Phone service on the cheap

[SoulRaven]

Phone service on the cheap

From about 2008 to just a month ago I had a Magic Jack VOIP phone that I used over hard-wired and now verizon 4G wireless data. Magic jack updated their software w/o my consent BTW and it became useless on my 2011 netbook plus the service went from $20 to $35 per year, plus their app did not work on my old Android 2.2 smart phone. ($49 3g Virgin Mobile special)

So I used Upptalk, which was totally free but did not work100% and had a nasty echo. So recently Upptalk changed their business model to offer just 10 free minutes of outbound calls per month. I bought into an unlimited monthly plan for $2.99/month thru Google Play, which would be about the same as a Magic jack reup but I could use it on the smart phone when I am away from the cabin. The service was OK but a lot of times it would take 2 trys to connect and the echo issue. About 20 days into the month I would try and make an outbound call and destination not allowed comes on the screen. An e-mail (no phone support) to Uptalk in Spain took 2 days to respond with them asking me more questions that one would need for a top-secret government clearance.

The solution is to use my Goggle voice phone number (I use this as a permanent inbound number that does not change if I change carriers) set up so that a voicemail is left on Google server then translated to text with the attached wave file to my Gmail account.
I forward any calls to my Upptalk number (inbound calls are free but limited to 45 mins). A text message sent to Goggle Voice is forwarded to my gmail and I can respond to a text in the Gmail app.

For outbound voice phone calls I use an app called WePhone. It only makes outbound voice calls but no inbound or texting. A random 777 # shows up on the other parties caller ID so they can’t call you back or even identify your calling number. WePhone works 100% of the time with great call quality with standard service of .0059 cents per min ($1buys 169 outbound mins) that rollover.

 

[pseudo_mccoy]

Glad you got away from Magic Jack. I've only heard discouraging things about that service. Never tried it myself, but earlier this year I gave wifi calling a shot on my nexus 7 with google voice + GrooVeIP. It wasn't perfect, but I got 100% free voice and text about 90% of the time. I never got around to setting up the voicemail to text thing but that sounds cool. Some find being limited to a wifi signal is restrictive but that wasn't a problem for me. I'd feel dumb holding a tablet against my face out on the street anyway.

I went into my voip adventure knowing google would (probably) eventually restrict third party access. I'm not sure how that all shook out but now you've got me curious so I may do some digging later. You can't beat free, right?

As for WePhone, I'm all about the disruptive tech. Thanks for bringing it up. Nosy support staff aside, would you recommend this app? I'm not an expert by any means but there's a few things about it that doesn't feel right. Then again, I'm fairly paranoid.

I'm certain the future of voice calls is data. Props on being a trailblazer! I'm looking forward to the day major carriers are phased out and solutions like this replace them. Afaik, no matter what service you use, voip has issues at the present. But this looks promising. I'll be keeping an eye on it.

 

[SoulRaven]

I had issues with Uptalk tech.

We phone gives you 30 free mins to try b/4 you buy. It installed with no BS and works flawlessly.

 

[offroad]

I tend to use a couple VOIP services as the quality varies day to day. Will use SKYPE voice and pay their 2 cents per minute fee.

The trick with Skype is it always works with high quality. And I can do group calls with it. Plus if someone has Skype on their end the call is free.

---

Have also used VIBER and FRING and NIMBUZZ and TALKATONE and FREEDOMPOP and VONAGE all with varying levels of success and failure.

 

[wagoneer]

My head is spinning so many choices. I use at&t Go Phone and do not give my number out. My kids ask "why have a phone when no one calls you" I reply, because I don't want anyone to call me except in an emergency so 6 people have my cell number and I don't need to look for a pay-phone. $100 dollars lasts me a year and a half. Caseyc do not I repeat do not give my number out c.o.l (chuckle out loud)

 

[caseyc]

Your wish is my command. Wagoneer's direct cell phone number is: 1-876-FOR-STUD

My head is spinning so many choices. I use at&t Go Phone and do not give my number out. My kids ask "why have a phone when no one calls you" I reply, because I don't want anyone to call me except in an emergency so 6 people have my cell number and I don't need to look for a pay-phone. $100 dollars lasts me a year and a half. Caseyc do not I repeat do not give my number out c.o.l (chuckle out loud)

 

[offroad]

We are talking only VOIP here I think. Not cell service. VOIP is different.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

[strike]If you have google voice number[/strike], you can use an app like talk-a-tone( does have visual ads but its free), which will turn it into a regular phone. I tested this on a phone that did not have cell service but had wifi. You can make and receive calls [strike]once you set it up properly with google voice[/strike].


Edit: Looks like they changed it since then to limit outgoing calls unless you pay up :\ Looks like it is because google shut down the third party support.

 

[offroad]

There is a service called SMIR.ch that allows internet interaction via text. It can do almost anything via text.

Smir.ch has no advertisements costs.

The alternative service you suggest includes advertisements or costs $2 monthly for ad free version. Still think this is a bargain.