Travel Technology - Question for those with Skype ----- {SkypeOut}

Hi,

So I signed with SkypePro and a SkypeIn number. Registered with a US number. All set up and good to go.

So with SkypePro they say you can call for free landlines and cell's in the U.S. So what if I'm in Germany or France on a trip and use Skype to call the U.S.

Q: Does Skype see that I'm in Europe and charge me the fee to call the U.S., or does it not care and my calls to the U.S. are still free?

Any clarification would be great ^

Q: [B]Does Skype see that I'm in Europe and charge me the fee to call the U.S.Yes, it does -- try, for example, http://www.IP2Location.com/

That was quick :D

Thank you.

But then if I'm in Germany, my calls to German landlines would be free, correct?

Doesn't Skype forwarding work when I'm offline too? How would it know which country I'm in.

Here's why I ask: when I leave, I will set my TM cell to forward to my SkypeIn Number. I will answer those calls overseas. When I'm away from Skype (or sleep and computer is off) I want to forward to a local German landline (for free?). Or can I forward it back to a U.S. number for free?

Doesn't Skype forwarding work when I'm offline too?Nice try: http://support.skype.com/index.php?_a=knowledgebase&_j=questiondetails&_i=1183&nav=+%26gt%3B+%3Ca+href%3D%27index.php%3F_a%3Dknow ledgebase%26_j%3Dsubcat%26_i%3D64%27%3ESkype+Pro%3 C%2Fa%3E

Nice try: http://support.skype.com/index.php?_a=knowledgebase&_j=questiondetails&_i=1183&nav=+%26gt%3B+%3Ca+href%3D%27index.php%3F_a%3Dknow ledgebase%26_j%3Dsubcat%26_i%3D64%27%3ESkype+Pro%3 C%2Fa%3E

My question still stands, for calls from Europe to a U.S. number is there per min fees charged while registered to a U.S. address with SkypePro?

My question still stands, for calls from Europe to a U.S. number is there per min fees charged while registered to a U.S. address with SkypePro?Yes, because the call must originate in the US or Canada, as explained in the SkypePro FAQ: http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/skypepro/

It absolutely does charge. Been there, done that... Look at the Betamax companies like VOIPcheap.com, etc.

Related question: Skype Pro is $3/month, and as far as I can tell includes a SkypeIn number and some other stuff. SkypeIn by itself costs more. Is there any reason a rational person would buy SkypeIn, rather than Skype Pro, or am I missing something?

Related question: Skype Pro is $3/month, and as far as I can tell includes a SkypeIn number and some other stuff. SkypeIn by itself costs more. Is there any reason a rational person would buy SkypeIn, rather than Skype Pro, or am I missing something?

I'm sure one of our Skype experts will chime in.......

But with Pro you only get a discount on a SkypeIn number, I don't think it's completely free. Pro is like $3/month but it's still month-to-month and includes free voicemail.

Having to lock-in for 12 months is attractive for now. If the needs change, others have recommended BroadVoice on here.

I am going to piggy back with a question. I have never used skype. I am planning on going to europe for two weeks during the summer. Hoping to use Skype on my TyTN II.

If i get the skype pro for one month,
1. will this simply cost me $3 per month and
2. all my calls from europe to US will be .039 cents per min and
3. my calls from whatever country im in to numbers in that country free?
4. can i cancel with no penalty after one month?

Thanks.

Yes, it does -- try, for example, http://www.IP2Location.com/

Hm, I do this alot with regular skype out and it doesn't charge me international rates

The better approach is to have someone in the US call you back on your SkypeIn. There's not extra charge for that.

Hm, I do this alot with regular skype out and it doesn't charge me international rates


Could you elaborate? You call the US while overseas?

Back to the OP question. With skypeout and access to wi-fi or wired broadband, you can call most almost any landline telephone in the world for about $0.021/min. About 15x that to call cellphones.

MisterNice

So, if I get SkypePro and I'm traveling to the US (I'm based in France), I can make free calls in the US and if i'm then traveling to Germany, I can call all German landlines for free? Is that correct?

So, if I get SkypePro and I'm traveling to the US (I'm based in France), I can make free calls in the US and if i'm then traveling to Germany, I can call all German landlines for free? Is that correct?

That appears to be correct except there is a connection fee when you're outside the US and calling within the country you're in. Don't forget you need a SkypeIn number if you want to give people a phone number to reach you at.

