Skype to be shutdown in May

[Galong]

On 4/13/2025 at 10:16 PM, Briggsy said:

I was on monthly subscription with Skype. The subscription due on 8 April was not taken. The service did not work today and did not allow me to add credit. So, sadly that is the end for me as I cannot call UK landlines from Teams.

 

I have a list of around 8 services from threads on here and will see what fits my requirements.

Yes, this truly sucks.  Skype did it all.  I've decided on Tello. I'm getting a US SIM card and T mobile number sent to my brother (should be there today) and he'll express it to me here. It should work in my unlocked Thai Samsung phone.  I'm doing this for OTPs mainly, but it can be used for 800 numbers as well. I sure hope this works... what a time-consuming hassle this has been. 🤦

[Briggsy]

2 minutes ago, Galong said:

Yes, this truly sucks.  Skype did it all.  I've decided on Tello. I'm getting a US SIM card and T mobile number sent to my brother (should be there today) and he'll express it to me here. It should work in my unlocked Thai Samsung phone.  I'm doing this for OTPs mainly, but it can be used for 800 numbers as well. I sure hope this works... what a time-consuming hassle this has been. 🤦

I only use Skype for phoning the UK. I am going with Webcall Direct. If it doesn't work, I have only lost less than 1000 Baht and then I will try somebody else.

[SMIAI]

WebCall Direct seems to be an old version of MobileVOIP. 

[VBF]

On 4/2/2025 at 7:56 AM, Galong said:

<snip>
Alternatively, has anyone used AIS and the 003 prefix to call the US (or another country)?  It says 3 baht per minute. I can live with that. 

Yes - I've called UK using that method several times - no drama.

[funlovinkid]

After having had my Skype number for more than 15 years, I opted to port the number to Vyke, and so far, I'm experiencing no real problems.  I simply downloaded the Vyke app from the Play Store, and sort of followed the bread crumbs.  Apparently Vyke can only port USA-based Skype numbers (which applied to me, fortunately).  The process of porting the Skype number must be initiated by Vyke through my request to them - not the other way around.

 

Because my phone SIM uses a Thai phone number, the Play Store denominates any of my financial transactions in Thai Baht.  So, when I decided to pay the annual $19.99 fee for the continued use of the old Skype number, I did this using the Vyke app, and discovered that this translated into an 800THB charge.  Vyke uses its own formula for foreign exchange transactions, which I learned are nowhere near market rates.  And payments for topping-up the account can be made either on the app, or via the Vyke website.  I learned that it's preferable to use their website for this purpose, because the transactions are charged in USD - which is good for me, because I can make these payments using a USD credit card.  Not sure if any of this is useful to others (who might have different circumstances), but I figured I'd share it anyway.  Based on my brief check of the Vyke foreign exchange formula ($8.49 becomes 475THB using the app), I'll stick with the website for topping-up my account.

 

Once I had topped-up the account via their website, and the transaction was accepted by my credit card company, I very quickly noticed the updated account balance on my app.  So I called a buddy in the US for a long-overdue conversation, and to test the functionality - which seemed fine, although I did notice a slight delay.  Afterward, the balance on my Vyke app was reduced accordingly.  The Vyke rates for calls to the US are 1.2c/minute, less than Skype was charging.  And most importantly, now I can receive phone calls (and now, international text messages as well, which are supported by Vyke) from my US-based financial institutions.

[KhunHeineken]

No need to start a new thread. 

 

Viber is the new Skype. 

 

https://www.viber.com/en/

 

[Galong]

On 4/22/2025 at 2:00 PM, KhunHeineken said:

No need to start a new thread. 

 

Viber is the new Skype. 

 

https://www.viber.com/en/

 

Viber doesn't even seem close to a replacement for Skype for the things that matter to me, which are a US Skype number, OTPs, and calling toll-free US numbers 

[KhunHeineken]

34 minutes ago, Galong said:

Viber doesn't even seem close to a replacement for Skype for the things that matter to me, which are a US Skype number, OTPs, and calling toll-free US numbers 

Once again, I am posting in general, and not to your specific requirements. 

 

Some may need a mixture of different products.  Eg.  Viber for free voice and video, and  another product for a local country number.  Some are happy with credit / minutes, while some need an unlimited subscription because they either make many calls, or talk a long time, or both. 

 

Each to there own. 

 

Can you put forward a product that is closer to Skype than Viber, as a one stop shop, the way Skype is? 

