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.

Post a reply

[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

[ChaiyaTH]

Nothing changes the same functions exist in Teams same as phone numbers etc. Next fear mongering item.

[Thailandbuckeye]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

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

The Basic doesn’t show porting on the website, Pro+ shows porting but that price is $129. Can I ask which one you purchased?

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

14 hours ago, wasabi said:

 I have Google Fi but Google will penalize you if you use it extensively outside of the US even though they claim it's unlimited worldwide.

 

I thought that restriction only refers to roaming data after 3 months.  Have they threatened to shut off your calling and texting?

 

From Google -

Suspension exit: When your data has been suspended for extended international use, you can still use your phone to call and text, but you will lose international data access until we have observed significant usage in the United States for at least 30 days.

[SMIAI]

9 hours ago, Conno said:

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

 

The better and cheaper options were posted beforehand, but obv

10 hours ago, Conno said:

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

 

Relatively expensive. Localphone

United Kingdom	Landlines	All Landlines	0.5p	0.6p
	Mobiles	All Networks	1.5p	1.8p

[SMIAI]

10 hours ago, Conno said:

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

 

Posted a cheaper option earlier on Page 3, I think. Second column is inclusive of VAT at 20%.

 

United Kingdom	Landlines	All Landlines	0.5p	0.6p
	Mobiles	All Networks	1.5p	1.8p

[sqwakvfr]

Just got locked out of Microsoft Teams.  The message said i was logging in from an unrecognized place? I am currrently intrainst at ICN aiport.  So I guess they were correct.  Now the fun starts because I had to answer a series of specific questions to get back in.  Apparently my answers were not to their liking and now they will get back to me in 24 hours.  This could be a problem with Microsoft because they have very strict security protocols.  I guess this is a good thing but now I am looking at other options to replace Skype.  For me the biggest advantage of Skype was having a "local" US number.  I am just looking for a simple VOIP based calling service with a US based number that allows international calls and SMS.  Many other options are geared for businesses.  

[Will27]

15 hours ago, JensenZ said:

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.

Are you sure?

1 Baht per minute sounds awfully cheap.

 

I think AIS is about 6 Baht.

[AhFarangJa]

3 hours ago, SMIAI said:

 

Posted a cheaper option earlier on Page 3, I think. Second column is inclusive of VAT at 20%.

 

United Kingdom	Landlines	All Landlines	0.5p	0.6p
	Mobiles	All Networks	1.5p	1.8p

I am looking at this option after an earlier post mentioned it, however, there are a considerable number of terrible reviews about it on the net.

[wasabi]

17 hours ago, Jingthing said:

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.

 

I'm going to give this a try. The $99 deal is for the basic plan which is limited to 1000 outgoing minutes per month. I'd probably rarely use that much but for $30 more you get unlimited incoming and outcoming so I think I'll try that. The biggest risk is how long "lifetime" is going to be.

 

 

[scorecard]

On 3/1/2025 at 7:11 AM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

 

I'm in the same situation. 

 

I need to find something to replace Skype that supports calling landlines inexpensively.

 

Seems to me that's coming.

 

When I call my bank in Australia it's answered quickly by a bank employee who says 'we will do the voice security test immediately and at the same time transfer your call to a secure free VOIP call - i guess that means transfer to a landline number. 

 

When I get my phone bill there's a less than 1 minute charge. All seems to work.

 

[Jingthing]

26 minutes ago, wasabi said:

 

I'm going to give this a try. The $99 deal is for the basic plan which is limited to 1000 outgoing minutes per month. I'd probably rarely use that much but for $30 more you get unlimited incoming and outcoming so I think I'll try that. The biggest risk is how long "lifetime" is going to be.

 

 

I suggest you hold off for now and try their one month trial instead if it's for 2FA.

As you're obviously into texts out, this is for BUSINESSES and they don't tell you ther is  major thing you need to do yourself for that to work more than 15 days. You need to register, give a lot of info a government agency, and I think there is a hefty annual fee.  That's for outgoing only. Apparently no need for that for incoming.

The fee might be covered for the monthly plan.

I did a test signing up for Twitch and the number was regejected as not a mobile.

The voice thing is good and the web app works on PC and Android but I might try to get a refund at this point.

The "lifetime" offers are still on.

[wasabi]

22 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I suggest you hold off for now and try their one month trial instead if it's for 2FA.

As you're obviously into texts out, this is for BUSINESSES and they don't tell you ther is  major thing you need to do yourself for that to work more than 15 days. You need to register, give a lot of info a government agency, and I think there is a hefty annual fee.  That's for outgoing only. Apparently no need for that for incoming.

The fee might be covered for the monthly plan.

I did a test signing up for Twitch and the number was regejected as not a mobile.

The voice thing is good and the web app works on PC and Android but I might try to get a refund at this point.

The "lifetime" offers are still on.

