Does anyone on here use skype to talk to their family in the UK? I use it in the UK so I can talk to family and friends in Oz and think it is utterly fab. Does anyone use it to call internally in Aus - is the quality the same as the calls overseas?

Hi,

We use Skype to call the UK and it works just fine, only the occasional phone call where we fade in and out, and so much cheaper than phone cards. Also ring our son on his computer and link with camera so we can see our grandchildren.

Linda

Yes we use it and find it is a life saver. I think we talk more to the family now than what we did when we were in the UK, not sure if that is a good or bad thing

Nope havent bothered - international calls are cheap as chips anyway so just go with Transact.

Does it clock up your broadband useage ? I have a broadband package in Perth with Telstra that has a 12Gig monthly limit. Is it going to eat into this ?

Hi, we have used Skype Out for a few months now and find call quality to be excellent.

1 Gb for about 40 hours if you count up and down I think

I have now subscribed to a Skype out number.
I have a local number to call (Perth number) and from dialling that, I can call any of the stored 'speed dial' numbers or any number in the world, for the price of a local call.
I use it most from my mobile phone. While driving home, I'll call my parents in the UK (via the local number) and speak for the cost of a local call, (which is free as it's a company mobile!)
The cost is 3 EUR per month and the calls are unlimited. If I call via a USB phone connected to the PC, the calls are unlimited in length and all for the 3 Euros.

If you are talking to friends in oz on skype why not ask them when you are talking to them? they will let you know the quailty.

Why dont you just buy a skype mobile. phone any one in the world for free?
Just put it in your pocket and can use it as a normal phone. Used one for a month now still amazes me!

I use Skype to cal business contacts because we use Video and I know they will be on. Using it to call your family can be a little involved and time consuming, plus it does clock up the bandwidth if you're on for hours (like my wife) then calling cards are a MUCH better option. Most of them allow you to setup accounts and can get your home number associated with your account so all you do is dial the local access number and your away. My wife is on the phone 2-3 times a week, sometimes for hours, and a $50 (£25) card lasts us months (seriously). We use the GoTalk cards from the Post Office

I'm in the US, but I love SKYPE. It's fantastic. I highly recommend it. I bought a monthly plan (not sure if they are available where you are). For $10 I get unlimited calls to 34 countries, voicemail and a skype out number. Great stuff. The calls are excellent quality and I use Skype for internal US calls too.

I have heard that this package is good for heavy users.

Excellent compared to the general standard of phone call quality in the US ? Not really that hard is it

I have a Skype mobile too.
I agree very good, though my problem is I don't too many people that use Skype (parents don't have a PC) etc. The few calls I have msade on the Skype mobile have been excellent.
Any ideas.... can you dial out to a phone number, or ONLY Skype contacts online? Not worked that out yet??

Cheers

you can dial out to a phone number we use ur skype phone to talk to family who dont have PCs and broadband.

for family with Pcs we use a mix of skype and windows live messenger (msn) as we find that occasionally skype just doesnt work and msn will it is rare that both won't work but does happen occasionally.

I used this combination to talk to my husband twice a day when I was in the UK and he was in Oz