International Phone Calls ??

YumMum · Post by **YumMum** » Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:42 am

Hi there, as a Singtel customer, we're getting stuffed with huge IDD costs every month, and we're looking for a recommendation for a new phone co. Any tips, advice would be great. Using Skype when we can but still need IDD. Anyone using 1511 or M1 ?

Post by **jpatokal** » Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:27 pm

There's a ton of IDD options, all much cheaper than the big boys and all pretty much identical. They're all VOIP-based, so you'll get an irritating tiny lag, but it's worth the savings.

I mostly use SkypeOut these days, but keep Phoenix 1516 as a backup. Had a minor billing screwup once (bill showed multiple simultaneous calls to the same phone

), but other than that, I've been happy with them -- and my bill for June came to $0.09

finetune · Post by **finetune** » Wed, 15 Jul 2009 3:58 pm

When I make overseas called, I never use IDD services from Singtel, M1 or Starhub. Personally I only use Zone1511 which allows you to select the provider through which your calls are routed. This way you can configure the type of charges which you pay. Do you make roaming calls from overseas?

littlegreenman · Post by **littlegreenman** » Wed, 15 Jul 2009 5:23 pm

Try www.voipdiscount.com . They are awesome. Have been using them for many years now (over 5 years). You pay EUR 10 once every 120 days and get unlimited free minutes (fair usage policy restricts you to roughly two hours a day though) to many desitnations. Best thing is you can use it with your normal phone (landline/mobile) by calling a local access number (which is free if you are on Starhub or if you have free outgoing from your mobile). Alternatively you can log in the webpage and get the system to call you first on your phone (mobile or landline) and once you pick up it connects your counterparty (this costs 5 cents though). Then you can talk for free. Quality is very good. Also as you can use the web portal you don't even need an annoying client. After your 120 days are over or if you are over the fair usage policy cost is 1ct per minute which is still low. This works for most western countries + Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea... For India and China I recommend www.smartvoip.com . Same story, same company, just different countries that are cheap.

durain · Post by **durain** » Wed, 15 Jul 2009 7:00 pm

littlegreenman wrote:Try www.voipdiscount.com . They are awesome. Have been using them for many years now (over 5 years). You pay EUR 10 once every 120 days and get unlimited free minutes (fair usage policy restricts you to roughly two hours a day though) to many desitnations. Best thing is you can use it with your normal phone (landline/mobile) by calling a local access number (which is free if you are on Starhub or if you have free outgoing from your mobile). Alternatively you can log in the webpage and get the system to call you first on your phone (mobile or landline) and once you pick up it connects your counterparty (this costs 5 cents though). Then you can talk for free. Quality is very good. Also as you can use the web portal you don't even need an annoying client. After your 120 days are over or if you are over the fair usage policy cost is 1ct per minute which is still low. This works for most western countries + Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea... For India and China I recommend www.smartvoip.com . Same story, same company, just different countries that are cheap.

yep, i concur . very good rate even after the "free days" period. they are part of betamax company - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betamax_(VoIP_company)

YumMum · Post by **YumMum** » Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:05 am

That's brilliant. Thanks v much for the tips. I'm on the case !

louy · Post by **louy** » Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:51 am

Does anyone know how I can use:

1. The wifi on my mobile phone so that I can make international calls over the internet.

2. Use my Internet Data on my mobile phone to make international calls ?

durain · Post by **durain** » Thu, 16 Jul 2009 4:56 pm

louy wrote:Does anyone know how I can use:

1. The wifi on my mobile phone so that I can make international calls over the internet.

2. Use my Internet Data on my mobile phone to make international calls ?

you need VoIP such as skype. but it is not as easy as it sounds as your mobile will need to support the software/apps/SIP. have a look at www.fring.com.

p/s - not sure about singapore mobile provider, but certain provider block VoIP over your mobile data packet as they dont want you to make cheap international calls!

durain · Post by **durain** » Thu, 16 Jul 2009 5:09 pm

here's another one for you to look at - www.pfingo.com

finetune · Post by **finetune** » Thu, 16 Jul 2009 7:56 pm

durain wrote:here's another one for you to look at - www.pfingo.com

Pfingo has a great call-back roaming service. You need a local SIM card of the country you're making the call and you can save up 80% of roaming charges.

lucyl · Post by **lucyl** » Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00 pm

littlegreenman · Post by **littlegreenman** » Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:37 pm

Do I hear a ticking noise?!!

Post by **nakatago** » Mon, 21 Sep 2009 6:17 pm

durain wrote:
louy wrote:Does anyone know how I can use:

1. The wifi on my mobile phone so that I can make international calls over the internet.

2. Use my Internet Data on my mobile phone to make international calls ?
you need VoIP such as skype. but it is not as easy as it sounds as your mobile will need to support the software/apps/SIP. have a look at www.fring.com.

p/s - not sure about singapore mobile provider, but certain provider block VoIP over your mobile data packet as they dont want you to make cheap international calls!

Fring supports Skype, among a lot of other services. We have a wifi router at home so I use my wifi-enabled mobile phone as a VOIP phone through Fring when calling overseas (please check the Skype site for rates to non-skype destinations).

taxico · Post by **taxico** » Mon, 21 Sep 2009 6:44 pm

nakatago wrote:Fring supports Skype, among a lot of other services. We have a wifi router at home so I use my wifi-enabled mobile phone as a VOIP phone through Fring when calling overseas (please check the Skype site for rates to non-skype destinations).

i find that the connection/sound quality not too good when making skype calls through fring.

bearable when you have no other options, but i would prefer using skypeout on the computer.

Post by **nakatago** » Mon, 21 Sep 2009 6:47 pm

taxico wrote:
nakatago wrote:Fring supports Skype, among a lot of other services. We have a wifi router at home so I use my wifi-enabled mobile phone as a VOIP phone through Fring when calling overseas (please check the Skype site for rates to non-skype destinations).
i find that the connection/sound quality not too good when making skype calls through fring.

bearable when you have no other options, but i would prefer using skypeout on the computer.

really? I must be lucky then.

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International Phone Calls ??

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