Skypeout not free for call to same call area!?

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oooolivier

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#69981 16-Oct-2010 00:47

Hi guys!

3 months ago I got a Skype NZ number (04xxx) and a Skype phone, also the smallest monthly subscription (60mn to land lines).

I checked beforehand and was convinced that the calls I issue within my call area (ie to other 04xxx numbers) would be unlimited and free. I realized yesterday that these calls where instead handled by Skype like any national land line call and deducted from my 60mn or charged when exhausted.

This is disappointed and I like to know if any of you has had the same experience?

foobar

186 posts

Master Geek

#392457 16-Oct-2010 05:53

Yes, they charge for those calls. And if you call a mobile phone number, it gets even more expensive.

I think the reason for this is that Skype doesn't necessarily have contracts for phone lines in every call area. They may just have contracts with a single call provider in New Zealand or maybe even just one somewhere in Australia or so.

If you have a phone with caller ID, call that phone from Skype to see where the call is actually coming from.

So, in most cases, when you make a call through SkypeOut, keep in mind that Skype doesn't own phone lines and even the companies it contracts with to provide that service may not be located in your call area. You have to assume that the actual phone call could originate from somewhere pretty far away, even if you just call the house next door.

sbiddle

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#392475 16-Oct-2010 08:03

Free local calling is something that NZers get because the TSO says Telecom must offer it to residential customers.

A company such as Skype doesn't have local calling interconnects, instead they source numbers from Symbio networks in Aussie who in turn are using numbers provided by another provider in NZ who belongs to the NAD. This is why numbers can't be ported in or out of Skype.

Because their calls are interconnected like any other international call originating outside NZ they don't get bill and kiil for local interconnects like NZ based providers do, so have to pay for every call.

If you want affordable calls within NZ and free local calling look to a local VoIP provider who does SIP based VoIP. You will also potentially notice a significant increase in call quality, I know in the past Skype's has been pretty average.

oooolivier

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#392753 17-Oct-2010 00:52

Thanks guys for the answers. It helps clarify the point, although disappointing as it makes Skype less interesting that I thought.

Also looks like Kiwi are at disadvantage against many other countries, in that extend at least. I guess, that the price to pay for living in a small country...

freitasm

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#392771 17-Oct-2010 08:09

oooolivier: Thanks guys for the answers. It helps clarify the point, although disappointing as it makes Skype less interesting that I thought.

Also looks like Kiwi are at disadvantage against many other countries, in that extend at least. I guess, that the price to pay for living in a small country...

Exactly what puts us kiwis in disavantage?

As for Skype, it's not a full blown substitute for SIP VoIP and it's no a telco, so it doesn't follow the rules. Therefore no guarantees its services are at the same level as those provided by local companies in that space.

sbiddle

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#392776 17-Oct-2010 08:59

oooolivier: Thanks guys for the answers. It helps clarify the point, although disappointing as it makes Skype less interesting that I thought.

Also looks like Kiwi are at disadvantage against many other countries, in that extend at least. I guess, that the price to pay for living in a small country...

I would disagree entirely. Skype have some flat rate offerings but certainly don't have any countries where they offer free local calls.

NZ is semi unique in offering residential phone customers free local calling, this is something that the vast majority of countries in the world don't have and users pay for local calls. Look at Australia were Telstra are even hiking the cost of local calls and connection fees.

oooolivier

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#395496 25-Oct-2010 16:20

Hi! Thanks for your comments. I may have been mistaken but thought that in some other countries, a Skype subscription would give free local landline calls. One of my friend and Skype user told me so and I saw one user in UK mentioning it on the net.

But looking for it again, I couldnt find anything conclusive. So I guess I got it wrong.

What I know for sure is that many regular operators in Europe are offering free call to several countries. For instance, my family there can call me free. Hence, the competitiveness of Skype is diminishing.

sbiddle

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#395500 25-Oct-2010 16:38

oooolivier: Hi! Thanks for your comments. I may have been mistaken but thought that in some other countries, a Skype subscription would give free local landline calls. One of my friend and Skype user told me so and I saw one user in UK mentioning it on the net.

You're probably getting confused with the unlimited calling plans. You can get one of these for the UK and can also get one for NZ as well.