Free nationwide calls to any phone within the US and Canada

Skype Pro subscribers get free calls to any phone within the US and Canada. If you travel to any of the following countries/regions you’ll pay nothing for landline calls made within that country/region as well, except for a small connection fee.

Available in Argentina (Buenos Aires and Cordoba only), Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France (Metropolitan only), Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico (Mexico City and Monterrey only), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK (01 and 02 numbers only).

I'll chime in...

I'm living in Japan and use Skype extensively. This is what I've discovered about Skype Unlimited, SkypeIn, and call forwarding:

With Skype Unlimited tied to a US-based Skype account, I'd assumed that any calls to the US from Japan would be free. This was not the case. I think that because I was calling from a Japanese IP, I was charged the standard SkypeOut rates for my calls to the US plus the connection fees. Fortunately, I complained and Skype reversed the $29.95 Skype Unlimited fee.

My US-based SkypeIn number works great. All calls seem to go through as advertised and none of my family or friends have complained. It has been well worth the $30 (if I remember correctly) promotional rate that I paid. I'll often ask people to call me back on my SkypeIn number if it's going to be a long call.

Call forwarding also works as promised. I set my forwarding preferences to my home phone & mobile phone if I don't pick up on the computer (or on my Phillips Skype/landline phone :)). I've noticed that when I miss a call at home, both my landline and cell phones will ring @ nearly the same time when the call forwards! Of note-Skype has properly forwarded during my internet connection's occasional siesta. Furthermore, it seems that I only get charged for forwarding if I (or my mobile voicemail) actually answer the call. Seems fair.

Even with the occasional bad connection or dropped call, using Skype has been better than paying $1 a minute on my cell phone or whatever NTT is charging for calls these days. The only downside? Free incoming calls on SkypeIn mean that I no longer have a 7600 mile buffer to keep my mother from "just checking in".:rolleyes:

I'll chime in...

I'm living in Japan and use Skype extensively. This is what I've discovered about Skype Unlimited, SkypeIn, and call forwarding:

With Skype Unlimited tied to a US-based Skype account, I'd assumed that any calls to the US from Japan would be free. This was not the case. I think that because I was calling from a Japanese IP, I was charged the standard SkypeOut rates for my calls to the US plus the connection fees. Fortunately, I complained and Skype reversed the $29.95 Skype Unlimited fee.

My US-based SkypeIn number works great. All calls seem to go through as advertised and none of my family or friends have complained. It has been well worth the $30 (if I remember correctly) promotional rate that I paid. I'll often ask people to call me back on my SkypeIn number if it's going to be a long call.

Call forwarding also works as promised. I set my forwarding preferences to my home phone & mobile phone if I don't pick up on the computer (or on my Phillips Skype/landline phone :)). I've noticed that when I miss a call at home, both my landline and cell phones will ring @ nearly the same time when the call forwards! Of note-Skype has properly forwarded during my internet connection's occasional siesta. Furthermore, it seems that I only get charged for forwarding if I (or my mobile voicemail) actually answer the call. Seems fair.

Even with the occasional bad connection or dropped call, using Skype has been better than paying $1 a minute on my cell phone or whatever NTT is charging for calls these days. The only downside? Free incoming calls on SkypeIn mean that I no longer have a 7600 mile buffer to keep my mother from "just checking in".:rolleyes:

Thanks! ^ I was hoping to get a reply from someone who uses it the same way as you described. This was original plan for getting Skype.

But to be clear, your forwarded calls to you landline in Japan are free? That was the appeal of getting SkypePro for $3/month.

What about when your computer is off and forwarding is on, it still forwards correctly?

What about when your computer is off and forwarding is on, it still forwards correctly?

I use it a lot for my other half to call me when I'm in the US. She rings a local London number and it diverts through to my US cell.

It works correctly, I'd estimate 90% of the time. Sometimes it does end up going to my Skype voicemail (a function I use a bit to people I need to give a phone number to, but don't really want to speak to; Insurance companies, say, when you're searching for a quote who then bombard you with calls) That can be frustrating.

It also takes quite a number of rings for it to start ringing on the number to which you have diverted calls to. Some people have hung up before my cell started ringing.

