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-   -   Skype is closing down (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/skype-closing-down-954163/)

spainrico Mar 6th 2025 8:43 pm

Skype is closing down
 
Skype has come to the end of its life and is being closed down in May.

I use WhatsApp to call friends/family for free but use Skype and pay a small fee to call the UK for any 'business' calls - so (my O2 deal does not include free UK calls) I am wondering what to replace skype with - any ideas?

bobd22 Mar 6th 2025 9:12 pm

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Originally Posted by spainrico (Post 13301958)
Skype has come to the end of its life and is being closed down in May.

I use WhatsApp to call friends/family for free but use Skype and pay a small fee to call the UK for any 'business' calls - so (my O2 deal does not include free UK calls) I am wondering what to replace skype with - any ideas?

I use Moremins to make calls to the UK it is cheap easy to use and works. To use it though you need a SIM with free minutes my Spanish SIM has free national minutes . Somehow by registering my details with Moremins from their app I make a call to UK it then uses my free Spanish national minutes and takes off my Moremins credit 2 cents per minute, the receiver in UK or wherever I call sees the call as coming from my Spanish number. I have been using it for a few years without problems. I top it up 4.50 euros when needed which usually lasts the whole year which includes family calls. It's simple and effective worth a look.
https://www.moremins.com/en

dmu Mar 6th 2025 10:23 pm

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Originally Posted by spainrico (Post 13301958)
Skype has come to the end of its life and is being closed down in May.

I use WhatsApp to call friends/family for free but use Skype and pay a small fee to call the UK for any 'business' calls - so (my O2 deal does not include free UK calls) I am wondering what to replace skype with - any ideas?

This is news to me! I, too, use WhatsApp, but I've got several friends who don't, and Skype is virtually the only direct way for us to communicate, apart from via e-mail....

BuckinghamshireBoy Mar 6th 2025 10:53 pm

Re: Skype is closing down
 
There's also some chat going on in The Maple Leaf on this matter.

I do have a couple of Skype accounts but haven't used either for a few years, WhatsApp - mostly on PC - is in daily use.

spainrico Mar 7th 2025 1:06 am

Re: Skype is closing down
 
Thanks I will check out moremins.

Yes, email and Whatsapp are fine, but I want a replacement for cheap calls to the UK when I need to talk, for example, to my UK bank or UK Tax office.

I use O2 in Spain, and my deal with them does not include cheap UK calls.


bobd22 Mar 7th 2025 4:06 am

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Originally Posted by spainrico (Post 13301988)
Thanks I will check out moremins.
.

Just one other thing you can use moremins from internet either data or wifi to call a phone number just as you do with skype. I use it via my free mins from Sim but you dont have to do that. It offers other options like esims but i dont use them. I just top up minimum amount and call vis their app for 2 cents minute. From the app you choose to call the number from either contacts or keying number in on their keypad it then offers choice of calling via sim or internet.

olivefarmer Mar 7th 2025 4:27 am

Re: Skype is closing down
 
Teams. That is what they want you to use after Skype is withdrawn.

You could use FaceTime if all the users are on Apple products. Works well.

PoloMarco Mar 7th 2025 6:41 am

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Originally Posted by olivefarmer (Post 13302020)
Teams. That is what they want you to use after Skype is withdrawn.

You could use FaceTime if all the users are on Apple products. Works well.

FaceTime is also available on other platforms not exclusively Apple. Not quite as slick but works fine.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/109364

Mark604 Mar 7th 2025 8:28 am

Re: Skype is closing down
 
The point is, the alternatives mentioned need the receiver to have the same thing, like with Whatsapp, no?
I use Skype for ringing normal landline numbers. I'm trying to find an alternative as well but just to do that. Ring the DVLA, DHL, Pension office etc.without it being paid for from my SIM card account. Something totally independent/separate I can add some money to and leave it at that.

growinspain Mar 7th 2025 9:58 am

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Originally Posted by Mark604 (Post 13302053)
The point is, the alternatives mentioned need the receiver to have the same thing, like with Whatsapp, no?
I use Skype for ringing normal landline numbers. I'm trying to find an alternative as well but just to do that. Ring the DVLA, DHL, Pension office etc.without it being paid for from my SIM card account. Something totally independent/separate I can add some money to and leave it at that.

I am looking at an orange package to replace my skype bi-monthly subscription to phone the US.. 15 eur a month for 1000?) minutes or so of international calls and 50gb internet...

bobd22 Mar 7th 2025 8:53 pm

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Originally Posted by Mark604 (Post 13302053)
The point is, the alternatives mentioned need the receiver to have the same thing, like with Whatsapp, no?
I use Skype for ringing normal landline numbers. I'm trying to find an alternative as well but just to do that. Ring the DVLA, DHL, Pension office etc.without it being paid for from my SIM card account. Something totally independent/separate I can add some money to and leave it at that.

That is what i use moremins for along with odd call to family. You just phone their normal phone number .

spainrico Mar 7th 2025 9:09 pm

Re: Skype is closing down
 
Yes Mark604 that was my point - finding the cheapest way to make a standard call to official telephone numbers - moremins looks like a solution..

bobd22 Mar 7th 2025 10:29 pm

Re: Skype is closing down
 
[QUOTE=spainrico;13302092]Yes Mark604 that was my point - finding the cheapest way to make a standard call to official telephone numbers - moremins looks like a solution..[/QUOTE

Lowest cost top up on moremins is 4 euro credit lasts 12 months. If you havent used up your credit and top up before 12 months is up then remaining credit roles over. Once you get used to the app its really easy to call numbers either from your contacts list or via the apps key pad. I have been using it for about 5 years now without issues. At 2 cents per minute from your credit i dont think you will find a cheaper payg set up to call uk landline or mobile numbers.

The Beast Mar 7th 2025 10:49 pm

Re: Skype is closing down
 
Best system out there. Freecall.com.
Still have an account with a few euros in it, though not used for years. Ideal for your situation.
The deal may have changed but it is still free to call landlines in UK if you have money in account.

bobd22 Mar 7th 2025 11:14 pm

Re: Skype is closing down
 
Found another simple option Mytello I have never used this one but like Moremins it looks simple to use with low cost top ups which have no time limit expiry. From what i can see calls are 5 cent connection fee and 1 cent per minute there after to call landlines and 5 cents per minute mobiles.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...mytello.dialup


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