1 hour ago, Digitalbanana said:

expect several more years use out of Teams with Skype credit!

Likewise! But I shall probably investigate other possibilities, so as to avoid the unreliability  of  Microsoft in the future. 

Mostly FaceTime with Apple users (IPhone, IPod, IPad and Mac) as well as Magicjack

 

3 year plan; $109.00

you can keep your phone number in Canada or the US or chose a phone number in any North American area code.

You carry a small device you plug into any router, hotel internet outlet or any device with USB port connected to WIFI and you become a North American number anywhere in the world.

All calls, messages, voicemails and faxes are free.

If you call non North American number it’s very cheap (Thailand is $0.044 a minute). Just buy international credit.

Excellent audio-quality. No video but you can use it for faxing, either by using a fax software on your laptop or connecting a fax machine via the magicjack device.

When calling or faxing people think you are located in North America by looking at the number on their screen or fax report but you could be anywhere else in the world as long as you have WIFI

 

I have offered a couple of magicjack devices to family members in Europe so they have their own US phone number.

 

https://www.magicjack.com

I use Yolla. It let's you call land line numbers in other countries as well as mobiles and is very cheap.

3 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

 

For voice calls I use these :-

Whatsapp - mostly use this. 

Faceboook Messenger - 99% of my friends are on FB and I can call them using messenger if needed.

Telegram - a lot of my friends use this.

Signal - gradually more people I know using this now.

Line - I use this for friends in Bangkok and some in Asia.

I also use Zoom & Google Meet when I need to share my screen, not just my voice and/or video. 

 

Above are all perfectly good suggestions - no criticism as such.

BUT...if you want to call a non-personal number like a bank, doctor or commercial company I don't think any of them are of much use.

 

And, as an aside, if you need to share your screen when using Zoom or Google and don't want to, you can always cover the camera. Not meant facetiously, really!

Microsoft say teams but they would as it is their own product. Alternatives are:

 

1. WhatsApp

2. Signal - very secure but the person also needs to have Signal installed

On 7/22/2025 at 1:02 PM, In Full Agreement said:

Best calling platform to replace Skype 

I was using my AIS sim 005 but those government departments in Australia put you on hold for 30 or 40 minutes.

I used Yolla, seems OK 👍

4 hours ago, thaipo7 said:

  I don't need something where both parties have to have the same set-up.

Rakuten Viber Out. Same calling access like Skype.

I use it on both my pc and mobile phone.

Sound quality excellent.

 

All these talks about credits and prices.

Why not just use Messenger or LINE?

Am I missing something?

Google Voice works well for me.

As reliable as Skype.

4 minutes ago, Bubbha said:

Google Voice works well for me.

As reliable as Skype.

Not for Thailand 

 

 

7 minutes ago, Bubbha said:

Google Voice works well for me.

As reliable as Skype.

. 

 

40 minutes ago, Montnoveau said:

All these talks about credits and prices.

Why not just use Messenger or LINE?

Am I missing something?

Yep, you are missing something. 

 

The topic is regarding Skype, how do I call government departments on their landline in Australia from Messenger or Line? 

 

Been using Microsoft Teams.

 

Still has a Skype keyboard.

She Who Must be Obeyed calls her friend in Italy regularly on WhatsApp. Works well and on Wi-Fi it is free. Who calls landlines these days to talk to friends and relatives?

OK, not if you call the government.

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

OK, not if you call the government.

 

Or banks, or insurance companies, or brokerages, or local council, or utility suppliers etc etc.

Any of these allow receiving of text messages? i.e. from your bank, broker. etc.