Skype...?

[ThinkPad]

Has anyone used this software or any other web based phone call program to make calls?

If so how do you like it?

[qviri]

Are you interested in computer-to-computer calls, or computer-to-landline?

[ThinkPad]

Probably computer to landline...

[RealBlackStuff]

We are using SIP for long-distance and international calls.
We have a daughter in Switzerland (also with a SIP unit) and most of our family is spread all over Europe. Her husband organized it for us, but you can get it yourself too.
My unit is registered in Switzerland with a 0041- number, and any calls I make, I dial as if I were in Switzerland (e.g. call USA=001-, IRELAND=00353-, UK=0044- etc).
People calling us in the USA just dial our (Swiss) number.
It uses the Linksys SPA1001, which plugs directly into my router. http://tinyurl.com/27la4d
This model seems to have been discontinued and replaced by: http://www.voiplink.com/Linksys_PAP2T_N ... p2t-na.htm
I use a wireless 5.8GHz General Electric Model 25836-EE1 phone, the base of which plugs into the Linksys unit.
I can walk throughout the house, or even into the garden and make whatever calls I want. We have saved quite a bundle using it.
In my opinion it is far superior to the sometimes flaky Skype...

I should add that SIP does not use/need any software at all, and it will also work all the time, without having to have a PC switched on.

Check it out here: http://www.sipcall.ch/ or http://www.sipcall-voip.com/
Tariffs: http://www.sipcall.ch/d/tariff/list.php
Most calls to European countries as well as USA (from SIP to a llandline) are only 4.9 Rappen = US$ 0.043 per minute.

[bhurley]

I have used Skype to make phone calls to landlines in the US and overseas and my experience has been mixed...occasional dropped calls, sound quality varies, sometimes the person on the other end couldn't hear me but I could hear them. I wouldn't rely on it for business although I have used it for personal calls. I do have colleagues who use it for business; it probably works best if you have cable internet or better, rather than DSL. Definitely doesn't work with satellite internet in remote locations; I have a friend in Ireland who tried to use it that way and it didn't work at all.

I use Vonage now for my business line, with a regular telephone, and that has been much more reliable. Still flaky at times and I frequently get an echo, but it works and it allows me to have a virtual phone number in Washington DC (or anywhere else Vonage operates). Vonage's days appeared to be numbered earlier this year due to all the lawsuits, so I'm not viewing this as a permanent solution but so far I like it better than Skype. You can also set up virtual numbers with Skype in other countries, really a good feature if you don't live where most of your clients or family live as they can reach you with a local phone call. I love that feature in both Skype and Vonage; most phone company VOIP services don't offer that.

[kippen]

I used Skype computer to computer for about six months from Germany to Idaho and I had no problems, it had less lag than anything else I tried, but it is still quite laggy.

I've made phone calls with it to Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and across the US. Thus far I haven't had a computer to landline drop, but I've only been using Skype in this fashion for about a year.

It's relatively cheap, works well, and even my mom can use it, so I like it!

[ThinkPad]

Just a quick question about the billing process.

I downloaded Skype etc and made a PC to landline call, which was 0.02c a min I think, I didnt think it would work because I had not setup a billing account or anything but the landline phone rang and connected fine.

So how does the billing actually go through? Do they send a bill to my email address?

[RealBlackStuff]

Don't know about Skype, but it's probably similar.
With SIP you have an account where you prepay online, using your credit card. We put in SFr. 50,- /ca. US$ 45.- at current rate) around April 2006 and when I checked today, there was still SFr 14.35 left, after intensive use.
I just topped it up with another SFr 150.- (minimum top-up is SFr 25.-)

[bhurley]

Just a quick question about the billing process.

I downloaded Skype etc and made a PC to landline call, which was 0.02c a min I think, I didnt think it would work because I had not setup a billing account or anything but the landline phone rang and connected fine.

So how does the billing actually go through? Do they send a bill to my email address?

They probably let you make a call or two for free without setting up an account, just to try out the service and see if it works for you. You have to purchase a "Skype Out" account and put money into it in order to continue using it. It's basically like having a prepaid cellphone. I think they have a yearly subscription option now as well.

[ThinkPad]

Thanks for the information

[mattbiernat]

anybody tried the skypephone option? i wish they had it in Europe, but oh well... can't have everything

[dmitrio]

I use betamax service webcalldirect.
for every 10 euro they offer 3months for free and then they charge small fees. no contract require. you can get phone to phone call or any SIP phone can connect to their server (check FAQ - there the instruction how to connect) personally i use wengophone.

[mattbiernat]

too late for me. i was in a really bad need for a phone and i signed up for a 2 year contract (the only one offered in poland supposedly). the part that sucks now is that im not going to stay in here for 2 years but oh well... i didn't know that back then.