's a pain to place a long distance call.  You have to call
> > > the operator and be put into a queue to place the call.
> > >
> > > 2.  Web interface to enter the callback number.   Would work, but most
> > > families in Russia won't have net access.
> > >
> > > 3.  Trigger callback via sms.  Works if they have a cell phone, but
> > > again most of them don't.
> > >
> > > Right now I'm thinking having both 1 & 2 is the best option.
> > >
> > > What I would really like is a completely toll free call for the
> > > callers in Russia, but I havent' been able to find DID's anywhere.
> > >
> > > Chris
> > >
> >
> > I forgot to mention,  at least from the regions of Russia I am dealing
> > with, caller id just shows up as blocked, so the dial/hangup before
> > answer method won't work.
> 
> Have them send an email to a specific address, run a script against
> the contents of the email, and send a voice message (via a call) to
> whoever they want to talk to. Then that person can initiate the call.

Didn't think about that.   Not a bad idea.

Chris