A solution I've start to employ whilst in the US is using JaJah's direct calling. I grew increasingly frustrated by not being able to make cheap, international calls from my cell. The T mobile to go charges for calling overseas are high. But I now call a 646 number (local to my 646 cell number, but any regular US number would work) that Jajah assigns to each of my saved contacts. So it's an anytime wherever minute on T-Mobile plus the Jajah charges to whereever I'm calling. 20c a minute or so to a UK mobile, instead of $1.50, I think, for a standard T-Mobile call.

And before anyone mentions it, yes, I know about one suite but they won't touch you without a US billing address credit card, and for some reason rejected my attempts to do it with paypal.

One of the other benefits is that you can call US toll-free numbers from anywhere for free. Helps, if you have to attend a lot of conference calls while on the move. As for forwarding, worked well for my US based SkypeIn number. Whenever I travel anywhere in Asia, I just buy a local SIM-card for my unlocked mobile phone and forward my Skype# to it. Saves a lot on roaming charges.

Thanks! ^ I was hoping to get a reply from someone who uses it the same way as you described. This was original plan for getting Skype.

But to be clear, your forwarded calls to you landline in Japan are free? That was the appeal of getting SkypePro for $3/month.

What about when your computer is off and forwarding is on, it still forwards correctly?

I'm sorry if I was misleading...forwarded calls to my Japanese landline are not free because I'm using the basic SkypeOut service. As far as whether SkypePro would cover the cost - I couldn't tell you as I don't use that service.

With the computer off and forwarding on, everything forwards properly. When you set your forwarding preferences, your computer sends the information to Skype's servers and they handle the proper routing.

In response to the forwarding delays - this is sometime a factor. By the time my cellphone rings, the caller occasionally has hung up due to the time they spent waiting or because the call was sent to my Skype Voicemail. I accept this as just the way things are.

I've used Skype for years, but always have problems with one particular thing. When I try to get my voicemail off my business land line, it won't recognize the digits that I'm entering. Accessing bank by phone is also finicky.

I've gone to internet cafes and used other VOIP programs and had no problems. Anyone else have these problems?

betamax is lightyears ahead of Skype.
a lot cheaper and more versatile.

betamax is lightyears ahead of Skype...Perhaps, but with a very unfortunate choice of name. What were they thinking, or isn't there anyone there over 25?

Perhaps, but with a very unfortunate choice of name. What were they thinking, or isn't there anyone there over 25?

betamax is just the holding group company (which itself belongs to Finarea).
The brands are things like Voipbuster (and VoipbusterPro), Voipcheap, Voipstunt and a few others...

Skype never used to be this complicated. It's clear Ebay put some of their "wisdom" into it.

betamax is lightyears ahead of Skype.
a lot cheaper and more versatile.

Betamax VoIP accused of fraud

http://saunderslog.com/2008/01/23/betamax-voip-accused-of-fraud/

I have no opinion on Betamax, don't know if they are good or bad .. just googled this thread.

Anyway, I'll check Betamax, I use Skype since some time and it works quite well for me.

Appreciate your advice for the following scenario...

o Going to France later this year.
o Have a UK Virgin sim with pay as you go...also have a US AT&T sim
o Have US Skype account, but just let the US unlimited plan expire...
o Have a quad band phone but not Skype compatible

Can anyone suggest if some combination of Skype would work for me to
1) allow friends/fam to call me in France w/ UK or US sim w/o costing big $$
2) allow me to call home in US using my UK or US sim without costing big $$

Thanks in advance.

Family-to-you:
Use your US phone # and setup call forwarding to your UK SIM phone #.
You family pays as if calling US long distance or nothing if the same area code. You pay for forwarding only - SkypeOut rates to UK mobile.

You-to-family.
Not very flexible, but you can get a UK SkypeIn number and set it up to forward to your family home #. Then you just need to call it from your UK mobile. Here you would pay mobile-to-UK# + SkypeOut rate for US. But for this scenario I would suggest using phone card.

I'm a longtime heavy Skype user and I use it mostly outside of the US. I have never paid a cent to call a US freephone number from anywhere in the world. Last year, when Skype had free US calling, I also never paid a cent to Skype-Out to any US number from anywhere in the world. This year I decided not to do the new Skype Pro, and I pay something like 1 or 2 cents per minute to call any US number from anywhere in the world.

