Life after Skype

[carride]

Free google voice is not available for sign-up outside the US. However, once signed up, you can use it for texting and calling while outside the US

You do not need to be in US to sign up. You just need to own or borrow a real US phone number to create the GV account. Google will verify with a call, so old-school landlines work, or SMS. So if borrowing a friend's phone number, ask then to answer and use the verify code you tell them. With your verified GV account you turn off forwarding to that real number. Done.

 

[Johnny]

A Colombia expat forum currently has a similar thread. A member posted this:

Skype Number Alternative

What is the best Skype alternative? Get a phone number in any city of choice from $1.79 per month and unlock features Skype never had.

sonetel.com

This is an interesting read. Has anyone here signed up with Sonetel? I'm getting ready to pull the trigger soon on something. Tello sounds good but I'll need to buy a new phone as mine doesn't support an ESIM.

 

[lunar]

Has anyone here signed up with Sonetel?

Sonetel is just one of many SIP providers. SIP is a protocol used to make VOIP (Voice Over IP) calls. The SIP protocol and SIP providers existed long before Skype. Skype simply introduced its own proprietary protocol, and became very popular. Now, with Skype's demise, many people are returning to SIP.

The three biggest SIP VOIP providers for residential users offering U.S. phone numbers are Callcentric.com, VoIP.ms, and Anveo.com. In SIP provider terminology, the phone number you use for incoming calls is called a DID number (Direct Inward Dialing number). Since SIP is a protocol, you usually have to assemble the things you need, rather than getting a single all-in-one package like Skype offered.

If you need simple advice, just go with Callcentric. It has been around for a long time and is known for being reasonably reliable. I've heard good things about their SMS app. The prices aren't the cheapest, but they are reasonable. (Google Voice is free, but I’m guessing you’re unable to get a Google Voice number for some reason.)

To get a phone number from Callcentric, check the plans on their website. The "Dollar Unlimited" plan gives you a number in certain selected states - likely rural areas. The "Pay Per Minute" plan is better if you want the number to match your preferred U.S. location.

You can add their basic SMS messaging feature on top of your phone number plan. It costs $1/month, plus 1 cent per message.

When you sign up with a SIP provider, you’ll get a SIP address like "[email protected]". To place calls, you can use a softphone such as Zoiper (there are many other options). Zoiper has a desktop and mobile clients. Incoming calls to your phone number will ring through the softphone app.

It’s kind of the same story as with email. You can get an email account and address from one provider, but then use Thunderbird on your desktop and a third-party email app on your mobile device. With SIP providers, it’s similar: you get a SIP address, which you can use with different apps or devices, and connect phone numbers, depending on your needs.

 

[Paige55]

I took the leap to Tello. Was able to successfully buy a plan and set up my esim on my cell phone. After only one failed attempt (though it initially said the phone didn't accept my esim, I waited and noticed it was functioning). Was able to call my dad's landline in the U.S. and will now attempt to port my existing Skype number I'd bought to Tello and hopefully get my bank sms code when I make my monthly bank transfer next month.

You have to be connected to wifi calling to be able to use the free calls/sms function on the plan and it's a bit pricier than skype. No data but unlimited calls/texts is about $12/month but I call my dad often so it's worth it. They have cheaper plans and pay-as-you-go options. I'll update with whether the port is successful, but they give you a U.S. based line if you need one (based on an address you input upon purchase). Relatively easy and I'm really not good with tech. Hope all are slowly finding their replacement services!

For Tello, you do need a compatible cell phone (you can check to see if yours would work via their website).

 

[Paige55]

I took the leap to Tello. Was able to successfully buy a plan and set up my esim on my cell phone. After only one failed attempt (though it initially said the phone didn't accept my esim, I waited and noticed it was functioning). Was able to call my dad's landline in the U.S. and will now attempt to port my existing Skype number I'd bought to Tello and hopefully get my bank sms code when I make my monthly bank transfer next month.

You have to be connected to wifi calling to be able to use the free calls/sms function on the plan and it's a bit pricier than skype. No data but unlimited calls/texts is about $12/month but I call my dad often so it's worth it. They have cheaper plans and pay-as-you-go options. I'll update with whether the port is successful, but they give you a U.S. based line if you need one (based on an address you input upon purchase). Relatively easy and I'm really not good with tech. Hope all are slowly finding their replacement services!

For Tello, you do need a compatible cell phone (you can check to see if yours would work via their website).

Ported Skype number over in 2 minutes flat and Skype number is already showing on my account. Set up voicemail with no issue. Now, to test the bank sms next month. I'm hoping it passes muster and I can stop stressing about Skype leaving us expats in a cloud of tainted dust. haha

 

[argeiCanuck]

I used to use "wePhone" app to call my bank in Toronto. It was perfect. 20 hours for 10 Dollars. Waiting in the bank's phone queue for half an hour or one hour did not cost more than ONE Dollar. Recently it seems that the bank totally blocked "wePhone" app. It starts to ring and then immediately disconnect.

Calling directly with Claro or Movistar is near ONE Dollar a minute.

Any other alternative? Much appreciate your suggestions.