 

Yes, Viber is missing a local number feature.  I believe they used to offer it but stopped offering it.  They may offer it again with the shutting down of Skype.  

[SMIAI]

Khun Heineken...why does one need a 'one stop shop'? No one is interested in App to App calling. You can get that for free from any number of applications. They, in the main, are interested in Application to Landline and Mobile calls and a number in order to receive calls and OTP.

 

Viber Out is useful for calling out and that's it. It's certainly not the cheapest, as US$0.02 per minute to the USA and U.K.  That's up to four times more expensive than some of the alternatives.

So I don't understand why you keep pushing it on Skype threads. 

 

[KhunHeineken]

1 hour ago, SMIAI said:

Khun Heineken...why does one need a 'one stop shop'?

They don't.  I never said they did. 

 

What I did say is Viber is the closest product I could find to Skype, which is a "one stop shop" for the needs of many. 

 

I also said in a subsequent post many may need a combination of different products to achieve what they did with Skype. 

 

1 hour ago, SMIAI said:

No one is interested in App to App calling.

Really? 

 

Are you posting on behalf of "everyone" now? 

 

I use app to app calling all the time.  I like to see my friends and family on a video call sometimes. 

 

1 hour ago, SMIAI said:

You can get that for free from any number of applications.

You just said no one was interested in it.

 

1 hour ago, SMIAI said:

They, in the main, are interested in Application to Landline and Mobile calls and a number in order to receive calls and OTP.

I would suggest, "they" are interested in ALL features Skype offered.  Isn't that what all these threads are about?

 

Also, many expats have maintained a sim card from their own country, so don't need Skype, or a Skype alternative for an OTP. 

 

1 hour ago, SMIAI said:

Viber Out is useful for calling out and that's it. It's certainly not the cheapest, as US$0.02 per minute to the USA and U.K. 

Viber Out to the USA is $1.99USD per month for unlimited calls / minutes.  That's $23.88USD, or 801THB a year.  Do you call that expensive?  Really? 

 

1 hour ago, SMIAI said:

So I don't understand why you keep pushing it on Skype threads. 

I'm not pushing it. 

 

I'm simply saying it's the closest product to Skype I can find, that's "all in one" like Skype is.

 

Can you name a product that is closer to Skype than Viber? 

 

[SMIAI]

Khun Heineken....you have posted the same thing on every Skype thread. Can you point to even one of those threads requesting App to App calling?

No one needs that since they already have WhatsApp, LINE, Signal, Telegram....

 

They need to call mobiles and landlines, receive calls and OTP.

 

VIber does not fit the bill, as pointed out to you on many occasions. It's merely an option for calling out and not the cheapest at that. 

Yes, US$1.99 for unlimited calls TO the U.S.A. is relatively good value if you are going to use it.

Not everyone calls to the U.S.A. Certainly not you. 

 

You've cross-posted it on every Skype thread. That's pushing it.

[topt]

2 hours ago, SMIAI said:

You've cross-posted it on every Skype thread. That's pushing it.

Agreed but unfortunately it is his "style"........

Pretty much all the options, including Viber, have been suggested in most of the threads long before he resumed posting after the Songkran break.

People just need to go through them to work out which works for them and their specific requirements.

 

[KhunHeineken]

On 4/25/2025 at 10:46 AM, SMIAI said:

Khun Heineken....you have posted the same thing on every Skype thread.

Yes, because it's on topic on every Skype thread.  Mods probably should have shut down all the Skype threads and just left one running, but they didn't, so I posted the relevant information on all the Skype threads. 

 

On 4/25/2025 at 10:46 AM, SMIAI said:

Can you point to even one of those threads requesting App to App calling?

Sure. 

 

First page of this thread from Crossy, who is also a Mod. 

 

He says:

 

"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."

 

Just because you don't do free voice / video calls on Skype, doesn't mean millions around the world do not. 

 

On 4/25/2025 at 10:46 AM, SMIAI said:

No one needs that since they already have WhatsApp, LINE, Signal, Telegram....

Do they?  Really? 

 

If they did, perhaps there wouldn't be so many Skype threads looking for Skype alternatives.

 

Does Crossy's parents have WhatsApp, LINE, Signal, Telegram....?  No. 

 

On 4/25/2025 at 10:46 AM, SMIAI said:

They need to call mobiles and landlines, receive calls and OTP.

Yes, they do, as do I, but I have also been doing free voice / video calls with my family and friends in my home country for years on Skype.

