Skype pro while traveling?

Question

So am moving to Europe and deciding between Vonage and Skype to stay in touch with US friends & family.

From what I can tell, I can order Skype Pro with a US number, and have unlimited calls in and out for only 3 bucks. If I get one of these wireless handset phones, I don't even need to be near my computer (but still obviously in my house). So why pay 24,99 from Vonage for the same service???

Answer 1

All phone companies (including VoIP) make it difficult to evaluate the true cost of their calling packages.  By making a pricing structure difficult to understand, it also protects them by making it difficult to make direct side-by-side price comparisons with the competition....   More often than not, people dont' find out the "true" cost of a service until they get their first bill..... but they all do it (most do, anyway)...

I have used SkypeOut for years now and like it.

I just finished last year of free unlimited calling to USA/Canada with their old "Skype Unlimited" package.

(now called, SkypePro)

Here is how I interpret the SkypePro + SkypeIn pricing scheme:

Skype Pro costs $3/month ($36/year) for unlimited "outgoing" calls to anywhere in USA/Canada (Skype-to-PSTN phones/mobiles).

It also includes Conferencing and Voice-Mail, and of course free calling to any other Skype user.

SkypePro does not include a "SkypeIN" phone number.

Without SkypePro, a SkypeIn number costs you $5/month, or $60/year.

But, if you have SkypePro, then you get 60% discount on purchase of SkypeIN phone number.  

So, now I believe, SkypeIn will only cost you $24/year.

So, this will bring your SkypePro+SkypeIn service to an annual cost of $36+$24 = $60/year for unlimited incoming and outgoing calls to and from PSTN and mobile phones to and from your Skype client enabled phone, or a grand total of $5/month..... Still, not a bad deal compared to what Vonage will cost you.

http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/skypepr...

If you want to use Skype over wireless mobile service in Europe, then you need to get the 3-Skype Phone, which only is available in Europe, not USA/Canda yet.  But of course, you can still call to USA/Canada with the 3-Skype phone.

http://accessories.skype.com/servlet/Con...

Like I said, I like Skype; but I also like testing many other VoIP services too, just so I know what's out there; and I believe it is always good to have backup VoIP services.... just in case...

So, as an alternate I also use Gizmo Project

http://www.gizmoproject.com/

and, Gizmo5 (the upgraded version of Gizmo Project)

http://gizmo5.com/pc/

Gizmo is a direct Skype-like competitor

Their features are much the same, but Gizmo is slightly cheaper.

Gizmo Phone numbers (Gizmo Call-In) are cheaper than SkypeIn (when unbundled).  Gizmo Call-In is $3/month by itself.  Whereas, Skype-In is $5/month by itself, without SkypePro.

Gizmo CallOut rates are "slightly" cheaprer than SkypeOut rates.  However, Gizmo doesn't have an "unlimited" calling package, like Skype.

However, Gizmo does now have a new "Free Calls" scheme:

http://www.gizmoproject.com/learnmore-al...

You will have to read the fine print to fully understand the ins & outs of free calls...

But, then again, why pay any money at all, with no fine print...

I recently discovered EarthCaller:

http://www.earthcaller.com

All calls anywhere in USA/Canada are Free.... no fine print...

On first use, EarthCaller wil install a small web browser plug-in/add-on to run the VoIP engine over your web browser.  After that, all you do is dial the 10-digit USA/Canada number from EarthCaller home page.... it's that simple... nothing to buy...

Answer 2

The telephone company I use here in the UK is bringing its own voip network on line soon, the roll out dates for Europe are to be announced next week end.

The service has been available in the USA for a year now and I have seen it and it is excellent. What makes it stand out is that you can use video phones as well as normal voip.

I know of a couple in the US that, when the wife had to visit Holland on business, took a video phone with her, plugged it into the hotel broadband and was able to see and talk to her husband.

I have no information on costs, but they are likely to be low as all calls between the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and Hawaii are free.

If you would like more information then email me and I will give you a web site address where you can find out everything you will need to know.

Answer 3

why don't you use the MagicJack?? I'm right now in Zürich, and I call the U.S. every 4 hours free....with a US area-code!

It works like a charm.....almost everyone in Europa used skype, but now they all wanna buy the MJ....I got 3 more on order for my friends, so they can also call me for free!!

http://www.magicjack.com/site/index-19g2...

It took less then a week to get to my house, just register it and take it with you!!

If you have any trouble getting your area code, just get GrandCentral.com

http://www.grandcentral.com/