First investigation from a link here: Useless for calls. Microsoft's version of Zoom.
- Thread starter MiamiDRGuy
- Start date
Skype - It'll go dark as of May 5th; Replacements?
Come on folks! We need solutions! Put on your thinking caps! If I can't call my bank or family I'm in trouble. Skype has been my "go to" since I came here in 2009.
I'm in the same boat as you. I need to call US numbers as well as 800 numbers.
Mods, I hope you don't mind. I'm starting a new post from a thread that already exists. In the thread about the cessation of Skype service, members do not have detailed information and do not list pros and cons. This post is designed to look for Skype options for phone calls to the United States. I have done an initial investigation. Other members can add as we go along:
(1) Google Voice: Free and available BUT a limitation: You must have a U.S. phone number to sign up. It is only available for U.S. residents.
(2) Vonage/Magic Jack: Either directly from the company or from a third party you buy hardware, a "box," which you connect with a Cat-5 cable to a LAN port of your modem, then connect your landline phone. BIG LIMITATION: NO phone calls if you are not at home.
(3) Microsoft Teams: I read basic information on their three tiers for business plans. I could find no option for phone calls. However, on further searching, I discovered Microsoft365 Business Voice or Teams Phone With Calling Plan (1-800)751-3455. I am very dubious about Microsoft QC. YMMV. Needs more investigation.
(4) Viber. This appears to be the best option so far: viber.com With Viber, you can call any landline or cell from your smartphone. The website appears to be well organized. You can download to Android or iOS, including Desktop operating systems.
(5) Rebtel. Similar to Viber? Pay per call.
(1) Google Voice: Free and available BUT a limitation: You must have a U.S. phone number to sign up. It is only available for U.S. residents.
(2) Vonage/Magic Jack: Either directly from the company or from a third party you buy hardware, a "box," which you connect with a Cat-5 cable to a LAN port of your modem, then connect your landline phone. BIG LIMITATION: NO phone calls if you are not at home.
(3) Microsoft Teams: I read basic information on their three tiers for business plans. I could find no option for phone calls. However, on further searching, I discovered Microsoft365 Business Voice or Teams Phone With Calling Plan (1-800)751-3455. I am very dubious about Microsoft QC. YMMV. Needs more investigation.
(4) Viber. This appears to be the best option so far: viber.com With Viber, you can call any landline or cell from your smartphone. The website appears to be well organized. You can download to Android or iOS, including Desktop operating systems.
(5) Rebtel. Similar to Viber? Pay per call.
I remember when Google Voice was free to call any number in the USA or Canada. I spent hours talking to my friends and family back in the states for free.
Skype did come in handy when dealing with Expedia, Walmart and my Bank.
Not sure which service I'll be using going forward so I'll continue following this thread until I make a decision.
Skype did come in handy when dealing with Expedia, Walmart and my Bank.
Not sure which service I'll be using going forward so I'll continue following this thread until I make a decision.
Yeah, I used Google Voice for about 10 years, including when I was here. Google finally cancelled me unless I could renew my account with a U.S. number. Well, I don't have a U.S. number because I don't live in the U.S. My first pick is Viber. I'll get back with details tomorrow.
Tried downloading “free” version magic Jack app. Prompted to enter my password to authorize purchase, per google it’s around $15/month. But app doesn’t give a price until you buy… Ooma app same thing.
Only need one for making 800 # calls to USA. (!)
Hmmm…
Only need one for making 800 # calls to USA. (!)
Hmmm…
You can get a full version of MJ along with the app which then is totally free for $50 for one year. And after that it is $33 Dollars a year.........
VoIP Phone Service | Internet Home Phone Service Provider | magicJack
Enjoy uncompromised VoIP calling and say goodbye to phone bills with magicJack. Get free unlimited calling to the US & Canada and keep your same number!
www.magicjack.com
How is the voice quality? Can you receive SMS messages?You can get a full version of MJ along with the app which then is totally free for $50 for one year. And after that it is $33 Dollars a year.........
VoIP Phone Service | Internet Home Phone Service Provider | magicJack
Enjoy uncompromised VoIP calling and say goodbye to phone bills with magicJack. Get free unlimited calling to the US & Canada and keep your same number!
Voice quality is as good as a regular cell. And yes you can receive SMS messages..........You can also block numbers the same as on your regular cell. And one cell is all you need for both your cell and MJ number. Also you can choose a number from most States in the US..........
This information is outdated.
Today Google Voice is available in many countries including Europe.
According to the specs, calling a mobile phone from Germany is 0.08 USD/minute.
Have not tried yet, but as I understand payment is via a linked google wallet.
Alexander
I have been using MJ from the DR for over 15 years. I guarantee that you can call MJ from any phone in the DR if that is ;your question. Also once hooked up to a router the app will work on its own without the router even on. So if you have internet here you have a US phone.........And you can receive calls from ANY Country in the World. You just have to pay to make the calls outside of the US. See below.
Yes, you can receive calls from Europe with a magicJack; as it's a VoIP service, you can receive calls from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection, although you might need to purchase additional international calling credits depending on your plan to make outgoing calls to Europe.
The internet here does not matter. It will be the same as calling to the US from your German cell. If you can call the US you can call MJ here or anywhere...........Of course your German cell will charge you as if it were the US.........But the person here has to have a cell that is connected to a DR company of course and working........
I use TextNow for making toll-free calls to the US. It also works for regular US numbers too (I think Canada also, but haven't needed for that). It gives me a US number, and as long as I make a weekly call, it remains free of charge. Inconvenient? No, I just put a reminder on my calendar to make that call, easy enough., Until very recently, it worked for SMS codes from banks, etc, but now that isn't a part of the free plan. Not a show-stopper for me at this point though. I don't make many such calls, so this works fine for me. For family, Whatsapp calls work great
100%
The basic version is free. If you use Micro$oft365, the teams license is included
Teams is more for business use.... It seems to be more secure then Zoom (according some specialists). I currently use Teams, but Zoom also is perfect por private use