I also use Skype-In with a US and a French number. That also doesn't cost me a cent when someone calls me. However if I turn on the forwarding to my French mobile number, it costs a lot!

Skype-Out to most non-US cell phones costs a lot too. Over 34 cents per minute to a cell phone in Kenya for instance.

so what happens to your IP when you use something like Anonymiser?
Ive had skypepro for a long time and indeed have an early dual phone from philips, the 321. While i would not recommend it to anyone because it is an outmoded design, requiring the puter to be on, i wouldnt be without it. i have found skypepro saves me a fortune even tho i only get the free calls within australia and then only to landlines. even so, it is cheaper for me to use skype for calls to mobiles, than use my landline provider, because the connection fee is so much less.

2. all my calls from europe to US will be .039 cents per min and


Do you work for AT&T Mobile (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=787665&highlight=data+rate) ;)

Do you work for AT&T Mobile (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=787665&highlight=data+rate) ;)

:o

As soon as I think I've got this figured out, I end up wandering down a wrong path. Here's my scenario:

I'm going to be in Hong Kong (trade show) and Beijing (personal time) the end of April. As a Verizon customer, there are no options with my cell phone. The trip is two weeks long, total.

I need to be in contact with fellow travelers while in Hong Kong. Rumor has it if I push Verizon hard enough, they have rental phones for short term use in Asia that would function with my current mobile number. Haven't been able to check that out yet.

I'll have internet access and my laptop at both hotels, and am considering Skype as an option for staying in touch with my family in the U.S. Probably don't need to worry about them calling me, but do need to know I can call them.

Okay, brilliant folks out there--what's my best solution?

Thanks in advance!

As soon as I think I've got this figured out, I end up wandering down a wrong path. Here's my scenario:

I'm going to be in Hong Kong (trade show) and Beijing (personal time) the end of April. As a Verizon customer, there are no options with my cell phone. The trip is two weeks long, total.

I need to be in contact with fellow travelers while in Hong Kong. Rumor has it if I push Verizon hard enough, they have rental phones for short term use in Asia that would function with my current mobile number. Haven't been able to check that out yet.

I'll have internet access and my laptop at both hotels, and am considering Skype as an option for staying in touch with my family in the U.S. Probably don't need to worry about them calling me, but do need to know I can call them.

Okay, brilliant folks out there--what's my best solution?

Thanks in advance!

Skype seems like a great idea. Depending on where you are and how important sound quality is you can buy a headset or not. I usually just use my iPod headphones and the built in speaker on my MacBook Pro. It is decent enough for talking to the family. I have also in the pass hooked up my bluetooth earpiece to the computer and used it as a headset like you would use it for your phone (not sure if your computer has bluetooth).

There are loads of companies that will rent you a cell phone. Or you can just buy a super cheap phone in Mong Kok and a pre-paid SIM at a 7/11. That is the probably the best way for local calls. Use Skype-In and Out for the US.

As soon as I think I've got this figured out, I end up wandering down a wrong path. Here's my scenario:

I'm going to be in Hong Kong (trade show) and Beijing (personal time) the end of April. As a Verizon customer, there are no options with my cell phone. The trip is two weeks long, total.

I need to be in contact with fellow travelers while in Hong Kong. Rumor has it if I push Verizon hard enough, they have rental phones for short term use in Asia that would function with my current mobile number. Haven't been able to check that out yet.

I'll have internet access and my laptop at both hotels, and am considering Skype as an option for staying in touch with my family in the U.S. Probably don't need to worry about them calling me, but do need to know I can call them.

Okay, brilliant folks out there--what's my best solution?

Thanks in advance!

Since you don't need to worry about incoming calls, why don't you just buy an unlocked phone in HK and then buy local pre-paid SIMs in HK and China? Verizon will supposedly get you a GSM phone and a SIM with your Verizon number on short notice, but to me the fact that you have to go through this hassle makes me wonder why anyone would be a Verizon customer.

If you are not already using Skype, you must be one of the last business travellers who is not -- it works great, most places. More and more ISPs are doing packet shaping that is degrading or blocking service, but still, it works fine 90% of the time. I don't see a local SIM and Skype as an either-or choice -- get both.

If you are not already using Skype, you must be one of the last business travellers who is not

Unless you're calling other Skype users, Skype is expensive!

Unless you're calling other Skype users, Skype is expensive!

