What is your go to provider for porting Skype?

[Orangutan]

Hello, I have a list of six companies that I’m seeing good and bad reviews for. Does anybody have any firsthand experiences and suggestions? Many thanks

~O

[bunnydrops]

I tried an app from the Play Store (Android) Text+. The call from Thailand to the US went through and was clear. It did take a long time to connect. The calls coming in are where the problems occurred. On their side, the call would go to the message box before you had time to answer. It was a bit strange as I could hear them, but the answer button wouldn't work. I could listen to their messages very clearly. I am looking for an app that will give me a dedicated number. I am still looking.

[Orangutan]

Thanks… We have until May 5th to get this done. I do not want to use Microsoft teams. I am a single user.

[Briggsy]

Depending on what Skype service you were using, the service may have already ended. That is the case for me. My monthly subscription was not taken in early April and the service ended a few days later.

 

Next you need to specify what service you used to use Skype for. The replacement service you choose will greatly depend on which countries you are calling and what your requirements are.

 

For me, I used Skype to phone UK landlines. This was 90% of my Skype use. Teams was no use at all in this situation. I found WebcallDirect provided a service at a similar price. I have tested the service out and it works. So I am going with them.

 

If you are phoning outside of Europe and not phoning landlines, you will probably find WebcallDirect is not for you.

[Photoguy21]

As Skype is being shut down, what does Microsoft going to do with subscriptions that have not been used up?

[phetphet]

I also used Skype mainly for calls to UK landlines, and also occasional online lessons.

 

For my calls now, I use Signal, Telegram or FaceTime on mobile. Not everyone is on any one particular service. I don't use WhatsApp.

For landlines I am buying a one month  AIS 003 package for calls to the UK.

 

I haven't yet found an alternatives to Skype, but below is a link to any article that mentions some..

 

https://apple.news/AtjmMqoPdTNCe6Dduv25AvQ

[Polar Bear]

3 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

As Skype is being shut down, what does Microsoft going to do with subscriptions that have not been used up?

 Nothing, they are just keeping the money and telling us to use Teams. 

[Polar Bear]

It depends what you use it for and what countries you call. 

I use it mainly to call UK landlines and non-geo numbers, but I also have a UK skype-in number, which I really didn't want to lose, so I've switched over to Voipfone.co.uk

At the time, (about 3-4 weeks ago) it was the only one I found that had non-business packages that would allow you to port in a UK Skype number, but more might have popped up since then. 

The call package I've got is practically the same as I had with Skype, just a little more expensive, but they ported my Skype-in number with no fuss. But it's meant for business really, and I have to use 3rd party apps (e.g., Zoiper5) to make calls. They are clunky and awkward, and I don't like them at all. But the calls are clear enough, and calls on my UK VOIP number come through OK, so I will stick with it for now. So, not a glowing recommendation, but it does what I need it to.

When I was looking, there were a lot more options for users in the USA. 

[Orangutan]

I forgot to mention in my original post that I had renewed my one year Skype subscription one month before they notified me that the service wasn’t gonna be available, so I have practically a year left of service. I’m still looking around for something simple to use just to place the occasional call to the US.

~O

[bunnydrops]

20 minutes ago, Polar Bear said:

 Nothing, they are just keeping the money and telling us to use Teams. 

That is not true. I have a dedicated number that is paid up through December. I will still be able to use Skype phone dail pad and receive calls till then. I have no credit left so I can't send texts, but can still receive.

[Polar Bear]

I was 2 months in to my 1 year package.

For occasional calls to the USA, you might want to try Google Voice. The catch is that you need a USA number to register it initially. They send a code to that number to register, but it's a one-time thing. Once it's registered, it's free, you just have to use it regularly. (I call the Apple helpline every month to keep it active.)

[Orangutan]

Thank you, polar bear. I will look into it.

[Polar Bear]

2 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

That is not true. I have a dedicated number that is paid up through December. I will still be able to use Skype phone dail pad and receive calls till then. I have no credit left so I can't send texts, but can still receive.

I've got the best part of a year left on my package, which is the Skype-in number and UK landlines. But I can't put credit on it, so I can't call mobiles, non-geo numbers or other countries from my Skype number, which are the bulk of my outbound calls. What use is a phone number that I can only receive calls on and can't call out from? I'm now having to pay another company to be able to use my number, while Microsoft just keeps my money. 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

I used Skype for calls to family members, banks and government departments in the US and had both an annual calling subscription and a Skype-in number. The annual cost was $70.

 

I have replaced it with Phone2 by paying a one-time fee of $99. For that fee I can call numbers in the US without additional charge and I also received a new US number for incoming calls. I could have ported my Skype-in number, but did not see the need. So far, the Phone2 call quality has been very good. I don't use it for 2FA, so can't comment on whether it would work with banks.

 

For a while I was receiving several telemarketing calls every night on the new US number, usually between 9 pm and 5 am. Most of the calls were companies trying to sell Medicare Advantage plans or similar.  Once I registered the number with the Federal do-not-call list, the calls stopped completely. I don't know why I never received such calls on my Skype-in number.

 

One service that Phone2 does not provide for personal accounts is outgoing SMS messaging, but I have no need for that at present.

[bunnydrops]

3 minutes ago, Polar Bear said:

I've got the best part of a year left on my package, which is the Skype-in number and UK landlines. But I can't put credit on it, so I can't call mobiles, non-geo numbers or other countries from my Skype number, which are the bulk of my outbound calls. What use is a phone number that I can only receive calls on and can't call out from? I'm now having to pay another company to be able to use my number, while Microsoft just keeps my money. 

I am still making calls to the US with my number. They stated all subscriptions will run their time but can't be renewed. I had to delete both Spype and Teams (I think because I had first converted to Teams) and then reinstall Skype to get the keypad back. I just used it this morning. I don't know how long it will work from the phone as they said we could still use the computer app to call but didn't mention the phone app.

[JackGats]

Sonetel

 

call.com

[bunnydrops]

32 minutes ago, Polar Bear said:

I was 2 months in to my 1 year package.

For occasional calls to the USA, you might want to try Google Voice. The catch is that you need a USA number to register it initially. They send a code to that number to register, but it's a one-time thing. Once it's registered, it's free, you just have to use it regularly. (I call the Apple helpline every month to keep it active.)

I have also used Google Phone, and it seems to work well for outgoing calls. I use it with VPN set to the country I am calling. Do you use VPN also?

[Polar Bear]

1 hour ago, bunnydrops said:

I have also used Google Phone, and it seems to work well for outgoing calls. I use it with VPN set to the country I am calling. Do you use VPN also?

I do use a VPN, and it's probably been on when I've made calls sometimes, but I don't put it on for that specifically. I only use my Google Voice number to receive calls from the USA, and they are always pre-planned, so the only outbound calls I make with it are the ones I need to do to keep it active. I wouldn't usually have my VPN on when I'm making the maintenance calls, but they go through OK.