Skype?

[yoko*]

I'm probably going to make a lot of out-of-province calls in the future, but I don't want to pay that much for a cellphone plan with long distance minutes because I think it will end up costing more than something like skype, or that I won't end up using my long distance minutes enough for it to be worth the added cost, so I'm considering the pay-as-you-go skype.

Anyone pay for skype and feel it's worth it, or is there anything else that's cheaper or better out there? My friend uses skype to dial phones (her bf lives in the states) but, I notice that everytime she calls me on skype there is a bit of a lag. Like sometimes we'll be talking at the same time and she wouldn't notice that I am talking while she is. This is definitely a lagging issue, not her being inconsiderate (we always talked on the phone in vancouver thorugh landlines/cellphone but it was never an issue).

Thoughts/suggestions?

[rawb]

probably get similar rates with a calling card or unlimited ld plan imho
unless you're calling china or qatar or some shit

[yoko*]

I don't know about that, calling cards have limits...

the skype plan was unlimited canada/us calling for $2.75/month (somewhere around there) or call anywhere for around $9.75/month (somewhere around there) or pay-as-you-go.

[rawb]

i just wanted to type out qatar

say qatar yoko

[rawb]

but seriously the voice path on a calling card is going to be much better
like phone -> VOIP internet transfer -> phone is going to come up against a lot less bullshi than skype program -> residential line -> isp hell -> internet -> voip -> phone

isn't your people worth like 5 extra bucks!

[mojo]

I use it all the time and it is great. Yep, def. a lag, but that is tolerable for $.02 a minute from Central America to home....or free from computer to computer. It makes staying in touch a hell of a lot easier for me, cus usually when i'm on the phone i am on my computer anyways (when home) so i can still surf away while yakking away.
0.02

[galaxie]

Telus = $17 per month unlimited US and Canada landline

I use Bravo phone cards on my cell, you get 2222 minutes for $20!

[rustybob]

If you're with Rogers/Fido, and you're contract is almost up (or you're willing to go on contract), call in and ask for retentions, tell them you want the $5/1000 Canadian LD minute feature.

If a home phone will do, Acanac is my VOIP provider. If you pre-pay for a year, it's $119.20 for a year of service that included unlimited long distance anywhere in the US or Canada.

[stephen_c]

sucks skypein isn't available here.
too much big telecom monopoly in canada.

[thebobman]

Originally Posted by galaxie

Telus = $17 per month unlimited US and Canada landline

Telus Landline
UNLIMITED LOCAL CALLING
$17.95 for 3 months, $26.95 after 3 months
LONG DISTANCE CALLING
Canada wide $19.95, USA & Canada wide $23.95 ($46.90/$50.90 w/landline)

Skype is considerably cheaper, although you do need a lot more additional hardware as well as an internet connection to make any calls. Having said that a basic Shaw high-speed account is $40.95/mo, Telus' high-speed is $35.95/mo and Skype US/Canada Unlimited is $2.95, Worldwide Unlimited is $9.95)

VoIP, as a technology, has matured to a point where, if you plan on getting (or already have) an internet connection, getting a landline is a pretty silly idea. If you already have a cellphone go with calling cards, but keep in mind that wifi-enabled cellphones will be showing up in droves in the next few years, might make sense to get on the skype band-wagon now.

[Krusha]

if you just wanna be lazy and use your cell

5 peeps anywhere in canada unlimited is $15 a month w/ Telus ... sounds like you're just calling a handful of people

but VOIP will be the future, there have been people trying to tweak the ipod touch to do just that (but it needs a mic)