Skype to be shutdown in May

[SMIAI]

5 hours ago, Will27 said:

Are you sure?

1 Baht per minute sounds awfully cheap.

 

I think AIS is about 6 Baht.

 

For the Truemove H Tourist SIM, it is correct. Whether it works on other TRUE/DTAC SIM now, I do not know.

[LivingNThailand]

On 3/1/2025 at 8:18 AM, mikeymike100 said:

According to the email  i received.....

"Skype Credit users can also continue to use their remaining Skype Credit. After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams."

yeah, I read this four times and didn't make sense.  Once I see the word Portal everything goes South.  I have a younger brother that is a bit more techy  and himI thought I'd send the email to him and see if he can figure it out for me.

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, LivingNThailand said:

yeah, I read this four times and didn't make sense.  Once I see the word Portal everything goes South.  I have a younger brother that is a bit more techy  and himI thought I'd send the email to him and see if he can figure it out for me.

 

I believe the dial pad is only available to business 365 users, my family 365 plan doesn't have a dial pad available on Teams, yet. Not sure if they are saying they will turn that feature on for us, or not.

[LivingNThailand]

4 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

I believe the dial pad is only available to business 365 users, my family 365 plan doesn't have a dial pad available on Teams, yet. Not sure if they are saying they will turn that feature on for us, or not.

Hum, I've only read 2 pages of comments so far, but your response sounds like this whole new Teams is going to be Microsoft friendly and as a Mac / Apple user I may be  doomed..... Just did an auto top off a few days ago.  I lost a bunch of money on my top off when microsoft bought Skype and forced me to re-register, two accounts.  major po'd back then.  Now it sounds like I am in the same boat.  

 

[LivingNThailand]

On 3/1/2025 at 12:54 PM, PomPolo said:

Can't be that big a business or must be Mongolian Government departments if they don't have electronic means of communication!

US Social Security. 

[ChaiyaTH]

16 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

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

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/voip-voice-over-ip

[GarryP]

On 3/1/2025 at 6:42 AM, Crossy said:

It had to come 😞 

 

It's really bad news for my parents, we've been using Skype for our weekly chats for something like 25 years!

 

Both are now in their 90s and dad is registered blind so getting used to something new, isn't going to be easy 😞 

 

Possibly Whatsapp would be easier than getting to grips with Teams.

 

Luckily my sister lives local to them and is tech savvy. She'll do the necessary.

I don't call as often as you (only 4 times a year), but my dad is 93 and is not tech savy enough to set up an alternative app. I can't be arsed with Teams. May have to get my sister to set him up with a Line account on his tablet. 

[Crossy]

Just now, GarryP said:

May have to get my sister to set him up with a Line account. 

 

Great sisters think alike

 

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what my sister is going to do. Line is nice and easy and (mostly) just works. Sadly, it doesn't call to landlines, I'll have to use Teams for that.

 

They don't have a smartphone, but once the PC version is set up and the one-time-passcode entered it just works. Sis will put mums SIM in her phone to set up.

 

[SMIAI]

5 minutes ago, GarryP said:

I don't call as often as you (only 4 times a year), but my dad is 93 and is not tech savy enough to set up an alternative app. I can't be arsed with Teams. May have to get my sister to set him up with a Line account on his tablet. 

 

Just call him on his normal telephone via Localphone or similar. Nothing for him to set up other than picking up the phone.

[SMIAI]

2 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

Great sisters think alike

 

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what my sister is going to do. Line is nice and easy and (mostly) just works. Sadly, it doesn't call to landlines, I'll have to use Teams for that.

 

They don't have a smartphone, but once the PC version is set up and the one-time-passcode entered it just works. Sis will put mums SIM in her phone to set up.

 

 

What's wrong with Localphone? It's not expensive and there is no setup required at all on his side. Always good to have alternatives.

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, SMIAI said:

What's wrong with Localphone? It's not expensive and there is no setup required at all on his side. Always good to have alternatives.

 

Does it do PC-PC with video for free?? That's what we use Skype for.

 

If, as Microsoft say, we can continue to use our existing Skype credits in Teams then that's what I'll do if I need to call a landline.

 

[SMIAI]

Just now, Crossy said:

 

Does it do PC-PC with video for free?? That's what we use Skype for.

 

If, as Microsoft say, we can continue to use our existing Skype credits in Teams then that's what I'll do if I need to call a landline.

 

 

If we were discussing video, then perhaps I missed that. I thought people were writing about using their credits for calling.

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, SMIAI said:

If we were discussing video, then perhaps I missed that. I thought people were writing about using their credits for calling.

