Skype is horrible. What next?

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turb

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#230420 23-Feb-2018 10:10

I know, strictly speaking this is about VOIP, but bear with me.

I need to call relatives’ landlines and cellphones in the uk. (Mostly they are elderly/not interested and can’t cope with apps etc.)

I’ve been using Skype credit to call the phones, but everything about Skype annoys me, so I want to ditch it.

I’m using a Samsung Android phone, but it might be handy to use my iPad too. Don’t want to use a pc. I don’t want to use my landline as I’m ditching that soon too.

Is google dialler a good option? I quite like the idea of sticking with google so I don’t have another whole set of logins, passwords etc.
Does anyone have experience of using it for dialling out?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

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#1962717 23-Feb-2018 10:16

You could try calling them using regular phone calls. Costs are much lower than they used to be, and there are probably plans / add-ons available, calling cards, etc.

Skype works ok for me.

chchmjr

57 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1962753 23-Feb-2018 10:30

My brother uses Viber to call UK rellies and is happy with the service.

Dulouz

702 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1962759 23-Feb-2018 10:34

2talk.co.nz

Amanon

gehenna

6510 posts

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#1962773 23-Feb-2018 10:38

FaceTime if they're on iOS. WhatsApp if not. Plain old mobile calling otherwise, it's pretty cheap now especially if you get add-on flat rate bundles for certain geo-locations.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#1962775 23-Feb-2018 10:41

Or Google Duo if both sides use smartphones (iOS and Android, so not as limited as Facetime).

These links are referral codes

muppet

2291 posts

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#1962925 23-Feb-2018 12:09

Create a SIP account here: https://www.sipgatebasic.co.uk/

Use your Favourite SIP Client (on Android, that's cSipSimple) to connect to them.

Then you can dial UK numbers for 1.18p per minute (That's about 2c a minute) or mobiles for 9.9p per minute (That's about 19c a minute)

They can also call you with the local UK number you'll get.

It's probably no cheaper doing this than creating a 2Talk account, but you will get a UK number for people to call you.

cadman

1014 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1962968 23-Feb-2018 13:40

turb: I quite like the idea of sticking with google so I don’t have another whole set of logins, passwords etc.

Free yourself with a password manager.

turb

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1962969 23-Feb-2018 13:40

muppet:
Create a SIP account here: https://www.sipgatebasic.co.uk/

Use your Favourite SIP Client (on Android, that's cSipSimple) to connect to them.

Then you can dial UK numbers for 1.18p per minute (That's about 2c a minute) or mobiles for 9.9p per minute (That's about 19c a minute)

They can also call you with the local UK number you'll get.

It's probably no cheaper doing this than creating a 2Talk account, but you will get a UK number for people to call you.

This looks like a good option thanks! I like the idea of having a uk number.

In the blurb it says it’s free to receive voip calls. Does that mean you get billed to receive conventional calls?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#1962971 23-Feb-2018 13:44

Probably they charge mobile or premium rates for people calling your number from a landline or mobile. That's how these services make money.

These links are referral codes

openmedia

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#1962985 23-Feb-2018 14:13

muppet:

Create a SIP account here: https://www.sipgatebasic.co.uk/

Use your Favourite SIP Client (on Android, that's cSipSimple) to connect to them.

Then you can dial UK numbers for 1.18p per minute (That's about 2c a minute) or mobiles for 9.9p per minute (That's about 19c a minute)

They can also call you with the local UK number you'll get.

It's probably no cheaper doing this than creating a 2Talk account, but you will get a UK number for people to call you.

My Skinny mobile can call UK Mobiles for 6c a minute.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC a Technology Evangelist and Product Manager. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

turb

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1962997 23-Feb-2018 14:27

cadman:
turb: I quite like the idea of sticking with google so I don’t have another whole set of logins, passwords etc.

Free yourself with a password manager.

I use Lastpass already thanks, but it’s still nice to minimise that stuff.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

turb

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1963005 23-Feb-2018 14:48

gehenna:
FaceTime if they're on iOS. WhatsApp if not. Plain old mobile calling otherwise, it's pretty cheap now especially if you get add-on flat rate bundles for certain geo-locations.

Thanks, but as above, apps are no good at their end.

I’ve found bundles aren’t very good value as you get charged the same every month - I prefer pay as you go for this kind of thing.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

turb

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1963007 23-Feb-2018 14:49

muppet:
Create a SIP account here: https://www.sipgatebasic.co.uk/

Use your Favourite SIP Client (on Android, that's cSipSimple) to connect to them.

Then you can dial UK numbers for 1.18p per minute (That's about 2c a minute) or mobiles for 9.9p per minute (That's about 19c a minute)

They can also call you with the local UK number you'll get.

It's probably no cheaper doing this than creating a 2Talk account, but you will get a UK number for people to call you.

I just tried to register but you need to be uk resident. They check by sending something to the address you provide.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

cadman

1014 posts

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#1963014 23-Feb-2018 15:00

turb:

I just tried to register but you need to be uk resident. They check by sending something to the address you provide.

So send it to one of the people you intend on ringing for them to pass on to you.

cadman

1014 posts

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Inactive user

#1963016 23-Feb-2018 15:01

turb:
cadman:

turb: I quite like the idea of sticking with google so I don’t have another whole set of logins, passwords etc.

Free yourself with a password manager.

I use Lastpass already thanks, but it’s still nice to minimise that stuff.

I'm not sure I follow your reasoning, but OK.

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