 

On 4/25/2025 at 10:46 AM, SMIAI said:

VIber does not fit the bill, as pointed out to you on many occasions. It's merely an option for calling out and not the cheapest at that. 

Yes, US$1.99 for unlimited calls TO the U.S.A. is relatively good value if you are going to use it.

So, Viber is not the cheapest but is good value.  You have contradicted yourself.  

 

Once again, if you think $23.88USD a years for unlimited calls / minutes to the USA is "expensive" well, what can I say?

 

On 4/25/2025 at 10:46 AM, SMIAI said:

Not everyone calls to the U.S.A. Certainly not you. 

True.  

 

I'm Australian, so it's $3.99USD a month for unlimited call / minutes to Australia.  That's a whopping $47.88USD a year.  How will I ever afford it?   

 

On 4/25/2025 at 10:46 AM, SMIAI said:

You've cross-posted it on every Skype thread. That's pushing it.

Already addressed. 

 

Not pushing it. 

 

Most people are looking for a Skype "alternative."  The use of the word "alternative" tends to mean "like for like" and not just in cost, but also features.   

 

Can YOU name a product / provider that is closer to Skype than Viber. 

[KhunHeineken]

On 4/25/2025 at 1:34 PM, topt said:

Agreed but unfortunately it is his "style".......

It's not my style.  I address this in a previous post. 

 

All of these threads are looking for different features and prices.  Viber is worth considering by all members with their mixture of requirements, across all Skype threads, thus, I put forward Viber on all the threads. 

 

On 4/25/2025 at 1:34 PM, topt said:

Pretty much all the options, including Viber, have been suggested in most of the threads

It may have, but I have put Viber forward as the closest product to Skype I could find. 

 

Can you name a product / provider that is closer to Skype in function and features?

 

On 4/25/2025 at 1:34 PM, topt said:

People just need to go through them to work out which works for them and their specific requirements.

Exact, and that's why I put Viber forward on all the threads.  Viber has everything Skype does, except for a Viber In Number, but given the Skype shut down, Viber may offer it again in the future, because they did offer it in the past.  

[Galong]

Tello is crap! I bought a SIM card and had it sent to my brother's house in the US. It's a long story, but the card doesn't work. The Tello chat agent says it is activated, but it doesn't work on two of my brother's spare unlocked phones. It's proven to be a waste of a little bit of money and a LOT of time.   I think I'll try Google Voice next.  

[The Fugitive]

9 minutes ago, Galong said:

Tello is crap! I bought a SIM card and had it sent to my brother's house in the US. It's a long story, but the card doesn't work. The Tello chat agent says it is activated, but it doesn't work on two of my brother's spare unlocked phones. It's proven to be a waste of a little bit of money and a LOT of time.   I think I'll try Google Voice next.  

Thanks for your report. For $27 USD per ANNUM I'm sticking with 'Vyke'. Not heard any complaints from anyone else. Only thing is it's a VOIP service and, as we know, some US banks and financial institutions are nervous about sending OTP's. I'm from UK so don't have that problem.

[Galong]

I just bit the bullet and took the L with Tello. I deleted my account that had $20 'pay as you go' credit. There is no easy way to contact them without jumping through hoops or calling their US toll-free number. I accessed a live chat feature once, but can't find it now... what a poorly setup site!

I know this is unprofessional, but when I got an email response from them when I blocked my Tello number (the only option was to say I lost it [eye roll]), I got a robotic email response. I responded: 

"Contact our Customer Service team" is a FAQ page, NOT CUSTOMER SERVICE!  If I could actually talk to a person I might try to salvage my My Tello account. Unfortunately, you've made an enemy with your dreadful service. 

[Digitalbanana]

On 4/9/2025 at 8:39 PM, VBF said:

After May 2025, those with active Skype Credits and subscriptions can continue to enjoy these paid features and use the Skype Dial Pad from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free.

I've still got Skype credit and would expect to keep using it until expired (several years from now?) via the dial pad on their web site calling.web.skype.com .

I am not sure if the Skype app with its built in dial pad will work anymore and Teams won't have a dial pad.

[LivingNThailand]

13 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

I am not sure if the Skype app with its built in dial pad will work anymore and Teams won't have a dial pad.

I heard two different versions of this.  

 

1.  Dial Pad on Teams will be in effect the same day Skype doesn't work anymore

 

2.  Delete the app(s) on your phone and reinstall.  By some miracle the dial pad will show up on Teams.

 

I just realized it is May 3, so I guess I better try #2 today and figure out my alternatives.   Guess I'll call my brother tomorrow, just in case none of it works.  😅

I've got a lot of credit on two phones, I hope I can use it.

