SKYPE Alternative?

[scubascuba3]

9 minutes ago, norfolkandchance said:

Yes. There seems to be different rates on the App and Website. I'd rather pay 3.99 then 7.99.

Yes the website shows more choice

[norfolkandchance]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yes the website shows more choice

When my pensions stop paying me for no Cert of Life I'll just sign up for a month.

[CNXSTEVE]

https://www.mytello.com/en_TH - 0.4  Baht to UK landlines + the cost of calling Bangkok on your mobile

[JFHuaHin]

https://xpatfone.com/

 

try expat phone, you can port your old uk number to it so its free for people to call or message you on your old number

you also get 600 minutes free to uk numbers

 

so far so good for me,

[scubascuba3]

4 hours ago, JFHuaHin said:

https://xpatfone.com/

 

try expat phone, you can port your old uk number to it so its free for people to call or message you on your old number

you also get 600 minutes free to uk numbers

 

so far so good for me,

Says you have to port your uk mobile number over, don't want to do that, prefer just user ID as that number

[topt]

On 2/4/2025 at 4:23 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Says you have to port your uk mobile number over, don't want to do that, prefer just user ID as that number

in the FAQs it appears you have the option to get a new one.

https://xpatfone.com/faqs

Quote

To get a virtual UK mobile number, sign up and download our app (compatible with iPhone and Android), and choose a plan that suits your needs. You can either port your mobile number or get a new one.

However it is £8.99 a month so a tad pricey if only needed to make the odd call compared even to the Skype fees mentioned above.

[GypsyT]

If I use Skype to my bank and/or US Gov do they know it's not a regular phone call?

Or, can I make Skype to show my US phone number?

I use laptop and have VPN.

 

Just starting to learn these.... never used yet.

 

 

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, GypsyT said:

If I use Skype to my bank and/or US Gov do they know it's not a regular phone call?

Or, can I make Skype to show my US phone number?

I use laptop and have VPN.

 

Just starting to learn these.... never used yet.

 

 

With Skype you set your ID as your desired number, it's possible now it is displayed with some kind of VOIP code first, you'll need to check

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, GypsyT said:

If I use Skype to my bank and/or US Gov do they know it's not a regular phone call?

Or, can I make Skype to show my US phone number?

I use laptop and have VPN.

 

Just starting to learn these.... never used yet.

 

 

I cannot comment on the USA but HSBC UK   DO KNOW if you are on Skype etc and will ask you to call back on a direct line.  The reason is non telephone security!

[BritManToo]

40 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

I cannot comment on the USA but HSBC UK   DO KNOW if you are on Skype etc and will ask you to call back on a direct line.  The reason is non telephone security!

They know if it's a general Skype call, but they don't know if you've paid for a UK landline number.

[walt1]

There are plenty of ways to call, even using your Thai number the cost is still not that expensive. The great thing about Skype is the My Skype Number which gives you a number with any area code you want and allows people to call you just like a regular phone. I had no problem receiving codes from banks etc. it didn't work for the My SS site (US) but could use my Thai number for that. The lack of communication from Skype about the changes is the problem, no more top up option I can deal with. What I want to know is if you can renew the My Skype Number when my current term expires? You can no longer get a new My Skype Number at this time.

[soi3eddie]

On 2/14/2025 at 10:41 AM, scottiejohn said:

I cannot comment on the USA but HSBC UK DO KNOW if you are on Skype etc and will ask you to call back on a direct line.  The reason is non telephone security!

 

That's crazy as Openreach are replacing all copper phone connections in the UK so eventually ALL phone connections will be VOIP (Voice over internet protocol). Also, just about ALL corporate phone systems are VOIP already. 

 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

1 hour ago, walt1 said:

 What I want to know is if you can renew the My Skype Number when my current term expires? You can no longer get a new My Skype Number at this time.

 

So far, the answer is yes.  I received an email from Skype just this morning with this as part of the message:

 

 

[walt1]

Thanks for the info. If I can keep that working, it will be great.

[Digitalbanana]

mytello a lot cheaper than Skype subs services.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

13 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

mytello a lot cheaper than Skype subs services.

 

For some it may be.

 

I looked at Mytello's website and it appears that the cost for a phone call to the US is $0.01 per minute. I paid $30.50 last July for 12 months of unlimited calls to the US on Skype.  

 

I checked my Skype account and I have used 299 minutes in the past 30 days. This is my typical usage and at this level Mytello would cost $35.88 per year.

 

Skype is a flat annual fee for unlimited calling. Mytello is metered.