I’m by no means surprised that Packet 8 has added virtual numbers. Just about every other VoIP player is heading or has headed in that direction, ever since Vonage first introduced the concept.
So when I look at the value of them I see the value in getting a number somewhere you regularly have people calling from to make it easier for them. This is why many service providers like plumbers, electrician, roofers and other contractors all have many numbers in metropolitan areas. To look local to their customers.
The cost for a foriegn exchange and the mileage led many to call forward a local number to a cell phone, as calls to cell numbers usually don’t incur message units. But now with Virtual numbering a contractor or even a metro wide pizza delivery service can have numbers appear to be everywhere and terminate whereever they want them to. That’s one value of virtual numbers from where I sit.
Got any other ideas?
Another example is when you want to have family members in different parts of the country call you, but you don’t want to them to incur the price of the long distance charge. In the past, you could get an 800 number or given out a calling card. This is a cheaper solution.