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

1.  Dial Pad on Teams will be in effect the same day Skype doesn't work anymore

 

Yeah, I read something along those lines as well

 

Getting phone calls to work in Teams usually requires business licenses for everything meaning Microsoft 365, Phone services and Teams which all come with their own monthly fees - it's a business service - they want to see a website based on what I've read.

 

But the Skype dialpad should appear when the date comes. We shall see.....I'm not relying on it and already swapped over to MicroSIP software with a VOIPStudio monthly account.

 

[Galong]

2 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

I heard two different versions of this.  

 

1.  Dial Pad on Teams will be in effect the same day Skype doesn't work anymore

 

2.  Delete the app(s) on your phone and reinstall.  By some miracle the dial pad will show up on Teams.

 

I just realized it is May 3, so I guess I better try #2 today and figure out my alternatives.   Guess I'll call my brother tomorrow, just in case none of it works.  😅

I've got a lot of credit on two phones, I hope I can use it.

Yeah, I've still got a bit of credit $ too. I'm so pi55ed off at Skype for all of the hassle that they've caused me that I want nothing more to do with them, Teams, dial pads, web portals, or anything related. 

I'll call my mom and eat up what remains instead of handing it back to them or moving the money. 

I'm going to go with Google Voice with the help of my brother in the US to help be set it up via his mobile, then I'll stop the automatic forwarding to his mobile and make sure I ONLY use this app when I'm on WIFI. Everything is free if I do it correctly... according to everything I've read and Chat GPT. 🤞

[KhunHeineken]

3 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

I've still got Skype credit and would expect to keep using it until expired (several years from now?) via the dial pad on their web site calling.web.skype.com .

I am not sure if the Skype app with its built in dial pad will work anymore and Teams won't have a dial pad.

Skype will not work at all after March 2026.  I would say they are going to shut down the servers. 

 

I expect they will send out emails later this year warning users with Skype credit to use it or lose it, or have it refunded, but they have given the deadline of March 2026. 

[KhunHeineken]

3 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

I heard two different versions of this.  

 

1.  Dial Pad on Teams will be in effect the same day Skype doesn't work anymore

 

2.  Delete the app(s) on your phone and reinstall.  By some miracle the dial pad will show up on Teams.

 

I just realized it is May 3, so I guess I better try #2 today and figure out my alternatives.   Guess I'll call my brother tomorrow, just in case none of it works.  😅

I've got a lot of credit on two phones, I hope I can use it.

I put Teams on my phone and tried it.  To make a Skype call it directed me to a browser and went to the Skype web portal.  That may change on the 5th May, but if it doesn't, then you don't need Teams on your phone.  You can just go to the web portal on your phone. 

[KhunHeineken]

53 minutes ago, Galong said:

Yeah, I've still got a bit of credit $ too. I'm so pi55ed off at Skype for all of the hassle that they've caused me that I want nothing more to do with them, Teams, dial pads, web portals, or anything related. 

I'll call my mom and eat up what remains instead of handing it back to them or moving the money. 

I'm going to go with Google Voice with the help of my brother in the US to help be set it up via his mobile, then I'll stop the automatic forwarding to his mobile and make sure I ONLY use this app when I'm on WIFI. Everything is free if I do it correctly... according to everything I've read and Chat GPT. 🤞

What could possibly go wrong? 

 

Plenty of other products / providers out there that work just like Skype.  Many have been put forward over the various Skype threads.  No need to bother your brother with anything. 

[KhunHeineken]

5 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Thanks for your report. For $27 USD per ANNUM I'm sticking with 'Vyke'. Not heard any complaints from anyone else. Only thing is it's a VOIP service and, as we know, some US banks and financial institutions are nervous about sending OTP's. I'm from UK so don't have that problem.

I had a look at Vyke.  I didn't see an option for an annual subscription.  Can you post some more details? 

[The Fugitive]

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I had a look at Vyke.  I didn't see an option for an annual subscription.  Can you post some more details? 

$27 USD is the annual rate for US virtual mobile number rental. Calls to US; 1.2c per minute for both mobile and landline. SMS 5.0c each. Bundles are available. All Bundles are valid for 30 days. US Bundles; Minutes; 200 for $2.19, 400 for $3.09 and 800 for $5.29. SMS; 200 for $2.99.