Hey guys, I'm sure there's some of us on here that are using various VOIP services. Could you please share your personal experiences with them, which ones you'd suggest, which ones to stay away from. We're thinking of switching to a VOIP carrier that offers cheap U.S. Calling. I know some even offer free calling to Europe(the ones I've found are limited to something like 100 minutes per month though). Does anyone know of any good VOIP providers that offer cheap U.S./Western Europe calling? Thanks, Andy
We actually use calling cards to call Europe, which cost us 5 cents per minute, and we can do that with our cells too, just uses minutes.
I have been using AT&T's CallVantage service for over a year with no problems other then when my daughter downloads bit torrents, as for the rates I haven't called Europe, but here is there link with rates including if you call a landline vs wireless phone. http://www.usa.att.com/callvantage/international/index.jsp People I know using Vonage have been happy with there service as well, so going with some of the bigger VoIP companies would be a better choice over the free services.
Same here, I use Skype from Germany to CA from time to time. The connection is clear but at times I hear an echo of my own voice and the delay interval between replies is about 1 to 2 seconds. This doesn't happen when I'm talking to my friend in Southern Germany with Skype.
Thanks for all the resonses guys. Maybe I should try Skype with some friends/Family in Europe...that would probably be the cheapest option.
When you get the echo it is slightly annoying, but about the same if you ever get it on a cell call, the only time I have gotten a delay or echo is when my daughter is downloading the bittorrents (going to check out a newer Modem from Comcast to see if that helps), otherwise no problems. I don't think you will have a problem with Skype since they are popular & #3 in choice for VoIP & didn't Ebay just buy them?
Yup, eBay bought Skype for $2.5 billion: http://www.skype.com/company/news/2005/skype_ebay.html http://www.skype.com/company/news/2005/skype_ebaycompletesacquisition.html
Andy, here is an article that just came out on CNET about Skype & other VoIP companies and concerns about worms and other attacks by hackers, but it mainly talks about some flaws recently found in the Skype software. http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3513_7-6370306-1.html?tag=nl.e501
Anyone read The World is Flat? They talk about how the overinvestment in the .com boom with regards to wiring and cabling, and how that is now providing us with dirt cheap wireless, and now VOIP as the technology develops. Interesting to go back on the trend and see how what happened in the 90s impacts what we're doing now...
