10 Cents or Cheaper for calls to India

rav

Member
Jan 13, 2000
62
0
0
At Hotfoon.

This is PC 2 Phone.

From April 1st this can come down to 2-3 cents as they open up Internet Telephony.

Cons:

1. Even if line is busy-you are charged 1 minute as connection time is for connecting to gateway.

2. Selected cities for now. Will drastcally change after April 1st.

Call is thrugh PC sound system so use headphones/USB head/hand sets are best.

The cheapest handset is net2phone at compusa for $9.99.

Any other cheap USB hand/head set?
 

Sesopedalian

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,487
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If you can find that net2phone at compusa for $9.99, you will not be using your linked service for awhile because in the package of the forementioned net2phone there is a card that gives you a boatload of free minutes. Shhhh, our little secret, rav. The cards work through the net2phone network on the computer, or from a regular phone. There is also a regular-looking phone that has been on clearance that also comes with a phone card.
 

rav

Member
Jan 13, 2000
62
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0
Update:

1. net2phone usb handset comes with $10 card-but calls to India are costly at approx. 50 cents.

2. I tried this phone this morning works good-bit echo though-sometime u have to wait until other person finish-even though I have duplex USB handset.

Lets wait what April brings for callers to India from US.

 

nMo

Member
Nov 15, 2001
46
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0
Alright! Cheaper calls means more smiles all around. Thanks for the update guys. :)
 

lanb

Member
Apr 4, 2001
189
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Pardon my ignorance, but what is happening on April 1st ? Are VSNL & the "Babus" waking
upto the fact that they cannot continue charging exorbitant taxes & tariffs when technology
is available to provide then same service at a fraction of the cost ?

Thanks for the update & keep us posted on the quality. I may try this over the weekend
and see.

 

rav

Member
Jan 13, 2000
62
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0
lanb- Answer is yes but...VSNL/TRAI still say that ISP 'may' need a licence for VOIP-perhaps after paying hefty fees.

So babushahi survives.

BTW VSNL monopoly on International calls is definitely ending on April 1st.

 

k000

Senior member
Sep 10, 2001
484
0
0
While we are on the topic... what is the cheapest rate avaialable to call India (other than calling cards... ) ! AT&T recently sent me a postcard saying soemthing about Holi and rate s of 42 cents.... I've tossed the card around somewhere in the house... will check it this weekend.

ut anyone... if you know any better rates..... please do share
 

wot2

Junior Member
Dec 17, 2000
13
0
0
Does anybody know if there are any long distance plans (eg Verizon, AT&T ; cell or land line) that allow somebody to call to Europe or other int'l destinations for free at certain hours (i.e. Free nights and weekends if you pay $55/month)?

 

dandruff

Golden Member
Jan 28, 2000
1,407
6
81
I'll stick with ATT 42 cents ..... the lag and echo are too much a bother for me!

until it improves I will stick with ATT!



I dont know how many ppl do this, but his is what I always do:

To get free shipping on Namaste.com I buy a phone card (they are usually on sale during diwali etc.)... figure in free shipping and the calls on a very good card is something like 30 cents or less............... HTH!
 

takhyon

Senior member
Nov 28, 2000
315
0
0
There is a regular long distance service (unfortunately dont remember the name) which charges 29c a minute. Someone called me from the company and I was ready to switch, but, he insisted on knowing my date of birth for the transfer, which I did not want to give him. So, I'm still with AT&T.

But, this sounds like a good deal, if the quality is halfway good.
 

lanb

Member
Apr 4, 2001
189
0
0
I tried wqn once, the quality was ok but the customer service
was bad. They don't credit back for calls that don't get connected.

Something about, 3-5 days to research the call. Never got the
credit.
 

rav

Member
Jan 13, 2000
62
0
0
Calling cards- I have tried 9278.com-they use Worldcom/Qwest so quality was excellent-in fact best so far.

Cities are cheaper but rest of India still at 32 cents is not bad.

It was 1+3 minutes (rounding at 1 min., each call must be at least 3 mins. or something like that).

 

Jokeram

Golden Member
May 9, 2001
1,202
0
0
they don't have the cities that I want.. but there's always hope... lets see what April 1st brings us.
 

rav

Member
Jan 13, 2000
62
0
0
More on 9278.com

9278.com (and most others) operate same way ethnic travel agents work. They do block booking of minutes in advance from Worldcom/Qwest and others. This way they get lowest rate and they pass it to customers with little margin but lot of volume.

My experience:

-I bought card called Hello India, which had 1+3 at 32 cents as I said earlier.

This is much better than of course 6 mins. rounding.

And this card is good even for calls to Cell phone numbers-which are usually much higher.

Customer service of Qwest/Worldcom is very good-just press *1 or something like that.

I checked wqn and card2asia but for cities other than listed (and even for cities listed) I do not see how 9278.com can be beat.

Only little annoyance part is where they flash your IP address and show Bold warning!

I started getting spam (couple so far) from 9278.com but I just unsubscribed-will post what happens now.

I even called 9278.com for customer service and they were very responsive. BTW all of them sounded either IPB (Indo/Pak/Bangla).

I did not get email with my pin, the cute way is to note down access toll free number when you order card and
then immediately after ordering re login and check order status where it shows your PIN
-but it does not show the access toll free number.

This way you do not need to wait for them to send email.

This works for second order and afterwards. First order they usually call you back to make sure that everything is in order.

I guess enough on working of 9278.com cards!




 

nataraj

Member
Jan 24, 2002
77
0
0
I just signed up and paid 10$ by PayPal. Can't dial, though. Always says "busy". Has anyone got it working ?
 

qjj

Member
Aug 30, 2001
112
0
0
This HOTFOON service sucks! I have been trying for the last two days but forget about the call, there is not even a status message!

You keep staring at the screen !!!

Any one had any luck?

Q
 

takhyon

Senior member
Nov 28, 2000
315
0
0
It's been over 2 weeks since I've paid them $10, and I still dont see it in my account. Two emails have gone unanswered.

Any suggestions?
 

gujuTheKid

Member
Aug 31, 2001
47
0
0
I just signed up a couple weeks ago for a pretty good deal with a company called Primus Telecom. They are offering a low rate of 0.28/ min with no line charges, except for a montly fee of $4.xx
I called this weekend and haven't had any problems so far. I'm just happy to be saving some $$.. so I can spend more on Hot Deals.

Has anyone heard of them?
 

qjj

Member
Aug 30, 2001
112
0
0
I think my BiL works for them in India. I will ask him next time I call. May be he can get me little better rates ;)

Q