I currently use a Skype In number and forward it. It works brilliantly, and is cheap when I forward it to a landline. However, all calls to UK mobiles are expensive and Skype is no different here.

Not forwarding it does not work because the Skype App on my iPhone barely works. It's certainly not possible to unlock the iPhone fast enough to pick up any incoming call. Does anyone know if it works better on an Android?

Most Android VOIP apps integrate better into the lock screen than iOS ones and allow you to answer the call without unlocking phone. I can't speak to Skype specifically, but it is better with Acrobits, Viber, and Line2.

On iOS, it is a race. You can get a "headstart" on the race by swiping your notification icon to the right on iOS and then entering your PIN. It will at least auto launch the app once you enter the PIN.

The Kall8 service assigns you either a toll-free 866/877/888 or 800 (extra cost) number or a POTS Seattle, Washington number which you can forward to any number that you can internationally dial. It's $2/month for 866/877/888 numbers and $5 for 800 numbers. You specify the "ring to" number with a web interface. Forwarding to land line calls in the UK are 6¢/minute from what I recall and considerably more to call a mobile number. Rates are on the Kall8 page.

The way I read Kall8's website, he would be paying $0.38 a minute for inbound on his mobile if the call forwarded to his mobile number. Obviously, he would pay less if the call came in VOIP.

I say use the O2 option. I used to use it with google voice. Then, you can call the US from google voice, and it will ring your UK mobile, but to your US number, so you can call more than just the 3 numbers they give you. Even if you have to buy a second mobile for £10 to use it, it costs like £10 a month, and is worth it for the simplicity on both your side and those back in the states.

I used http://www.localphone.com/ They assign you a US number which you can easily forward to your UK number. I think it was 8cents per minute to a Vodafone mobile. (I think skype was over 20cents). Setup was something like $4. If you want to keep your US number they charge $1 per month to keep that number. I use Google Voice already, so that was a quick easy way. Just programmed the LocalPhone US number into GV and set the local phone settings to forward to the UK number. Worked like a charm. Very easy.

You can use TalkATone App to use your GoogleVoice number to make/receive Voice/SMS calls on iOS. THere is a Andriod App of TalkATone as well.

At least originally, the Android version of Talkatone was not well rated. Android users should look at GrooveIP as an alternate to Talkatone.

Make friends with someone based in the US, buy two obi110(one for your friend) and get two free google voice accounts, pair the obi110 together so they make a bridge and hook up a local line in the UK, forward the US number through to the UK Obi110. Sorted!

+1 on the Localphone incoming number recommendation. It worked great for me on a recent trip where I put in a local SIM card (in the UK and India) into my iPhone 5. Before leaving the US, I'd forwarded my Verizon cell to the Localphone incoming number. When I got to each country, I just set that number to forward to my local SIM; really easy.

I have Google Voice and several DID's with various VoIP providers, an Obi110, and use Bria on my iPhone, so there were several ways to achieve this. In the end, I didn't want a VoIP app running in the background (chews up battery and was dependent on decent 3G data coverage everywhere).

I will make VOIP Over 3g calls on my iPhone, but I've decided I don't want to receive them that way. It chews up battery life (as noted before) and when I initiate the call I can take an educated guess whether I am in a situation where the call is likely to be ok, I can run an echo test, and have other tools that I can use to make a good guess. Lastly, I know whether the recipient of my call is someone who can cope of if the call isn't perfect. My brother is one thing, a major client is another.

Lots of good advice already. Ths part I know - Of all the call forwarding/VOIP services out there, when it comes to forwarding to international mobiles, skype is probably the most expensive. Sometimes up to 3 times what the other voip carriers charge. For receiving my calls overseas, I have both a Piranha and Ekit sim card. They both give UK/US numbers.

Piranha now offers short code call forwarding at really good rates. When I landed in Panama last month I knew I wasn't going to use Piranha for the entire trip, but did use it till I got situated with a local SIM. Then it was a quick call forward and I was done.

I suggested them in part for the UK call forward because I thought they would be good at passing caller-id to the UK, because there was no line rental, and because it is now turning into almost swiss-army knife of telecommunications.

+1 for Talkatone.

When I go to Europe, I buy a local SIM card with unlimited data, pop it in an unlocked iPhone 3GS and my wife and kids can reach me at my Google Voice number anytime via the Talkatone app. Receives calls perfectly and I can make calls to US contacts for no additional charge.

Ryan

I have been using localphone.com. Check my signature Fora referral link.