 

Some are, but I'm not one of them.

 

If it's just for calling phones then Localphone looks like a reasonable solution. We shall see exactly what the migration to Teams looks like on that front. 

[Felt 35]

On 3/1/2025 at 7:41 AM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

 

Thanks. 

 

In the meantime, I've downloaded Viber and purchased a subscription that provides unlimited calls to the US for 59 baht per month.

 

I've used Viber in the past, but haven't done so for a number of years now. I'll see how it works.

 

Unfortunately, Viber does not seem have an option for providing a US phone number the way Skype does, at least as far as I can determine. But that's a minor issue compared to being able to make calls to landlines in the US.

 

Do you know if Viber have a "stand alone" download for windows, i.e.no need for a phone app?

Thanks 

Felt

[GarryP]

19 minutes ago, SMIAI said:

 

Just call him on his normal telephone via Localphone or similar. Nothing for him to set up other than picking up the phone.

We prefer to share screens. I can then let him see what changes are happening in the garden, etc. It also makes us feel much closer. He'd also be able to see my new beard next time I call. 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

16 minutes ago, Felt 35 said:

 

Do you know if Viber have a "stand alone" download for windows, i.e.no need for a phone app?

Thanks 

Felt

 

It does for Mac, so certainly should for MS Windows.

[Jingthing]

4 hours ago, Carmine6 said:

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.

 

 

Yes, now that I have fallen for the 99 dollar "lifetime" deal I am realizing that their heavily promoted 2FA capabiity is not to be counted on. The 2FA was what originally attracted them to me so I'm less than satisfied. I do think there is a good chance they'll be around for a long time because of their main area, larger scale BUSINESS applications. So I haven't decided whether to even try to get a refund yet (30 day window) because I'm skepitcal they'd honor it and also having just the voice number is worth at least something to me.

The people saying "too good to be true" were not far off.

On the other hand, it's not worthless either.

[Jingthing]

For calling people that also have the same app installed in the U.S.. I find whatsapp works really well. For some reason, Telegram doesn't. I prefer Telegram for chatting. It's unfortunate that Telegram has such a stigma. It's just a tool. The way you use it determines whether you're using it criminally or not. 

VOIP services are good for calling all numbers, not only people with the same apps installed. 

[JensenZ]

 

11 hours ago, Will27 said:

Are you sure?

1 Baht per minute sounds awfully cheap.

 

I think AIS is about 6 Baht.

Very sure, but to landlines only for that price. Good for banks and government departments.

 

https://www.true.th/truemoveh/site/international_service/international_call/00600?ln=en

 

[HampiK]

4 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/voip-voice-over-ip

This only works when the other person you want to reach also use teams!

 

The big advantage of Skype, which some of the users here missing afterwars:
- a local number in a country

- when this number is called forward to a specific mobile, landline number

- easy call a number at home, and even show a local number, which this person could call back

 

Your option is same as using line, Whatsapp, ... (if both have same program, then it's easy to use it). But this is not what most of the users who still use skype need!

[Rick45]

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

The 2FA was what originally attracted them to me so I'm less than satisfied. I do think there is a good chance they'll be around for a long time because of their main area, larger scale BUSINESS applications. So I haven't decided whether to even try to get a refund yet (30 day window) because I'm skepitcal they'd honor it and also having just the voice number is worth at least something to me.

I doubt they will give you a refund anyway.  The fact that they are promoting it for business is part of the scam.  No real business will bother with this.  You lose your normal consumer protections when you buy business products.   If it sounds too good to be true.....

[Rick45]

10 hours ago, wasabi said:

My GoogleFi works perfectly for unlimited US text messages so I don't need to use any other products for that.

Why aren't you using google fi for calls also?  With any android phone, you get unlimited calls and texts to the US over wifi.   

[ChaiyaTH]

12 hours ago, HampiK said:

This only works when the other person you want to reach also use teams!

 

The big advantage of Skype, which some of the users here missing afterwars:
- a local number in a country

- when this number is called forward to a specific mobile, landline number

- easy call a number at home, and even show a local number, which this person could call back

 

Your option is same as using line, Whatsapp, ... (if both have same program, then it's easy to use it). But this is not what most of the users who still use skype need!

Untrue, you can also use it as VOIP, and this will be easier once they shutdown Skype. What you think? That they are stupid and would shut down a functional Skype with paying customers without having the full functional replacement? Get real... 

