Skype to be shutdown in May

[Jingthing]

A bit of an update about the 99 dollar "lifetime" offer from Phone2. Supposedly it was going to expire end of February but it's now March everywhere in the U.S. and the promotion link still works:

Business Phone: 4 users included.

www.phone2.io/find2

 

I had mentioned before I was not getting text messages.

I'm still testing that but I did finally successfully receive one.

I have not yet tested their claim that they work for 2FA much better than regular VOIP though. 

 

If you don't want to risk the 99, you can sign up for a month at a time for 18, and then if you do like it, assuming the 99 offer will continue, I assume you can cancel that and then do the lifetime plan.

 

They are doing US, Canadian, and I think UK numbers now too.

 

For those who are understandably worrying if this is a scam, well I can say their core business which has been going for years is to bigger businesses needed a more robust service. The 99 plan is a bit more limited and it targeted to digital nomads with the big selling point that it can be used well for 2FA codes. Yes they are advertising to this newer market aggressely. 

 

Again I'm not endorsing this place. Even if it's really better for 2FA codes, no guarantee that banks won't soon crack that. So, AYOR.

[JensenZ]

7 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Skype was a good, low cost option to call the UK pension department to listen to 45 minutes of hold music.  

 

What alternatives are there to call official landlines such as government departments and banks?

I use my True/Dtac SIM to call bank landlines in Australia, using the 00600 code. 1 baht a minute is cheap enough to listen to 45 minutes of "hold music" on the odd occasion a call becomes necessary. The US is 1 baht a minute too, so I'm sure the UK will be the same price.

[AhFarangJa]

4 hours ago, SMIAI said:

 

https://www.localphone.com

 

Set it up using a phone number from your country via the Web and then install the Application to your Smartphone(or use the Web application).

Many thanks, looks exactly what I need. Will give it a go....

[The Fugitive]

30 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

Many thanks, looks exactly what I need. Will give it a go....

Both mobile and geographical landline numbers are available to rent. However, incoming SMS is only available for United Kingdom numbers.

[NoDisplayName]

18 hours ago, it is what it is said:

users are being migrated to Teams

 

I 'member when all sorts of software was installed on 'puters for free.  Windows and Excel and Word and some others.  Software worked pretty well, and became standard everywhere, so much so that most people became locked into using it....forever.

 

Then it wasn't free any more.

 

I'm sure nothing evil is planned here.

[Conno]

What an absolute pain in the rear this news is.

 

For UK people who just need cheap and infrequent VoIP calls back home, banks, government offices etc and don't need a Skype number this might be an option. I've just signed up with Rakuten Viber which was one of the suggestions on page 2 of this thread. 

 

They offer subscription plans and a prepaid pay-as-you-go option like the one I had with Skype. I bought £9.99 credit using PayPal but there are options for Apple Pay and a Debit/Credit card too.

 

They say £9.99 on the prepaid gives you 67 mins to UK landlines and mobile [plus worldwide numbers at different rates] which works out at around £0.15p per minute. or....

They also do a regular monthly £1.99 subscription that gives you 100 mins per month to the UK specifically, which works out a fair bit cheaper at just £0.02 per minute. 

 

So if you only need to call UK numbers the monthly subscription might be a better solution and the prepaid [while more expensive] if you want the flexibility of calling other countries too.

 

One thing to note is they quote all rates in dollars and cents but when I bought the $9.99 USD credit it was charged at £9.99 GBP, which is a bit cheeky. 

 

I tried it out calling my UK bank and it went straight through and was a sharp and clear line. An option at least and up yours Microsoft. 

 

Not recommending them 100% as I only signed up 1 hour ago. Better and cheaper options may surface on here later, but this seems to work smoothly for now. 

 

 https://account.viber.com/en/call-united-kingdom

[NoDisplayName]

Just loaded Whatsapp on desktop and phone.

 

Wasted space.  Cannot dial 800-numbers unless that number is registered with Whatsapp.

[NoDisplayName]

And have now loaded Viber on desktop and cellphone, linked to Thai SIM number.

 

Called Fidelity from desktop, call went through, good sound quality, and the Fidelity "MyVoice" security was able to identify me.

[thesetat]

6 hours ago, jaywalker2 said:

I read that Skype will extend the service for people who have money in it but I don't know how long that will be for.

 

I believe Microsoft Teams is more for organizations than individuals. And the organization has to have a callling plan. But I've never used it myself so I'm not sure of the details.

This is the email i just got from Microsoft... Hope it helps those who use Skype and have money in their accounts...

 

Hello,   After May 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free, where you will continue to be able to use your subscription or Skype Credits. Download Teams on your device from the official Microsoft Teams website and log in with your Skype credentials to see the Skype Dial Pad.

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[Jingthing]

You can port your number into Phone2. I think that includes Skype numbers.

[Galong]

8 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

The basic needs are a local telephone number in the USA for incoming calls. Also the ability to call back to the USA as if I was there, same for texts. No other features needed. I spent $39 yearly for a 12 month Skype number subscription, and $30.50 yearly for Skype subscription. So a total of $69.50 for a local USA phone number, and unlimited calling in North America. Is there anybody offering this exact setup?

This is my situation as well. I've got a US Skype number that I use for banking with Capital One.  They only accept US numbers. I still have about $20 credit. I rarely call out and use up time, but I want to have the option for emergencies and anything wonky that might happen with banking, Soc Sec, IRS, etc.  Now I'm in a pickle.  This is annoying, especially since a couple of months ago Skype said they were going to allow folks with Skype numbers to continue, but have to change to a more expensive monthly plan, which I was fine with... then this morning happened. 🤦

[CallumWK]

54 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You can port your number into Phone2. I think that includes Skype numbers.

 

When Skype stops existing, you will not have a skype number anymore