US number, call back to UK number?

Hi all,
I know this has probably been done 1000 times, but I'm really tired and cannot seem to think properly on the search function...I'm not sure I'm using the right keywords though, because I am not entirely sure what it is called... What do you call it when you set up a US number like an 800 number or local number that call forwards to a UK number?  Can someone point me to some threads which talk about how to do this?
Thanks, sorry for the laziness...
Laura

I just did a google search for international call forwarding and a lot of options popped up. Maybe that can get you started?

There's also this: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=20451.msg245548#msg245548

There really isn't a name for it, but you can get an internet phone with a US phone number that your friends & family can dial like a local number to get a hold of you in the UK.  However, you do have to have an internet connection (constantly turned on) in order to recieve the calls.

We have Sippgate numbers, one for the UK and one for the US.

I think the US number costs €7 a month. The UK number is free.

Our two phones are connected to our router, with the husband and I having our own phones.

Excellent service.

OK...I'll plug my Vonage. We have had it since we first got together both in the US and UK. We only have minor problems when DH is downloading a movie from the Internet AND DS is playing his on-line game. Both of which take up a huge amount of bandwidth. Otherwise, our bill runs about £20/month for unlimited calls to the US as well as two phantom number; one for my son in CA and another for my ailing mother in SC. The only catch is that mobile numbers are NOT free, so you have to be careful with those calls.

We use OneSuite.com for the purpose you're describing, in the sense that we provide our friends and family with an 800 number to call us in the UK.  It's not as easy as what you're looking to do because they have to dial the 800 number, then our pin number, then our UK phone number.  However, most have just entered the number into speed dial and it has worked really well for us the past year and a half.  It's 3 cents per minute for landline calls and 19 cents per minute for mobile calls.

There really isn't a name for it, but you can get an internet phone with a US phone number that your friends & family can dial like a local number to get a hold of you in the UK. 

This is just one sub-division of the general category of telecommunications known as VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol).   There are several different communication protocols in use by different companies -- SIP, H.323, etc. 

However, you do have to have an internet connection (constantly turned on) in order to recieve the calls.

Just to clarify, unless you are running software on your PC for the link, you don't need to leave the computer running all the time, just your DSL modem/router (and separate Analog Telephone Adapter if you are using one -- some routers have an integral one, such as many of the BT Voyager units).

Thanks, all helpful. 

We use OneSuite.com for the purpose you're describing, in the sense that we provide our friends and family with an 800 number to call us in the UK.  It's not as easy as what you're looking to do because they have to dial the 800 number, then our pin number, then our UK phone number.  However, most have just entered the number into speed dial and it has worked really well for us the past year and a half.  It's 3 cents per minute for landline calls and 19 cents per minute for mobile calls.

Another OneSuite user here.  We've been using it for the past year and a half and have had no problems whatsoever.  We were able to set up our landline and mobile numbers as speed dial numbers so that my family doesn't even have to remember a PIN number, just the 800 number plus #10 or #15.  Every so often I recharge the account with $10 or $15 - they accept paypal as well, so it's dead easy - and my family doesn't have to rely on me to call them anymore!

Another OneSuite user here.  We've been using it for the past year and a half and have had no problems whatsoever.  We were able to set up our landline and mobile numbers as speed dial numbers so that my family doesn't even have to remember a PIN number, just the 800 number plus #10 or #15.  Every so often I recharge the account with $10 or $15 - they accept paypal as well, so it's dead easy - and my family doesn't have to rely on me to call them anymore!

I keep meaning to look into how to set up the speed dial feature on our end.  That would make it a lot simpler.  Thanks for the reminder! 

OK...I'll plug my Vonage. We have had it since we first got together both in the US and UK. We only have minor problems when DH is downloading a movie from the Internet AND DS is playing his on-line game. Both of which take up a huge amount of bandwidth. Otherwise, our bill runs about £20/month for unlimited calls to the US as well as two phantom number; one for my son in CA and another for my ailing mother in SC. The only catch is that mobile numbers are NOT free, so you have to be careful with those calls.

Terri, I just ordered that and should get the adapter/wireless router tomorrow or Thursday and I can't wait!