Skype on iPhone

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fants

30 posts

Geek

Topic # 64685 20-Jul-2010 15:29

I have been using skype over wifi on my iphone for a while now and have found it very useful so I though i'd try using it over my cellular network, when I opened skype it came back with a message that I could use this to the end of august for free but then there would be a small charge, the problem is I can't find the cost of this small charge.
Does anyone know how much?

Is there any other voip type apps that I can use on my iPhone that will work on 3g network and is free.

This is what I found on the skype site:

Can I use Skype over 3G?

You can make and receive Skype-to-Skype calls, call phones and instant message over 3G and WiFi from your iPhone.

Please note that we’re offering Skype-to-Skype calls over 3G free of charge until the end of 2010. After that there’ll be a small monthly fee. Operator data charges may apply when using Skype over a mobile data connection.

1eStar

1499 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 344

Reply # 354027 20-Jul-2010 16:39

2talk have an iPhone app, works quite well but the quality can be a bit marginal over 3G without changing to a different codec. They don't allow iPhone users to login to their live website to make changes so I recently signed up on their 2talk.co.nz site and bought the acrobits softfone and the G729 codec, went into the live.2talk.co.nz site and selected the G729 codec, seems to be working well. Incidentally I got the plan with 15 free landline minutes a month

I'm not sure how skype are going to prevent 3rd party apps from accessing their free calling after the end of the year, I'm currently using nimbuzz to background my skype on iOS4

LennonNZ

2356 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 374

Trusted

Reply # 354032 20-Jul-2010 16:46

As with the iPhone OS it can check if data is going via cellular or via Wireless.. If you haven't got a subscription via cellular it won't allow you to in the future.

Kilack

492 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 4

Trusted

Reply # 354426 21-Jul-2010 11:41

I don't get it, why would skype charge to use calls over 3g? it doesn't cost them anymore does it? For them its just data like any other data whether it comes from wifi or 3g...

Kilack

492 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 4

Trusted

Reply # 354441 21-Jul-2010 12:07

1eStar: 2talk have an iPhone app, works quite well but the quality can be a bit marginal over 3G without changing to a different codec. They don't allow iPhone users to login to their live website to make changes so I recently signed up on their 2talk.co.nz site and bought the acrobits softfone and the G729 codec, went into the live.2talk.co.nz site and selected the G729 codec, seems to be working well. Incidentally I got the plan with 15 free landline minutes a month

I'm not sure how skype are going to prevent 3rd party apps from accessing their free calling after the end of the year, I'm currently using nimbuzz to background my skype on iOS4

They just shut them off.
They did it to fring a couple of weeks ago.
Skype cowardly blocks fring
http://www.fring.com/blog/?p=2322

skypes take on it
http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/07/fring.html?cm_mmc=socialm|twitter-_-global|intl|en-_-skype-_-fring

Actually reading skypes response, they claim they had nothing to do with it....

1eStar

1499 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 344

Reply # 354445 21-Jul-2010 12:16

Skype uses various users connections as supernodes to minimize their infrastructure costs, I guess they can't do this over a cellular connection. They'll lose customers to other voip providers if they're not shrewd enough.

ChrnoXIII

167 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 354693 21-Jul-2010 23:40

aw thats a shame. i was considering using the skype app on iphone as a home phone replacement...

1eStar

1499 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 344

Reply # 354763 22-Jul-2010 09:41

There's nothing stopping you signing up with a proper VOIP provider and using your iPhone as a homeline replacement. 2talk supply a local number for $7 a month, buy a decent softfone that can background on iOS4 if you have a 3GS or 4(or support push if you have a 3G) and you're good to go.