skype is it really cheap ?
 

hi , have been using skype now for quite a while BUT..have noticed that I am really paying a lot of money, like £9 odd every 2 weeks, Yep , I know maybe thats because I use the phone a lot BUT ..anybody know if VOIP is cheaper?? maybe the laternative is to stop gassing so much, thanks,pat

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

I use skype but not to phone landlines - us my pc with a mic but can only talk to others with the same set up - but thats all FREE

Maybe the answer is to get the people you are phoning on a pc rather than phoning them on a fixed line ?

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

I use Voipstunt. FREE calls to landlines and cheap rates to mobiles, 18c per minute.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

is it international free calls to land lines ? if so can you give me more info on how to set it up, thanks :thumbsup:

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

It is totally free to land lines. I put on 10 E per three months that I use to phone my son (NO land line ) We phone all our friends and family daily for free we chat for up to an hour. it then cuts off and we re dial, It is fantastic the link is Voipcheap.com.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

There is also www.sightspeed.com

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

great thanks - will look it up now :thumbsup:

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Skype really isnt that cheap. Check www.freecall.co.uk or www.voipcheap.co.uk.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Hi gallerie :)

Just a question about re-dialling after the first hour is up (when you get disconnected)
Have you found that you then get charged 1 cent a minute after the disconnection? It might be worth checking, because that's what happens to us.

Also, to the original poster:
We have found Voipcheap to be generally good (and with clearer lines/no dropout like you can get with Skype)
However, we are currently finding that, having used our 300 minutes that you're allowed free every 7 days, we now seem to be paying 2 cents a minute! I know it's not a lot, but we're trying to find out why it's happening.
Also, be aware that if you phone and the other line is engaged, they still charge you the 5 cent connection fee - even though you obviously haven't been able to "connect!"

Sounds like I'm being a bit petty about relatively small amounts of money - but with O/H being in the States at the moment, I've noticed these little points!
I don't mind paying if I know why these things are happening!! :)

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

I phone Spain from the UK every day, I found a telephone company on the internet (Dialwise) which has cheap access numbers. It only costs half a pence per minute! The call quality is usually excellent too, except on certain days of the week, like Sundays, when I think the world and his wife are phoning their friends and family.

Kyla

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Hi I use InternetCalls, I put 10 euros on and get 120 free days to all land lines (Spain,UK and USA) and only get charged for calls to mobiles at a much cheaper rate than Skype. Sound quality is good and only drops out after about an hour.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

I use skype pro. Go to skype and it's advrtised.

Costs €2 per month. Only pay connection then calls to landlines are free. Of course if you make hundreds of calls the connection charges mount up, but we have used it and stayed on for quite a while without any additional cost.

I tried voipcheap.com but kept getting cut off after a very short while on the phone. Very annoying. So back to skype, which is a good service.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

I only use skype with a web cam other than that I use www.europhonecards.org calls are so cheap that I can't be bother with skype.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Derek just downloaded the software and made a call to UK - it cut me off after 2 mins as said my credit had expired ? can you help ?

also when I dialled the UK number my home phone here rang and I made the call that way - is that what you do ? I thought it was through the pc ?

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

doh just realised you are using Voipstunt and I have signed up to Voipcheap

mmmmmmm

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Don't put your telephone number in the 'direct callback' box. You have to pay for that service that's why it says you have no credit.

Just put the telephone number you are calling in the box to the left of the green telephone.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

great thanks - just tried it and it worked fine

cant believe that the calls are free - is there no catch at all ?

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

ok another question

if you click on "direct call" ( leave your phone number blank) put in the number you want to dial

you make the call through your phone (rather than the pc) is there a charge for that ?

sorry new to all this and just "playing around" with it

:thumbsup:

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

If you don't put a telephone number in direct call you have to use the PC. I'm not quite sure what you mean!

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

another question - sorry

I have made a few calls fine and crystal clear line

I havent purchased any credit as yet

when the call gets to 5 mins it cuts off :confused: (this has happened a few times )

do I have to buy credit so that it doesnt do that ?

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

When I first used Voipstunt I could talk for some time then it was gradually reduced. Now I get the same 5 minute limit.

I also have an account with Voipcheap to which I uploaded some credit but I never did get any free calls and no response to my questions so I won't uploading any more credit when it expires.