You must have a different definition of expensive than I do!

Note that you can price your Skype utilization in different currencies. It would make a lot of sense to choose US dollars rather than Euros at this time.

Thank you, thank you, polonius--that helps. I feel like giving Verizon a shot at the short term rental so the other folks traveling to the same trade show don't have to track a second phone number for me is smart, but....

...will I be paying higher rates using the SIM chip and phone from Verizon as opposed to buying a pre-paid and chip in Hong Kong and Beijing?

Sorry to be such a newbie at this; your gracious patience is SO appreciated!

I thought Verizon dont do GSM.

MIsterNice

You must have a different definition of expensive than I do!

Note that you can price your Skype utilization in different currencies. It would make a lot of sense to choose US dollars rather than Euros at this time.

Yup, calling countries like Singapore is dirt cheap, cheaper than the cell phone chrages or even public phone charges, just 2.4 cents per minute, even to mobile lines.

I thought Verizon dont do GSM.

MIsterNice

Verizon now has the Crackberry World Phone and also rents GSM phones through their partner Vodaphone.

Well, I caved. Found a good deal on an unlocked GSM phone on eBay (quad band), so I bought it and will pick up SIM cards in Hong Kong and Beijing.

Is there a difference in rates between them (assuming they have different providers)? I'm guessing yes, and that the rates are posted on the packaging.

First stop in HK will be 7/11!

Well, I caved. Found a good deal on an unlocked GSM phone on eBay (quad band), so I bought it and will pick up SIM cards in Hong Kong and Beijing.

Is there a difference in rates between them (assuming they have different providers)? I'm guessing yes, and that the rates are posted on the packaging.

First stop in HK will be 7/11!

Re, China and HK SIMS, there are lots of different cell operators and lots more rate plans. In China, I like China Mobile with the 12593 add on for international calls (you need to register for this and the discount only applies to calls made from your home market... e.g. Beijing).

I've been using a Verizon phone and SIM here for years and have never had any problems (same goes for Sprint). In fact, until about a year ago, all incoming calls on Verizon were 100% free.

Back on topic -->

Regarding Skype, I use a proxy to mask my IP address, so I'm curious how they go about locating me to charge the "connection fee".

Regarding Skype, I use a proxy to mask my IP address, so I'm curious how they go about locating me to charge the "connection fee".

They do the location based on the public IP that they see you coming in from. You can use VPN's to make yourself appear to be somewhere you aren't.

Re, China and HK SIMS, there are lots of different cell operators and lots more rate plans. In China, I like China Mobile with the 12593 add on for international calls (you need to register for this and the discount only applies to calls made from your home market... e.g. Beijing).

Where/how does someone sign up for the 12593 "add on" (is this the same as IDD?)?

Same thing for HK (with a different carrier)?

Where/how does someone sign up for the 12593 "add on" (is this the same as IDD?)?

Same thing for HK (with a different carrier)?

12593 is a prepending number that works with China Mobile. Anyone can use it, but you don't get the savings unless you register for the discount service. I think you can do this by calling your operator, but I did it in person at a China Mobile store.

The situation in HK is much better; there are tons of prepend numbers there that require no registration whatsoever. Just try to get a SIM card that melds well with your calling style (lots of trade-offs: quality, free incoming, roaming, etc).

Note that you can price your Skype utilization in different currencies. It would make a lot of sense to choose US dollars rather than Euros at this time.
With the high euro and low dollar, I converted my euro (about 8,50 EUR) account to dollars yesterday. I ended up with more dollars than it cost to get the 10 EUR account in the first place! The connection fee is now essentially 1/3 the price to boot.

You must have a different definition of expensive than I do!


Definition of "expensive" is always in comparison with the alternatives.
VoipbusterPro: €5.95 yearly subscription and 1-hour calls to landlines in 45+ countries at €0.046 per hour.
Voipbuster: No subscription, calls to most major destinations cost either nothing or €0.012 per minute.
Skype: No similar international service. Choice of "domestic" SkypePro at a higher subscription. All international calls charged at rates higher than €0.015 per minute, even with dollar pricing.

(FYI, I included VAT in all prices above)

There is no contest.

Just try to get a SIM card that melds well with your calling style (lots of trade-offs: quality, free incoming, roaming, etc).

Which is impossible to do in most smaller shops, unless one speaks Cantonese (possibly Mandarin at a push).

