Which Services/Apps To Replicate Skype's "Calling To U.S. Landline And Mobile Numbers"?

[rwilem]

39 minutes ago, jaywalker2 said:

If I were you, I wouldn't try gaming the GV setup. I used one of those temporary SMS services to try to set up GV and ended up getting banned from google voice for life.

Wow, good to know. I didn't try that, just had the idea on the back burner after reading accounts of that process. I'll not pursue that method, no.

 

After getting some call-out service, I'll be covered. I may just wait till my next trip to the U.S. to get a Voice account, get one on the up-and-up.

[indyo]

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

[rwilem]

34 minutes ago, indyo said:

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

Interesting....

 

I guess you'd have to get a 'tourist sim' and set that up. Lot of questions, though. How long is a 'tourist sim' going to be valid for? Forever, as long as it's funded?

Not a lot of info at the site, but I'll look for it.

[SMIAI]

Truemove H Tourist SIM have a 90 day validity limit, as compared to normal SIM that can have 365 days in advance. So you need to remember to extend more frequently.

If you are willing to pay 1 baht per minute, then why bother with the drama of worrying about using a service such as Localphone? Yes, it's one sixth of the Truemove H price and there is no need to subscribe, even though you can subscribe for as little as US$1 per month.

It's hard to understand why some agonise over such seemingly trivial decisions.

It's definitely more hassle and more expensive to obtain and maintain the Truemove H Tourist SIM.

 

My advice....Sign up with Localphone using a PC browser and your U.S. SIM. Your U.S. number can appear as your Caller ID when making a call or sending SMS. Then install the application on your phone and sign in. 

[rwilem]

2 hours ago, SMIAI said:

Sign up with Localphone using a PC browser and your U.S. SIM. Your U.S. number can appear as your Caller ID when making a call or sending SMS. Then install the application on your phone and sign in. 

Had not thought of that. Seems like that would be an ideal way to go to sample localphone.

 

Yeah, about the search, some agonizing...I hear you. Well, getting my U.S. TextNow number getting zapped, then Skype going down, you're out in the wild, U.S. number-less and no call-out ability, when things had been running on auto-pilot for years.

 

On the True tourist Sim, the link didn't show, or maybe I missed it, what the initial outlay is for buying and funding it. And the costs for extending it, keeping it funded. But certainly 1 baht a minute calling to the U.S. is decent, and I would venture that the call quality should be better than VOIP.

[SMIAI]

You might think Truemove H 00600 would be better than 'VOIP', but that would not be possible, since it IS VoIP. 🙂

 

The mobile networks are trying to make it more difficult for tourists to buy basic 50 baht SIM and try to push you to buy a useless bundle. So you would have already spent the equivalent of US$10 just to obtain a Tourist SIM. Plus your calls might appear to come from a random number.

[JackGats]

On 4/15/2025 at 2:25 PM, rwilem said:

No, not accurate. There's no 'citizenship test' for acquiring a Voice account/number. (And it is available in some other countries in addition to the U.S.)

 

In the U.S., to make an account you would have to be present, or fool google that you are (VPN), and have a U.S. mobile provider phone number able to receive the code to confirm the account. 

Yes, that's what I meant for short. Not many non US people will go to the trouble of acquiring a (non virtual) US mobile phone number. No citizenship test, but requirements that are tantamount to one.

[sirineou]

On 4/12/2025 at 12:28 AM, StandardIssue said:

GOOGLE VOICE does that same thing + you get a free phone number. Global calls can be made for a charge that you put on deposit with GOOGLE VOICE

I am in Thailand I downloaded the Google Voice app, it will not allow me to open the app, and proceed with sett up, I het the message "Sorry , Google Voice is not available in your country" 

[phetphet]

https://www.ais.th/en/consumers/package/international/international-call/003

[sirineou]

On 4/11/2025 at 10:34 PM, gamb00ler said:

I have a friend who is also seeking a Skype alternative.  I'm trying to help him get a GV number set up.  He's on Android but I'm on IOS so what works for me doesn't for him.

 

What is the problem that is preventing you from creating a new GV number?

I am in Thailand. I downloaded the GV app, but when I try to open the app I get the message "Sorry  , google voice is not available in your country , so I assume I have to be in the US to set up GV. But I am not going there for a while. My question: My daughter is in the US, if she set up a google voice account on her phone and gave me the log on information, would I be able to Open the  Google Voice up on my phone using her log on information and use it to make calls? And will there be a conflict calling her Phone in her cell carrier number, because GV will be on her phone also?   PS: I have a VPN on my phone here in Thailand and I can make it look like my phone is in the US while I make calls.

. 

[KhunHeineken]

No need to start a new thread. 

 

Viber is the new Skype. 

 

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