Best VoIP

Hello, everyone. I am currently working at home and I need to reach several people to be part of my team. The thing is, they are from different countries and calling them might be really pricey. An option I have found was VoIP. I have seen spam link removed and I am wondering, is this a good provider? Will I have the capability to reach other people even if they do not have an account at spam link removed? What VoIP are you guys using. What are your views in using one?

 

Hi, I can only speak from the computer point of view, mobile devices may be different and may incur charges.

However if it is a computer to computer communication and doesn't involve more than three participants at a time, Skype is free. All you require for this in hardware is a USB headset and microphone, preferably certified as compatible with Skype.
Also you need to download and install Skype.
I use it many times with friends and also on odd times with this forums staff when we may have a problem that needs discussion to provide the best advice.
Have a look at the Skype site here :-

http://www.skype.com/en/

Nev.

 

Hi, Dragnet and Plastic Nev. I understand how Skype works but unfortunately, the person I need to call also needs to be connected to Skype, right? I am in need of a system that can allow me to call someone through their phone without being charged that much. Can Skype do that? Or should I really just purchase spam link removed?

 

Ah, now then, if calling a phone or other service from Skype yes it can be done, however there are charges and you would have to look into that as to the various tariffs Skype charges for that service. They are not that expensive though, so you may need to look at other VOIP services, and there are quite a few, to determine which is the best and lowest charge.
However if all people are using Skype, there is no charge at all whereas some other VOIP services charge anyway.

Nev.

 

Yes Skype can do that. Open a Skype credit account and stipulate what country you wish to call and the rates are quite reasonable.
I have used this service and had no issues.
Your decision which one you go for either Skype or spam link removed.

 

Hi, also can you please decide, and perhaps for the best to stick with this forum. I have asked you to consider this on FPCH. It will prevent any confusion between other members as well as avoiding conflicting advise.

Nev.

 

Hi, do have a look at this link for the Skype rates to other phones, also have a look at their premium service, for a fixed rate you can call anything.

http://www.skype.com/en/rates/?cm_mmc=BRPG_2183_skype_AU

I can only say if you compare that with other VOIP companies and make your decision accordingly.

Nev.

 

Plastic Nev and DSTM, thank you so much for helping. I will weigh things out. I just really need to reach several people. Some are from Singapore, Denmark and UK. I have checked my current phone plan and they are charging several $$$ I cannot really afford. Thanks, again!

 

Your Welcome.
I was ringing a relatives mobile phone from here in Sydney to Austria and it was costing me 90cents a minute.
I used Skype Phone Credit and the cost was under 4 cents a minute. A big saving.

 

I have been using spam link removed for several years now and am very satisfied. Yes, you CAN reach anyone regardless of carrier or type of service. Quality is excellent, CS is good, not perfect; they are based right here in New Jersey. I have 3 accounts. 1 is completely virtual, 2nd is a permanently forwarded to the 1st and the 3rd is a true VOIP w a router and phone adapter so I can use my own phone. International rates are reasonable and some countries are included free (but use plan minutes). My main reason for spam link removed at the time was the ability to port an existing number; now they all more or less allow that.

International calls can be tricky in that you may be charged a nominal fee, but the recipient may likewise incur an incoming charge. My wife borrowed someone's phone which was based in India, took it with her to Italy. My calls from the US to Italy were something like 2¢/ min, but the receiving phone she used was incurring a charge at the same time and it wasn't cheap. There is nothing to stop you from acquiring a virtual international number(s) if that will somehow minimize your costs.

spam link removed allows you to place a call using any phone or a computer or a mobile device if so desired.

Depending on your plan, you will have a monthly base price. I am paying $25/mo for my 3 accounts. If there is permanency to your project/business, spam link removed gets my vote. I have also used spam link removed to send text messages and faxes. spam link removed allows 3-way calling.

RingCentral is another serious business consideration but more expensive.

I also have several Google Voice accounts. These also allow you to 'pair' to a real phone or mobile device. International calls are reasonably priced; you have to initialize credit via Google Wallet. If you don't use Google Voice there is no monthly charge. My main use for Google voice is rarely used communications or for call forwarding to multiple numbers; otherwise, I don't like the intrusiveness of Google as it tries to sneak in joining Google+.

I also have Skype, which others have pointed is free Skype to Skype, but the one thing I didn't like about Skype, for my purposes, was the weird phone number you are assigned but I see now they improved upon that somewhat. Advantage is group calls, but all you need is one person with a feedback loop and your group call becomes chaos. The other thing is that my experiences with Skype to a real phone was a pronounced echo or delay. This was several years ago, so I have never used it since for calling landlines. That being said, international calls may also have delays due to the quality of the transmissions or where there are satellites involved, so you want to minimize that.

Then there is Magic Jack Plus, which does not need a computer, but does need Internet connectivity. If you are strictly land locked this is real cheap, but lacks wireless connectivity if you or anyone else is on the go.

If you narrow down to a couple, just search by the word "compare ..."

HTH.
Good luck,
FF

 

UK is one of the 'free' countries with spam link removed.

 

Another advantage with skype is; If your contacts or yourself are not available one can always leave a text message and/or a video phone message free of charge, but only if they have a computer.

 

Another thing I like about Skype. You can send multiple files at once and there is no limit to size, even .exe Files of any size.
And no Monthly Plans is what I like about Skype.

 

Thank You F.F. for writing such a detailed reply re spam link removed
This will really help the member in deciding what best suits their needs.

 

Fred, thanks much as usual your writeup is impeccable.