 

Microsoft Teams Phone supports VoIP phone calls to anyone, whether they’re using a landline, mobile phone, or the Teams app. By default you obviously can only call other people in Teams, that is the same as it is with Skype too. Alternatively you could always use Google Voice for this too.

[HampiK]

5 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Untrue, you can also use it as VOIP, and this will be easier once they shutdown Skype. What you think? That they are stupid and would shut down a functional Skype with paying customers without having the full functional replacement? Get real... 

 

Microsoft Teams Phone supports VoIP phone calls to anyone, whether they’re using a landline, mobile phone, or the Teams app. By default you obviously can only call other people in Teams, that is the same as it is with Skype too. Alternatively you could always use Google Voice for this too.

Only in the big business plan. Not in the single accounts (not connected to a company)!

 

In skype you could buy on a single account a number connected to skype and use all the feature which in team is only available for companies 😞 

[JackGats]

Loads of new useless apps out there and counting, and one of the really essential ones is going to disappear. I'm beginning to think the purpose of new "technologies" is to screw people. I was relying on Skype to call the helpdesk of airlines in case of rebooking etc.  Now I'll have to waste a fortune calling with my regular phone number, listening to "all our lines are busy at the moment ..." for minutes on end.

 

This is what ChatGPT tells me about calling with an AIS number:

 

"AIS 003 Service: This premium-quality service offers rates starting at 3 Baht per minute for calls to over 230 destinations. To use this service, dial 003 followed by the country code, area code, and the destination number"

 

I don't like the phrase "starting at".

 

[wasabi]

13 hours ago, Rick45 said:

Why aren't you using google fi for calls also?  With any android phone, you get unlimited calls and texts to the US over wifi.   

 

I'm pretty sure with my plan it is pay per minute to call the US from Thailand. Second, I'm concerned frequent use of the Google Fi phone  service overseas will result in them canceling my subscription. That happened before when I was using the data overseas. The policy may be different for phone calls but I don't want to push my luck since I depend on them for SMS.

[Rick45]

16 minutes ago, wasabi said:

I'm pretty sure with my plan it is pay per minute to call the US from Thailand. Second, I'm concerned frequent use of the Google Fi phone  service overseas will result in them canceling my subscription.

 

Do you have an android phone?  If you do, and you have the fi app installed, if you turn off the cellular network, and connect to wifi only, you get unlimited calls and texts to the US on any plan over wifi.  Wifi calls and texts don't work with Apple phones unfortunately.

 

I've used fi for about 5 years.  No problem using the wifi calls and texts nearly daily while overseas.  If you use too much data overseas, they will stop your data.  That happened to me a couple of times, but got reset after I returned to the US for a few weeks.  Calls and text still worked even though they stopped the data.

 

[Galong]

2 minutes ago, Rick45 said:

 

Do you have an android phone?  If you do, and you have the fi app installed, if you turn off the cellular network, and connect to wifi only, you get unlimited calls and texts to the US on any plan over wifi.  Wifi calls and texts don't work will Apple phones unfortunately.

 

I've used fi for about 5 years.  No problem using the wifi calls and texts nearly daily while overseas.  If you use too much data overseas, they will stop your data.  That happened to me a couple of times, but got reset after I returned to the US for a few weeks.  Calls and text still worked even though they stopped the data.

 

Google Fi seems like a good option, BUT they seem to require you to physically be in the US from time to time. A US buddy of mine travels a lot and despite being resident in the US most of the time, he's had his Google Fi cut off when he was in the Philippines for a long period... so no, not for me. I visit the US every two or three years. When my 91-year-old mom finally dies, I might not ever go back. 

[Rick45]

Just now, Galong said:

A US buddy of mine travels a lot and despite being resident in the US most of the time, he's had his Google Fi cut off when he was in the Philippines for a long period... so no, not for me. I visit the US every two or three years. When my 91-year-old mom finally dies, I might not ever go back. 

 

I don't think you will ever have a problem if you mostly use the wifi call and text function.  Just don't connect to a cellular network, or do so only occasionally.  

 

 

  

[Galong]

26 minutes ago, Rick45 said:

 

I don't think you will ever have a problem if you mostly use the wifi call and text function.  Just don't connect to a cellular network, or do so only occasionally.  

 

 

  

I'm tired of being treated like a potential criminal just because I live overseas.  Us expats constantly have to jump through hoops to accomplish otherwise ordinary tasks. ☹️

How does what I'm saying relate to your fair post? I agree with what you said, but some uncertainty could still be involved. I think we're all looking for something that doesn't rely on finger-crossing. 🤔  Oh well, this is a good thread and together we'll hopefully help each other. Cheers.