I still prefer Skype. It works every time, Skype Out is reasonably priced and, most important of all, I can use it without my computer being switched on.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

We are looking into how to gain cheaper calls to UK. Could you explain what SkypeOut is please as we are quite ignorant of much of the technology around phones.

Rosemary

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

This explains Skype Out:

http://support.skype.com/index.php?_..._j=subcat&_i=5

And here are the rates:

http://www.skype.com/intl/en/product...all_rates.html

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Thanks

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Hey guys, this whole thread was REALLY helpful for me, I wonder if the mods could make it a sticky?

Thanks guys x

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

There are loads of usefull threads on here, if I made them all stickies the new threads would start on page 20. ;-)
Just type Skype into the search and two pages of threads mentioning it will show.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Haha, good point, and thanks :)

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

VoipStunt is Free??!! IE pay 10€ credit for 120 days free usage,

However if you are not a great phone user, this isnt cheap, for example if you only make say three international calls per week for 5 mins, that would cost you 10€ for 257mins of calls, IE 3.8 cents per minute. You could get a cheaper system, but if you use it each day for 1 hour that then works out 120 hours of calls for 10€. VOIPSTUNT, is the only system so far that i have found that allows this, which is really a good deal, most other companies either charge for connection then free, or have a very low permin rate for landline calls, IE SKYPE. SKYPE has many more features, IE video calling etc.
I have been using VOIPStunt and find it to be great value. I find the direct callback feature the best as the quality of call is nearly always very very good, without the usually echo and reverb you get when using PC direct.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

hi, have read all your replies and although I have skype I downloaded voip and put some money on it,well, tried to make a call and nobody can hear me, it sounds as though the sound is coming out of my pc and not my skype telephone?? bit odd er...

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

I would like to point out being an ex bt engineer that skype is Voip as voip means Voice over internet protocol:unsure: :unsure:

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

I have skype.....and a skype phone - use skype out to call....but after this thread downloaded internet calls and voipcheap.com...

When you say voice over the internet...does that mean i can't use my shype phone using these....:o

So embarrassed I am probably being really blonde :p

Tried ringing can hear the other person but can't speak....had to ring them on skype 2 let them know it was me....not a crank caller :eek:

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Can you ???? How :confused: .....that'd be great as I turn the pc off as it's too noisy of an evening ...as we have the PC plugged into the TV.

Can you tell me how to do this as is says Voip users not connected...or something like that....

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

have a look on amazon cheapest place to buy them but you can get pc free skype phones no pc needed and there are a couple of wifi one that will even work in mikky dees and on any cloud wifi network avalible in most European airports and malls like corte englais if you want i can post the links to the poducts

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Compo...5017804&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-SPH1...5017804&sr=8-6

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DUALphone-30...5017804&sr=8-9

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-VOIP...017804&sr=8-11

first two reqire wifi router but work anywhere where there is a wifi network lots of unsecure network around

second two only work at home but are relible products

need any more advice let me know i used to be in charge of bt`s internet backbone and i love tech stuff my wife hates it but i waste a lot of money.

but its fun

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

:rofl:

Aw thanks ever so much you're a sweetie....I'm sooo not techy, Mr E's in IT but when it comes to home it's "wait!!!"....tut tut tut....

Cheers will look into that when kids have finally succumbed to sleep :p

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

i wish they would go to sleep but one of thems five weeks old

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

Aaaaaaaawww bless ! Congratulations to you and your OH .....hope for your sanity it's baby no. 2 :p

I still go all clucky over babies, I get all butterflies in my stomach but would DIE if I had demon no. 3....

Girl or boy ??????

I love kids.......even tho they torture our minds :rofl:

xxxxx

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

I have one of these:

http://dualphone.net/DUALphone_3088_for_Skype-789.aspx

It plugs directly into a router LAN port but can only be used with Skype. It does not work with other VOIP networks.

It also works as a normal cordless PSTN phone.

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

yes, but , can i use my skype phone with voipbuster pro ???? do i really need to buy a head set?? thanks,pat

Re: skype is it really cheap ?
 

well been using voipcheap for a week or so now

very pleased with it - made loads of free calls with good connection and sound (no echo at all)

also been using it for text messaging - much cheaper than with my mobile 5c each as opposed to 50c

:thumbsup: