The pain of Long Distance doesn't have to efffect your wallet!

Yeah I got a cordless "skype" phone for the computer which has been super rad, since now I'm not tied to the computer!

I just did this too and it's totally awesome.  And it was great the first time I used it to call my brother's cell and he was like "How are you calling me from an 895 number??? Are you in the US?!?!"

Sounds like Skype uses the same principles as Talkster or Rebtel, but are you still paying a fee?

Sounds like Skype uses the same principles as Talkster or Rebtel, but are you still paying a fee?

Yeah I am, but it's fine.  I know my Mom would get frustrated trying to access caller ID to be able to call back if I was using Talkster.  Plus I can call my foreign exchange sister in Thailand.  I don't get many cell/mobile minutes a month, and the ones I do get are precious.  So for £7 a month for unlimited international calls to mobiles/landlines in the US and Thailand I'm quite happy.

Yeah I am, but it's fine.  I know my Mom would get frustrated trying to access caller ID to be able to call back if I was using Talkster.  Plus I can call my foreign exchange sister in Thailand.  I don't get many cell/mobile minutes a month, and the ones I do get are precious.  So for £7 a month for unlimited international calls to mobiles/landlines in the US and Thailand I'm quite happy.

£7 P/M sounds really good. I agree that for my parents & grandmother this maybe a better, more straightforward option. Thanks for the suggestion

£7 P/M sounds really good. I agree that for my parents & grandmother this maybe a better, more straightforward option. Thanks for the suggestion

If you just get the North America plan, it's only $2.95/mo, which is even better.  Getting your phone number will cost $24/yr on top of that, but I feel it's worth it to have a dedicated US number for family to use to call you on.

Yeah I got a cordless "skype" phone for the computer which has been super rad, since now I'm not tied to the computer!

I want one so bad, but Tim can't understand why!  I might just ask my mom to buy it for me for Christmas

If you just get the North America plan, it's only $2.95/mo, which is even better.  Getting your phone number will cost $24/yr on top of that, but I feel it's worth it to have a dedicated US number for family to use to call you on.

I want one so bad, but Tim can't understand why!  I might just ask my mom to buy it for me for Christmas

Signing up in the UK I think the cost for the Skype plan is different than in the US....

However you should tell Tim to get on it with buying you the phone!!! LOL.  The one I got is currently 1/2 off at Argos!!!

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5523977/Trail/searchtext%3EBINATONE.htm

£7 P/M sounds really good. I agree that for my parents & grandmother this maybe a better, more straightforward option. Thanks for the suggestion

Exactly why I did it.  It's a lot more straightforward...And now I call my Mom ALL the time.

Signing up in the UK I think the cost for the Skype plan is different than in the US....

I think we previously figured out how to access the US rate for North America from the UK, and it had something to do with changing your country at the top of the website to "US".

I think we previously figured out how to access the US rate for North America from the UK, and it had something to do with changing your country at the top of the website to "US".

Ahhhh sneaky.    Well, I've only signed up for 3 months (could also be why it's more per month) so I'll have to try that after my 3 months is up. Thanks!!!

I'm actually thinking about doing something like this myself;was planning on going through Vonage and transferring my US mobile number to a US Vonage account here in England. Also they have an app for the iPhone...

...BUT it appears from what I've researched and you guys have confirmed, Skype may be a more economical approach (Vonage would cost £15-20 a month I think).

Just to confirm though, if I sign up for Skype through the US rates, I could get a sim card and call through that number from my UK mobile network?  Also, can all calls to your Skype/US number (like, calls I'd receive from fam/friends from the US) you created be re-routed so that they go through the UK mobile phone? 

If anyone has any input on my options based on your own experiences that'd be great!

Just to confirm though, if I sign up for Skype through the US rates, I could get a sim card and call through that number from my UK mobile network?  Also, can all calls to your Skype/US number (like, calls I'd receive from fam/friends from the US) you created be re-routed so that they go through the UK mobile phone? 

If anyone has any input on my options based on your own experiences that'd be great!

When you sign up, you'd also need to sign up for a Skype-to-Go number (included with your subscription).  You would then call the Skype-to-Go number from your UK mobile or landline and make calls through it.  In order for calls sent to Skype to go to your UK phone, you would either need to have a subscription that included UK calls or enough credit for the calls to be forwarded.  BUT, keep in mind that calling a UK mobile number is more expensive than calling a landline.

There is a Skype ap for the iPhone, too, so as long as you were signed into Skype on your iPhone, you'd be able to get calls without worrying about forwarding them.

Hi -

Skype sounds like a great alternative and like I have said before I would consider it for my older relatives, but please don't divert too much from the basis of my original posting.

Be creative with your mobile plans, remember most of you in the UK are a least 5 hours away from your US loved ones so lets say you have free calls from your mobile to landlines after 6 PM then this would work well to call in the evenings with Talkster or Rebtel. The numbers they assign you are UK landline numbers.

My BF has unlimited calls to landline numbers all day everyday and trust me he doesn't pay that much for his Orange contract - he is "frugal" that way

I guess my point with this thread was for me to share how NOT to spend money on long distance and feel it has veered off that path a bit.


PS. Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow from the USA

CMG x

Thanks Lady Rebecca, I'll definitely look into that a bit more.   I think that the iPhone would be a good option with all the aps and all, though I'd hate to sound too much like a "snobby" Apple user (though I do adore my MacBook, haha)! 

CMG I'm so sorry if this got off topic from what you intended to discuss.  Perhaps it may have been wise of me to start a separate thread entirely with details about mobile plan rates.  Anyways, the information has been very helpful.

And Happy Thanksgiving to you as well...jealous that you get to celebrate with a proper meal and bank holiday! xx

Thanks Lady Rebecca, I'll definitely look into that a bit more.   I think that the iPhone would be a good option with all the aps and all, though I'd hate to sound too much like a "snobby" Apple user (though I do adore my MacBook, haha)! 

I am in love with my iPod touch, so I know what you mean.

Hi -

Skype sounds like a great alternative and like I have said before I would consider it for my older relatives, but please don't divert too much from the basis of my original posting.

If you're that bothered by it, ask the mods to split off the skype discussion.

 Also, can all calls to your Skype/US number (like, calls I'd receive from fam/friends from the US) you created be re-routed so that they go through the UK mobile phone? 

  In order for calls sent to Skype to go to your UK phone, you would either need to have a subscription that included UK calls or enough credit for the calls to be forwarded.  BUT, keep in mind that calling a UK mobile number is more expensive than calling a landline.

The international plan I got through Skype included call forwarding to my house phone if I'm not on Skype.  Then if I don't pick up the house phone it goes to Skype voicemail, which was also included.  And if I get a Skype voicemail it alerts me by email.

I am so sad.  I can't seem to use Talkster anymore.  The numbers didn't work anymore so I went to the website and it took me right to Rebtel.  So I am guessing free phone calls are over?  I still Skype but it's nice to call from my cell and not have to be near the laptop to call for free.