End of Skype

[wwest5829]

I have used Skype regularly to contact the US from my computer here in Chiang Mai. No issues, especially calling for my monthly income wire transfer. But now that Microsoft has announced the end of Skype, I am asking if others have regularly used an internet calling app with success and without cost?

[CMBob]

I too have used Skype for a few years to have a US telephone number and to be able to get and make calls to the US.  Given the announcement that they are killing the service on May 1st, I damn well better get a refund (cash and not their other unwanted services) for the balance of my annual subscription.

But, no, have no experience with other service providers and have not begun any in depth internet research to figure out a decent alternative.  Hopefully somebody who knows of a good alternate service (voice and sms) will post in this thread.

[Mason45]

I've been using Skype for years, it was very handy and affordable to ring family, friends and banks in Australia. I've tried others but I must reside in Australia when the application is made. They even detected that I was using a VPN. So what now? Any affordable suggestion to call land lines in Australia?

[GinBoy2]

I've used Skype almost since it started.

 

But things moved on, a little like phone calls in general. Folks don't call they either Facetime or Facebook messenger for totally free video calls, and kids never talk only text on whatever platform

 

Over the years the banks have got pretty good at detecting VOIP calls so that little niche has also dwindled.

 

As lamentable as it is, it looks like Skype has gone the same way as the rotary dial landline. 

 

RIP

[Jimjim1]

43 minutes ago, CMBob said:

Hopefully somebody who knows of a good alternate service (voice and sms) will post in this thread.

WhatsApp works  call and video but not to a landline.

True move works on calls to a landline if you use 00600 and then your area code, calls to the UK

cost me 1 baht a minute, can’t help you about costs to USA but you can ask them.

Other telephone companies will probably provide the same services so check out the Sim you use

[SMIAI]

49 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

I've been using Skype for years, it was very handy and affordable to ring family, friends and banks in Australia. I've tried others but I must reside in Australia when the application is made. They even detected that I was using a VPN. So what now? Any affordable suggestion to call land lines in Australia?

 

I don't think you need to reside in Australia, but you might need an Australian number.

But even residence is not an issue since you have family and friends in Oz. So in the case of you not having an Australian number, you can use one from the family for initial registration. 

I guess the reason for registering a local number is that number can be selected as the originator of your calls and SMS. 

[Confuscious]

I am not a regular user of Skype, but I did use it many times.
I wonder if it will be possible to backup the messages before Microsoft stop the service.

[Mason45]

I just came across a site that appears similar to Skype by the name of Yolla. I typed in my Thai phone number and I received an activation code. Australia is one of the many countries that you can call. I haven't tried it yet but the call rates appear to be very competitive.

[NotEinstein]

I have been using MyTello for the last few years - they set up a local (Bangkok) number for you to call for each contact you wish to speak with. No need to use a 'smartphone'. Obviously not free, but very cheap.

[CMBob]

4 hours ago, Mason45 said:

I just came across a site that appears similar to Skype by the name of Yolla. I typed in my Thai phone number and I received an activation code. Australia is one of the many countries that you can call. I haven't tried it yet but the call rates appear to be very competitive.

Seems a reasonable method to make inexpensive calls to at least some other countries from Thailand.

 

The Skype service (which certainly wasn't free) provided a telephone number in one's home country which allowed people there to call us here in Thailand for free as well as send sms back and forth.  So far (very minimal research), it seems that most similar services are geared for businesses and are much more expensive.  Again, with minimal research, I've found one outfit called Sonetel (which I'm not promoting as I don't know enough about it yet) which apparently is similar to Skype and touts having sms messages go to email. And the Sonetel service is about double the cost of Skype.

 

So....to the extent anybody is aware of a service similar to Skype, some of us would very much appreciate that information.

[sqwakvfr]

17 hours ago, CMBob said:

Seems a reasonable method to make inexpensive calls to at least some other countries from Thailand.

 

The Skype service (which certainly wasn't free) provided a telephone number in one's home country which allowed people there to call us here in Thailand for free as well as send sms back and forth.  So far (very minimal research), it seems that most similar services are geared for businesses and are much more expensive.  Again, with minimal research, I've found one outfit called Sonetel (which I'm not promoting as I don't know enough about it yet) which apparently is similar to Skype and touts having sms messages go to email. And the Sonetel service is about double the cost of Skype.

 

So....to the extent anybody is aware of a service similar to Skype, some of us would very much appreciate that information.

Bob, similar experience that most services like Zoom are for business and not for the individual person who needs to make calls to customer service in his or her home country.  I only use Skype to  call the US for banking and latley CA DMV.  I don't need to make video calls or even have group chats or online meetings.   I have been lookiing for a simple VOIP service  for one person to conduct business with companies and governmental agencies in the US. So far I have failed.  I also would like to maintian my US based phone number that I have had with Skype for many years. I have discovered porting or transftering my Skype to other services could cost as much as $20.  

[novacova]

On 3/1/2025 at 1:10 AM, wwest5829 said:

I am asking if others have regularly used an internet calling app with success and without cost?

Try Talkatone app. You’ll have to change the regional settings in your device to get the app. Paygo by Ultra Mobile has a $3usd plan and use use WiFi calling