Definition of "expensive" is always in comparison with the alternatives.
VoipbusterPro: €5.95 yearly subscription and 1-hour calls to landlines in 45+ countries at €0.046 per hour.
Voipbuster: No subscription, calls to most major destinations cost either nothing or €0.012 per minute.
Skype: No similar international service. Choice of "domestic" SkypePro at a higher subscription. All international calls charged at rates higher than €0.015 per minute, even with dollar pricing.

Wait, you just said that voipbusterpro is .046 per hour. Skype is .021 to most all landlines per minute, but I never make calls for more than a minute or two, so it works out the same. And what are the prices to call mobile phones with Voipbuster?

With Skype, calls to US 800 numbers are free from anywhere in the world. Same for Voipbuster?

And the big reason: SKype has a hundred million registered users that I can easily do chat sessions and free calls or conference calls with. Same for Voipbuster?

Nowadays, about a 1/3 of the customers and colleagues I deal with around the world either put their Skype address in the mail sig, or have it on their business card.

There is no contest!

Wait, you just said that voipbusterpro is .046 per hour. Skype is .021 to most all landlines per minute, but I never make calls for more than a minute or two, so it works out the same.

There is nothing stopping you from having an account with voipbuster for short calls @ €0.012 per minute (viz €0.0154 for skype) for the short calls. You can have a voipbusterpro account in addition to that.
That's in addition to the 45+ FREE destinations that cost you NOTHING to call.

And what are the prices to call mobile phones with Voipbuster?

They're generally cheaper than Skypeout. You can see the exact rates here (http://www.voipbuster.com/en/calling-rates.html).

With Skype, calls to US 800 numbers are free from anywhere in the world. Same for Voipbuster?

Never made one, but I'm pretty certain they will be. 0800 numbers in the UK definitely are (and 0845, 0870 are A LOT cheaper, too).

SKype has a hundred million registered users that I can easily do chat sessions and free calls or conference calls with. Same for Voipbuster?
Nowadays, about a 1/3 of the customers and colleagues I deal with around the world either put their Skype address in the mail sig, or have it on their business card.

Since it is solely a word-of-mouth thing with minimal (if any) marketing/advertising, Voipbuster doesn't have as big a user base as Skype, though you can call free across the Betamax brands and that will be a few million users in total (don't know exact numbers). I agree Skype is better for pc-to-pc calls, as, in addition to having more users, it also offers video calls. Personally, I use Skype for pc-to-pc calls.

The 1/3 thing varies greatly across countries and subgroups. For example, my friends who use Yahoo are a lot different in terms of age/location makeup from those using ICQ, who in turn are a lot different from those using MSN.



There is no contest!

Indeed, as Skype doesn't give you the option to do phone-to-phone calls (meaning you can enjoy the VOIP rates even if you only have a dodgy dial-up connection), is at least 100% more expensive for SMS, and needs special equipment to function with normal phones, as opposed to the simple ATA adapter required by providers working with the SIP protocol (including Voipbuster and all the Betamax brands).
Skype's a product that's less advanced and more expensive than the competition. But it does have great marketing, which means a lot of users, which means it's good for pc-to-pc calls (which is what my previous post had been about anyway!).

They're generally cheaper than Skypeout. You can see the exact rates here (http://www.voipbuster.com/en/calling-rates.html).

You should look at Skype's rates. They are a LOT cheaper than Voipbuster for calls I make. How can you use a service that charges .389 cents to a Dutch mobile? Skype is 27 cents.

And Magicjack is just 24 cents to Dutch mobiles and only $19.95 a year for unlimited US calls. Comes with a US based landline number too. Works out much cheaper than Skype.

I've never been too impressed with the Skype international rates

And Magicjack is just 24 cents to Dutch mobiles and only $19.95 a year for unlimited US calls.

Well since Skype is only 2 cents a minute to the US, I'd have to stay on the phone an awful long time to rack up $19.95. All these different services are targeting different markets.

However I'm not really interested in saving pennies. You can save lots of dollars by using any kind of VoIP service instead of paying hotel rates and GSM roaming rates. So comparing VoIP rates is a bit of a waste of time to me. Usability is most important and since most of the people in my circle of calling use Skype, that is what I use.

