The other thread is full of US options which is no use.

 

Three best options so far for calls and sms are

mytello app

Yolla app

localphone.com

 

Looking for best app for a few calls sms a year max, so credit makes more sense.

 

Any experience yet? i haven't needed to try yet

20 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Any experience yet? i haven't needed to try yet

No neither have I.

 

However just been looking at TrustPilot reviews on localphone - seems to be an awful lot of recent negative reviews........

5 minutes ago, topt said:

No neither have I.

 

However just been looking at TrustPilot reviews on localphone - seems to be an awful lot of recent negative reviews........

 

I looked at the reviews. Amongst them are people complaining about being charged VAT. Which is clearly illustrated in their pricing. 0.5p excl. VAT. 0.6p incl VAT. VAT is taken when you pay and then you are charged the excl. VAT price for calls etc.

But if you didn't pay attention whilst at school, you might think you are being scammed.

Very few complaints about the actual calling service.

I really don't understand how people can create such a furore over such a small thing as trying something out for themselves., especially when little or no investment is required.

 

Everyone I know has an iPhone, so FaceTime is it. Microsoft Meetings is another option, still using it for conference calls 

17 minutes ago, novacova said:

Everyone I know has an iPhone, so FaceTime is it. Microsoft Meetings is another option, still using it for conference calls 

I think the OP is more about a solution to infrequent but potentially extended calls to UK landline numbers - think govt. and businesses.

Certainly that is what I am looking for.

Skype was good for caller ID, i set my UK mobile number so when i called someone that would show on their screen, of the three mentioned only yolla does that

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Skype was good for caller ID, i set my UK mobile number so when i called someone that would show on their screen, of the three mentioned only yolla does that

 

This is incorrect. Localphone shows the Caller ID of your choice, as long as your register that number.

16 minutes ago, SMIAI said:

 

This is incorrect. Localphone shows the Caller ID of your choice, as long as your register that number.

I just checked with Gemini and it isn't sure whether it will show or not, depends on scenario, but if you have the link that says it will, post it and I'll check it?

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

I just checked with Gemini and it isn't sure whether it will show or not, depends on scenario, but if you have the link that says it will, post it and I'll check it?

 

I've already checked it in the past. Actually using it. It does. 

Best not to make a post saying that it does not, when you don't actually know. That is misleading.

 

1 minute ago, SMIAI said:

 

I've already checked it in the past. Actually using it. It does. 

Best not to make a post saying that it does not, when you don't actually know. That is misleading.

 

I posted because that's what it indicated on their website when i checked it last time it came up and someone else agreed, don't forget that link so we can  double check what you say

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

I posted because that's what it indicated on their website when i checked it last time it came up and someone else agreed, don't forget that link so we can  double check what you say

 

What link? I told you that I actually tested it and it works. Is that too difficult to digest? Why be argumentative when people are actually taking the time to help you?

If my word is not enough for you, you can do whatever you want. But I won't be replying to you again.

I call UK landlines about 200 to 300 mins per month. I am watching this thread avidly.

 

Skype still works for now. I am not sure when it will stop working.

30 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

I call UK landlines about 200 to 300 mins per month. I am watching this thread avidly.

 

Skype still works for now. I am not sure when it will stop working.

... they say less than 6 p per minute.

 

https://www.vyke.com/rates/

vyke lowcost calls

7 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Skype was good for caller ID, i set my UK mobile number so when i called someone that would show on their screen, of the three mentioned only yolla does that

Talkatone has caller id, can use it free or subscription. I’ve used it to call businesses in the US to keep my personal number private. It has uk numbers. Probably need to change the regional settings on the device to download it.

9 hours ago, novacova said:

Talkatone has caller id, can use it free or subscription. I’ve used it to call businesses in the US to keep my personal number private. It has uk numbers. Probably need to change the regional settings on the device to download it.

When you say it has UK numbers what does that mean? personally i would want to use my UK mobile number as user ID

23 hours ago, Briggsy said:

I call UK landlines about 200 to 300 mins per month. I am watching this thread avidly.

 

Skype still works for now. I am not sure when it will stop working.

According to the mail received -

Skype Dial Pad: After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and Teams, where you will continue to be able to use your subscription or Skype Credits.

 

 

3 hours ago, topt said:

According to the mail received -

Skype Dial Pad: After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and Teams, where you will continue to be able to use your subscription or Skype Credits.

 

 

There was something about no further subscriptions will be taken but we will see. Hopefully they will allow existing subscribers to keep using the service.

36 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

There was something about no further subscriptions will be taken but we will see. Hopefully they will allow existing subscribers to keep using the service.

Have a look here -

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/02/28/the-next-chapter-moving-from-skype-to-microsoft-teams/

 

My guess is that after a short time they will "force" users from the web portal to Teams if they wan't to maintain their credit but that is just a guess on my part.