My GoogleFi works perfectly for unlimited US text messages so I don't need to use any other products for that. I took a gamble and signed up for Phone2 Pro because I can't find any reasonable alternative after 2 days of searching. So far I was able to call cell phones from the website and my Skype number but when I tried to call Schwab using the website all I heard was silence. I then called Schwab via the Phone2 Android app and everything worked with Schwab including the voice verification. Seems like it's going to be buggy but hopefully it meets my needs. This is a huge opportunity for them so if the Phone2 team has any brains they'll hire some good programmers and work out the kinks.

 

FWIW I own a US LLC so if some type of business verification is needed I'm equipped to handle that.

[Thailandbuckeye]

I ran across the forum listed below for Hushed. I also pasted a link to a lifetime offer. 
The forum is a long read but it does have some good info scattered through it.
 

It appears Hushed is iffy on 2FA  codes but somewhere in all of this I found that by “whitelisting” your voip phone number to the bank it may work. Has anyone tried contacting a bank and whitelisting a number?

 

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/hushed-20usd-lifetime-sub-number-1000min-call-6000-sms-per-year-forever-sale-recurrent-2513188/16/

 

https://www.stacksocial.com/sales/hushed-private-phone-1-line-plan-1000-mins-6000-sms

[lordgrinz]

Been playing around with Google voice and the Google static telephone number they offer us in the USA, I think it is working for voice, and texting from banks and others has always worked. Not sure if it will keep working from here, but for now this might work for me. But I really don't want my Google account shut off, so I will cross my fingers for now.

[Carmine6]

On 3/1/2025 at 7:24 AM, Jingthing said:

Very good question and timely question.

They were saying before it was a limited time only until the end of February.

I think their office is in a western time zone in the U.S. meaning it's still Feb. 28 there.

Their offer still stands here:

Business Phone: 4 users included.

www.phone2.io/ltd

 

That said, I would be very surprised if they don't extend the offer. But no way of knowing yet.

 

But be clear. This is very new to me. 

The phone voice and voice mail works but so far no luck getting test texts.

I am in communication with them about the issue. 

I bought it because of their claims for texts.

So I can't in good faith suggest that you rush out and buy this, unless you don't care about using for 2FA texts.

Also to send texts is a big hassle registering with the government which is something I won't do and don't care about anyway.

Cheers.

By pure chance I got rid of a Skype in number last year and signed up for Phone2 when they were advertising the lifetime account.  That promo has been going on since maybe Summer last year because my Skype subscription ended in September and I had months of seeing the ad to think about it. 

 

Their numbers are NOT always 2FA compatible.  I did not port my Skype number so do not know if that would have worked better. I have a credit card with Chase and added that  phone number and for some reason they only accept one number at Chase and I selected that as my main number and it removed my cell phone from the account.  Then I could NOT get a code from them through Phone2, but then they didn't have my cell connected to the account and I had call to get it added back on and the Phone2 deleted.   I believe it also did not work with Fidelity.  It has worked with some other accounts, financial and not.

 

I also get spam text messages, though those went from maybe 1 a week to I haven't seen one in a while.  They do not have number blocking, but have promised that for a while.

 

Call quality is fine, though I do not use it to call anyone and have just tested it.  The app is very basic, and they really are not adding features over time like they claimed.  But for calling and texting, it is fine since there are no extra charges.  I use it to text to my Google voice numbers to keep those from expiring.  Also for 2FA for a few accounts like rewards accounts with Lowe's and others where they don't need my cell number.

 

 

[lordgrinz]

11 minutes ago, Carmine6 said:

.  I use it to text to my Google voice numbers to keep those from expiring.  Also for 2FA for a few accounts like rewards accounts with Lowe's and others where they don't need my cell number.

 

Like you I used both Google voice and Skype to have two solutions. I can see texts in my Google voice history from CapitalOne, Bank of America, and Amazon.....not sure if it works with my Chase account yet, I tried using the voice back and forth with my Skype account for testing, will do more testing with family next few weeks as well. Hoping I can use Google Voice without getting my Google account shut down, but still looking for another Voip plan that has SMS included and relatively cheap.

[Thailandbuckeye]

2 hours ago, Thailandbuckeye said:

I ran across the forum listed below for Hushed. I also pasted a link to a lifetime offer. 
The forum is a long read but it does have some good info scattered through it.
 

It appears Hushed is iffy on 2FA  codes but somewhere in all of this I found that by “whitelisting” your voip phone number to the bank it may work. Has anyone tried contacting a bank and whitelisting a number?

 

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/hushed-20usd-lifetime-sub-number-1000min-call-6000-sms-per-year-forever-sale-recurrent-2513188/16/

 

https://www.stacksocial.com/sales/hushed-private-phone-1-line-plan-1000-mins-6000-sms

After some further research I do not recommend the stacksocial offer. Instead google "Hushed lifetime offer" and buy directly from Hushed. According to their support once you have purchased they will send an email with instructions.

 

I apologize for any confusion.

[The Fugitive]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

looking for another Voip plan that has SMS included and relatively cheap.

If from United Kingdom; 'LocalPhone'. If from United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Israel, Australia, Finland or Mexico; 'Vyke'.