Skype vs Viber data usage with voice only calls

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kiwipawl

273 posts

Ultimate Geek

#115225 18-Mar-2013 15:28

Hi All

I am looking at using Skype or Viber for voice only calls on my cellphone. The majority of my calls would be on the cellphone data network.

Does anybody know what sort of traffic the calls generate, so I can work out roughly how much the calls will cost and which of the 2 services would be the leat expensive?

Cheers Paul.

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#783502 18-Mar-2013 15:35

If this over the 3G network then don't bother to be honest as call quality would be rubbish most of the times due to various reasons. (latency, cell tower, handovers etc)

Do whatever you want to do man.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79294 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#783503 18-Mar-2013 15:38

You realise Skype calls are only free to other Skyper users, and the same goes for Viber?

Skype calls to other mobile phones in New Zealand will cost $0.23/minute.

kiwipawl

273 posts

Ultimate Geek

#783505 18-Mar-2013 15:45

Yes I realise that. What I want to know is how much data I use to make the calls.

Cheers Paul.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

#783507 18-Mar-2013 15:47

Very hard to answer as both use an adaptive codec, and the amount of data consumed will entirely depend on conditions - eg. a faster connection = more bandwidth used.

tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#783521 18-Mar-2013 15:58

https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10853/how-much-data-will-skype-use-on-my-mobile-phone

http://www.viberfaq.com/are-the-calls-on-viber-really-free/

Seems to be up to 1MB per minute with Skype and .5MB per minute with Viber.

Technowledge

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#784179 20-Mar-2013 03:29

There’s a great ebook report that details the data usage (and other phone resources) of the Skype and Viber mobile apps from extensive testing. Search on Amazon Kindle for ‘Skype vs Viber: are VOIP mobile apps viable alternatives to cellular calls?’

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#784538 20-Mar-2013 15:37

I would hazard a guess and say that you will find both of them rubbish unless you are on LTE which is currently only in the middle of Auckland.

Latency is just too hit and miss on 3G around the rest of the country to guarantee good call quality.

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phrozenpenguin

841 posts

Ultimate Geek

#786200 24-Mar-2013 09:59

I just want to mention my experience of using 3G for (voice) Skype calls - I have been extremely impressed. Multiple posts in this thread point to how it shouldn't work well, and I understand the reasons for this. However, I use Skype regularly for international calls (often 1Hr +) on 3G and all have worked well. Across the South Island, mainly Christchurch.
Not sure on data use as I have a big bundle that I don't get close to using, so don't bother checking.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#786214 24-Mar-2013 10:07

phrozenpenguin: I just want to mention my experience of using 3G for (voice) Skype calls - I have been extremely impressed. Multiple posts in this thread point to how it shouldn't work well, and I understand the reasons for this. However, I use Skype regularly for international calls (often 1Hr +) on 3G and all have worked well. Across the South Island, mainly Christchurch.
Not sure on data use as I have a big bundle that I don't get close to using, so don't bother checking.

Same here. I have also used it for video calling to family in the uk on my iphone whilst driving (my wife was driving, not me) and it has worked fine