3 minutes ago, topt said:

Have a look here -

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/02/28/the-next-chapter-moving-from-skype-to-microsoft-teams/

 

My guess is that after a short time they will "force" users from the web portal to Teams if they wan't to maintain their credit but that is just a guess on my part.

Having reread this I am not convinced one will not have to go into Teams to use - it doesn't seem to exist as a Skype page at the moment.....

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/skype-is-retiring-in-may-2025-what-you-need-to-know-2a7d2501-427f-485e-8be0-2068a9f90472

 

Quote

1. Where can I access the Skype Dial Pad?  

   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.

I find the wording a little ambiguous........

One thing i liked about Skype was you could buy credit via Playstore so no risk of fraud, i just checked Yolla and Mytello and neither seem to give a playstore option

10 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

One thing i liked about Skype was you could buy credit via Playstore so no risk of fraud, i just checked Yolla and Mytello and neither seem to give a playstore option

mytello accepts credit card payment

Skype continues to do the business. I will continue to wring the last penny out of it calling the UK.

 

The current message is "Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams."

It doesn't matter one little bit if you can use your remaing credit within Skype or within Teams. Main thing is, you can still place phone calls.

14 hours ago, JackGats said:

It doesn't matter one little bit if you can use your remaing credit within Skype or within Teams. Main thing is, you can still place phone calls.

 

I hope that's true, and I look forward to hearing from someone who actually moves over to Teams.  I got "the email" from Microsoft this weekend, but I can't access the links to do the transfer from China here.  I can't tell which end is blocking me, but oh well.  That's expat life in the Middle Kingdom.

 

And I hope they keep the per minute payment option instead of a spendy subscription that gives me a lot of features that are of no benefit to me as a retired recluse and a Luddite.  And I hope they allow me to use my cell phone number for caller ID like they do with Skype.   A lot of the devil will be in the details. 

 

I'll be clicking the links in a few days when I get to Thailand.  In the meantime, I hope to hear some details from some posters who actually transfer to Teams.  It may be an upgrade, but I've been disappointed before.

 

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

I hope that's true, and I look forward to hearing from someone who actually moves over to Teams.  I got "the email" from Microsoft this weekend, but I can't access the links to do the transfer from China here.  I can't tell which end is blocking me, but oh well.  That's expat life in the Middle Kingdom.

 

And I hope they keep the per minute payment option instead of a spendy subscription that gives me a lot of features that are of no benefit to me as a retired recluse and a Luddite.  And I hope they allow me to use my cell phone number for caller ID like they do with Skype.   A lot of the devil will be in the details. 

 

I'll be clicking the links in a few days when I get to Thailand.  In the meantime, I hope to hear some details from some posters who actually transfer to Teams.  It may be an upgrade, but I've been disappointed before.

 

Mirosoft automatically created a Teams account for me when I recently logged on to Skype. It did so without deleting the Skype account (yet). I didn't see any dial pad in Teams though, I hope it will come in due time.

 

Didn't know you could program your cell phone number as caller ID in Skype. All the more kudos for (defunct) Skype.

15 hours ago, JackGats said:

It doesn't matter one little bit if you can use your remaing credit within Skype or within Teams. Main thing is, you can still place phone calls.

Mmmm...... the problem I will experience is that I have Skype loaded on my computer and that's the medium by which I call relatives in Australia and also my bank in New Zealand; BUT when trying out the "Teams" app, from what I can see, I won't be able to connect to the Contact Centre at my bank because it is an inert entity.

 

Has anybody found a Skype replacement which basically mirrors the features of Skype?

15 hours ago, JackGats said:

It doesn't matter one little bit if you can use your remaing credit within Skype or within Teams. Main thing is, you can still place phone calls.

I'm not sure that will be possible TBH.

2 hours ago, JackGats said:

Didn't know you could program your cell phone number as caller ID in Skype. All the more kudos for (defunct) Skype.

 

That's been a handy feature for calling my banks, my insurance companies, etc.  They know my account when they pick up.  I still have to answer some qualification questions so they know it's me and not an imposter.   But that's not starting from scratch.

 

I'm hoping Teams retains that option. (Assuming they even have dial phone service to non-Team entities.)

 

I got an email from Skype that my Skype # will be deactivated in a week.  Ok so I have been researching as to how Microsoft Teams can replace what I have used Skype for almost 20 years and this what I have found out:

 

1. To use Microsoft Teams like I have used Skype I have to first buy a Micrososft Office 365 package.  The cheapest Office package for home use is $129. 

2. After buying an Office Package then I can buy a Teams phone plan.  The cheapest monthly price for a phone plan is $10.

 

I would have to pay upfront almost $140 to use Teams phone like I used to with Skype.

 

"Greed is good", Gordon Gekko

"Let it go". Elsa. I will have let Microsoft Teams go and find an alternative.  

 

Any thoughts from soon to be former Skype users as where I can go to make cheap international callls with a US based #? 

Skype did not appear to take my $3.59 this month.