Chile Forum

El Zorro wrote:I’ve heard some people use Skype. Any thoughts about it?

A feature many look for in VOIP is BYOD (bring your own device). This means their interface or protocol is open (SIP?) and you can use any ATA (analog telephone adapter) to connect a standard telephone. This may be important to people because they have a favorite phone (a wireless?) and/or they want to connect the ATA to their router so they have always-on telephone service without leaving their computer turned on forever.

I'm not too familiar with Skype, I always see references to "Skype phones." That gives me the impression they're not BYOD.

For some people (especially this audience) BYOD may not be important. They make so few calls that it's not a problem to turn on the computer, attach the headset, etc.

voipvoip.com is BYOD. But, beside that, I'd say voipvoip and Skype are equivalent. Free calls to users on the same service. Cheap calls to traditional phones. And, about $70 a year for a real phone number if you want traditional phones to call you.

I notice Skype has a feature called "Skype to go." I don't completely understand it. But, it sounds like you can buy a traditional phone number in one of the countries available (of which Chile is one) and make international calls with any phone at Skype's rates (and without getting onto Skype with your computer). It requires a monthly subscription, etc. For infrequent calling there are other services that should be cheaper (like calling cards, or callback services in the US).

MagicJack is a little different. It's not BYOD in the sense that you can connect to a router (like voipvoip). But, it is BYOD in the sense you can connect any analog phone to your computer (unlike Skype). They say BYOD is coming. You get a traditional telephone number for $20 a year. There's no distinction of calls to peers (on the same service) or traditional phones. It's all free (to US and Canada numbers) for $20 a year. Calls to numbers outside the US and Canada are at rates similar to voipvoip and Skype.

So, I think it depends on each person's needs. Whether they need an always-on phone, use any phone, maintain a US or Canada number, if they'll make a lot of calls (unlimited for $20), or just occasionally (pay-as-you-go at voipvoip or skype).

I like the idea of maintaining a US phone number because my bank, credit card company, etc. can call me without knowing I've moved. With MagicJack they reach voice mail. MagicJack forwards it to my email. I call them back using MagicJack (for free) and explain how I was just outside mowing the yard...

I wonder how long before this is regulated like mail forwarding services were. It's obvious that this is wide open for abuse, impersonating identities, etc. I've heard there are a handful of countries that block VOIP calls. But, I don't know if that's due to abuse, or if the guy who owns the country's traditional telephone service is politically well-connected.

Mark

MikieO wrote:I'm in Concepcion right now, used the magicjack thing to get my vm on my home cellphone using public wi fi. Not as clear as I'd like but ....? I've called a few people at home and they've been impressed. Trying to get my customs shipment squared away, what a battle!

FYI, using your MagicJack you can dial 909-390-0003. This is an echo test. Anything you say will be echoed back to you. It gives you an idea of what the other side is hearing.

I learned of another useful VOIP service, http://www.vbuzzer.com. It's pay-as-you-go. 1.5 cents per minute to US numbers. The interesting thing about this service is that it uses port 80 (standard http, web browsing stuff). This is useful to me because often I'm connected through a VPN to my employer. Their firewall won't let MagicJack through. I set up static routes to force MagicJack through my local network. For some reason it only works half the time. So, this service using port 80 is a nice backup. I can tell it to go through my employer's web proxy, and make calls when (for some reason) MagicJack won't operate using the VPN and my static routes.

Vbuzzer also has a reasonable price (compared to Skype or Vonage) for a US number (so people can call you). It's $25 a year. And then you pay 1.5 cents per minute. MagicJack is $20 a year plus unlimited calling. So, not as economical. But, pretty close compared to the more traditional services (that charge about $70 a year for a US number.).

Mark

MikieO wrote:hi Mark, what I particularly like about MJ is that I was able to get a local (So Cal) number. I would hope that MJ will stay around long enough for me to get some use out of it after I move!

You can get US numbers from various services. But, they're usually $70 a year. MJ's $20 a year is a bargain (with unlimited calling too). Vbuzzer's $25 a year is a close second (with 1.5 cents per minute calling). So, even if MJ folds, vbuzzer might be the next best best thing for those of us who just need to maintain a number, and don't make a lot of calls.

As far as MJ's viability. It's speculative. VOIP companies don't have a good track record. Some say MJ can't sustain their service at $20 a year. But, others say MJ is different because they're a real telephone company, not a reseller. MJ intends to generate additional revenue by selling ads through the softphone. That causes controversy.

For me, I don't care. I just want to maintain a US number cheaply. I don't plan to make a lot of calls (which could be data mined). I don't care how they do it. But, it's nice to have vbuzzer as a backup. They don't have nearly as many area codes to choose from. But, for those who've departed permanently, it shouldn't matter.

Mark