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Ask HN: Would you be interested in using a VoIP system that has an operator?

2 points · 6 comments · 12 days ago · left-struck

news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49537675

In 2026, if there was a voip system, like say an app where when you tap dial an actual human operator would pick up and ask which number you wanted to dial, then connect you to that number.

This isn’t some startup scheme, I doubt very much it would be economical, but just curious other people would want this.

al_borland12 days ago
That seems much slower and more error prone than typing in the number.
What might make more sense is more of a concierge. “Please, connect me to the Home Depot in Alren, TX.” They find the number, give options if there are some, and connect the call.
If I’ve already had to get the number to give to the operator, the value is gone.
Jeremy102612 days ago
No, I barely want to talk to the human that I need to talk to in the first place. Adding an additional human just to ask to talk to the person I want to talk to sounds awful.
wojciii12 days ago
No way. I try to avoid to talk to people as much as possible.
I mean strangers. It always leads to akward conversations. "If you can't spot the weirdo on the bus .. you're the weirdo." as Ted from HIHMYM would probably say.
rafsanmovers12 days ago
oh

news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49537675

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Ask HN: Would you be interested in using a VoIP system that has an operator?

2 points · 6 comments · 12 days ago · left-struck

news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49537675

In 2026, if there was a voip system, like say an app where when you tap dial an actual human operator would pick up and ask which number you wanted to dial, then connect you to that number.

This isn’t some startup scheme, I doubt very much it would be economical, but just curious other people would want this.

al_borland12 days ago
That seems much slower and more error prone than typing in the number.
What might make more sense is more of a concierge. “Please, connect me to the Home Depot in Alren, TX.” They find the number, give options if there are some, and connect the call.
If I’ve already had to get the number to give to the operator, the value is gone.
Jeremy102612 days ago
No, I barely want to talk to the human that I need to talk to in the first place. Adding an additional human just to ask to talk to the person I want to talk to sounds awful.
wojciii12 days ago
No way. I try to avoid to talk to people as much as possible.
I mean strangers. It always leads to akward conversations. "If you can't spot the weirdo on the bus .. you're the weirdo." as Ted from HIHMYM would probably say.
rafsanmovers12 days ago
oh

news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49537675