Skype or Vonage...is it worth it?

#1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 10:12 PM

Gentlemen -

Traveling abroad, I usually call home on my Vivo/Moviestar cell phone, and although it can get expensive, not sure what other options are out there other than hitting up the local Internet Cafe. I try to avoid interrnet cafes--no privacy, it's loud, etc. That said, most times my Laptop travels along with me and I hear Vonage or Skype is the best way to go. So you just go to their website and download the software and buy a Headset?

Looking for ideas to stay in touch.

Appreciate any advice.

Thanks

Tinto · #2 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008, 12:24 AM

Ray,

I've been a customer of Vonage for a number of years now and really like having the ability to make and receive calls from a US based phone number wherever I am at. You can be out of the country and your friends/clients would never know. I think that the quality of the calls is superior to that of Skype's.

You'll need a router from Vonage to bring with you which is about the size of a modem to make it work although they do have software for use on your computer.

I think that there are some real changes taking place in international calls and with cell phone technology. Bueller started a thread not too long ago about this very subject that you may find helpful.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...nes-wifi_x.htm

http://www.mercola.com/2003/mar/29/wireless_modems.htm

Charlie640 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008, 12:56 PM

Just bought a Sandisk Cruzer USB Flash Drive with built in Skype. Whats unique about this USB Drive is that it is NOT only good for storing files / data. Its a smart Flash Drive with it own desktop and best of all , you can actually run and execute programs that are stored on the drive. Programs must be U3 compatible. It comes pre-loaded with Skype.
So even if your PC does not have Skype.. just plug in your USB drive and your good to go. Where this comes in handy is if you go to a internet cafe.
If you use internet cafes, this program, when installed on this Flash Drive, will help with privacy issues. http://www.eisst.com/products/private_browser/.
You can also install a password vault that I believe will fill in passwords for you.. which might thwart any keyloggers that might be in a public PC. I need to explore this myself.

I use Skype and recommend it since there is not need for any extra hardware like with Vonage. Vonage probably has better voice quality.. but Skype is very acceptable.

Cap'n Jib · #4 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008, 10:15 PM

The only experience I have is with Skype and for the most part it works well. The Mrs. has good connections with calling Colombia so that is a real plus for us.

Airto · #5 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 07:43 PM

If my plans go as I would like them to I will be going south within the next 3 months and I want a phone to take with me that will allow me to be able to call the states if I need to. I have no Idea about rate but I found a world phone that will work in 170 countries including Colombia. The phone is only $99 (if you want to buy it)and they advertise that you only pay for usage after that. Within the link there are rates for usage, can anyone tell me if this is a good idea or tell me something that is more realistic.

http://www.mobalrental.com/gsm/handsets.asp

Supermary · #6 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 11:09 PM

I use Skype. I remember this one guy used to have a vonage router thing and he was always going "what, what, I can't hear you!" on his phone. I've also seen some vonage USB things that looks like pendrives and comes with a little headset thing... I think that was in a best buy or a circuit city or something like that. I never used vonage, but I never had a problem. I don't know if vonage offers this, but with skype you can buy a phone number for a wide variety of countries and cities. So like, when I want to call G, I dial a local sao paulo number he bought on Skype and it forwards it to his cell phone and the call quality is pretty good. He pays the forwarding rate though, which is like 2 cents a minute, since he is fwding to an US cell phone.

KPunch2 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 09:38 AM

You cant go wrong with Skype. You can hook-up almost anywhere and some calls are free compared to Vonage. Besides, Vonage is too sensitive and a real pain in the ass if your internet connection is sub par.

Underwriter · #8 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airto

If my plans go as I would like them to I will be going south within the next 3 months and I want a phone to take with me that will allow me to be able to call the states if I need to. I have no Idea about rate but I found a world phone that will work in 170 countries including Colombia. The phone is only $99 (if you want to buy it)and they advertise that you only pay for usage after that. Within the link there are rates for usage, can anyone tell me if this is a good idea or tell me something that is more realistic.

http://www.mobalrental.com/gsm/handsets.asp

The rates per minute seem a tad bit high to me.....

uw

Tinto · #9 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 12:39 PM

Airto,

Those rates sound very high.

Check out this thread for ideas on a world phone. I am still looking into it but I think a WiFi phone might be the way to go.

Skype has been offering WiFi phones that I'm sure would work in Colombia.

Greg White · #10 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 01:30 PM

Better think twice about Vonage; if you get the service and want to disconnect, you will get the biggest runaround of your life.

I had their service last year when I went to Norway for work (wish I still had that job, man I can do some stupid things sometime, like quitting the best paying job I ever had; WTF), and when I quit the job it took me nearly 2hrs one afternoon to get those pricks to cancel my account. I have never been so hard sold "another option" in my life. Whew!

GW