You should look at Skype's rates. They are a LOT cheaper than Voipbuster for calls I make. How can you use a service that charges .389 cents to a Dutch mobile? Skype is 27 cents.

I said it's mostly cheaper...not always cheaper.
A friend of mine in Greece uses Q-Telecom. €0.202 per minute on voipbuster, viz €0.275 for Skype. TBH, no matter which provider you choose, mobile calls are always expensive and I try to minimise them by timing my call to increase the probability that the person I want to speak to is available on a landline.


As I said in my previous post, however, what sets Voipbuster (and the other Betamax products) apart from Skype isn't pricing even if their pricing is significantly cheaper than Skype.
The important thing is the ability to do the phone-to-phone thing and benefit from VOIP rates even without a fast/reliable connection.

Even Tiger Woods uses Skype!

Found here http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/3/28/sports/20772751&sec=sports as well as in lots of other newspapers today. I was kind of surprised to see the word Skype rather than him just saying he uses the internet.

Even Tiger Woods uses Skype!

Found here http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/3/28/sports/20772751&sec=sports as well as in lots of other newspapers today. I was kind of surprised to see the word Skype rather than him just saying he uses the internet.

See my comments on Skype marketing in previous post. :D

See my comments on Skype marketing in previous post. :D

I know all about Skype's marketing, but still I've never seen it mentioned in a sports/human interest story before, especially one syndicated world-wide. And I doubt anyone paid Tiger to say Skype. He mentioned it because he uses it and he uses it, I presume, because he likes it.

Well since Skype is only 2 cents a minute to the US, I'd have to stay on the phone an awful long time to rack up $19.95. All these different services are targeting different markets.

A lot of people upgrade to Skype Pro; and in that case it's cheaper to find a different service like the one I mentioned. A year of Skype Pro with an incoming number is $54 a year, which IMHO is quite expensive for what (little) you get.

But yes; in your case Skype Pro may not be necessary.

Thank you, thank you, polonius--that helps. I feel like giving Verizon a shot at the short term rental so the other folks traveling to the same trade show don't have to track a second phone number for me is smart, but....

...will I be paying higher rates using the SIM chip and phone from Verizon as opposed to buying a pre-paid and chip in Hong Kong and Beijing?

Sorry to be such a newbie at this; your gracious patience is SO appreciated!

Yes - your Verizon cost will be off-the-charts for calling people back home, with all the connection charges and whatnot it isn't unusual to pay $5 a minute or more in the end, you pay crazy high-cost airtime plus LD charges, and if someone calls your US number, you pay LD charges (plus intl airtime) for the incoming, too.

I was in NZ not long ago and bought a pre-paid SIM for about $50 with a bunch of airtime and the cost-per-minute to call the US was the same as it was to call NZ, something like .50/min or so, about a tenth of using my AT&T GSM number. I think many other countries work like this or in any case will at least be much cheaper than using your Verizon account to call home.

Thanks to everyone who’s chimed in on this; with your suggestions, combined with my predicted calling needs, I’m going with Skype (via my laptop) plus a new GSM phone purchased on eBay (SIM cards to be picked up in Hong Kong and Beijing). Granted, it will be a hassle to ask the business associates I’m meeting in HK to remember another phone number while there, but hey, life goes on.

I suppose I could always ask if they’d like to pick up the tab for my overseas calls if that’s too much hassle. ;)

As for the lively debate about Skype vs. Voipbuster, it’s obvious that once someone finds a service they prefer, loyalty runs deep. In the end, this is about finding a specific plan that fits with one‘s specific needs...and, thankfully, there seem to be options that do so.

Safe travels, all....

Resurrecting old thread here.

My skype number expires soon and got notice to renew. But I didn't get same notice for my annual Unlimited World subscription. When I checked their website (navigating and trying to find right page is impossible!), notice they now only offer it on a monthly Euro6.99 basis.

Anyone know when the annual plan was discontinued - assume it was a one-time promo and we're now stuck with monthly basis? And appears no discount on skype number or skype-to-go number?

Resurrecting old thread here.

My skype number expires soon and got notice to renew. But I didn't get same notice for my annual Unlimited World subscription. When I checked their website (navigating and trying to find right page is impossible!)
What does your Skype account show?

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/03/skype-handles-more-international-calls-than-att.ars

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Skype-Sees-Huge-International-Growth-101516?nocomment=1

No one else? :D