Best option for voice over IP on a cell phone (HTC Thunderbolt)

[Obsoleet]

I have a work phone with a very low minute plan, and a 4G data plan.. I'd like to use Skype or Google Voice and be able to chat with the 1 person I actually use my phone with at-length.

Does Google Voice use plan minutes? (I don't have Friends and Family on this phone)
Does Skype unlimited for $2.99 a month work on phones like mine?

Thanks in advance.

 

[alent1234]

is this a family member? why not just split a family cell plan on the same carrier?

or ask this person to switch their cell to the same carrier as your work phone and you can talk for free

 

[mosco]

I think you want to use Skype for this. Google voice is not voip.

You have 2 options assuming that the skype for android works like the iphone one:

1) If the other person has a smart phone, then you can just have them install skype too and you can make free skype to skype calls. They can also use a computer to do this.

2) Pay the 2.99 month for skype calling to the US

Be prepared though, using 3G/4G data for calling is probably going to use a lot more battery than using Voice minutes would. Especially if you are using 4G. Might be wise to invest in either a extra/extended battery or some type of mobile battery pack.

 

[Obsoleet]

For now, I forwarded my old line to this number, utilizing it's minutes.

As far as the 2.99 a month, I dont think that it will work like that? Doesn't it still use minutes? I didn't think there was any way around using minutes on Verizon, unless you used Skype to Skype calling.

 

[bonkers325]

if you pay for a higher tiered minute plan, they give u several numbers u can call for free... but that defeats the purpose of what you propose

 

[gsaldivar]

Saw this on Reddit today, haven't tried it yet...

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.gvoip

 

[NetGuySC]

You really need to look into line2

http://www.line2.com/

Its costs $10 a month but uses wi-fi and 3g to make calls, not minutes from your plan (unless wi-fi and 3g aren't available)

I use it with my virgin mobile $25, 300 minute, unlimited data plan and it just works. The vast majority of my calls don't use my minutes at all.

Yes google voice does use minutes unless you are part of a friends and family plan. Skype unlimited I don't know anything about.

Also you can port a cell or home number to Line2.

 

[Obsoleet]

if you pay for a higher tiered minute plan, they give u several numbers u can call for free... but that defeats the purpose of what you propose

My company won't let me pay the difference. I was willing to shell out the difference, ~$500 or so. I have the family and friends pack on my old line that is being forwarded.

I'll probably look into Line2.. esp having first-hand account that it works as it's intended. It's cheaper than the $60+ I'm paying for my old line.

 

[cronos]

For now, I forwarded my old line to this number, utilizing it's minutes.

As far as the 2.99 a month, I dont think that it will work like that? Doesn't it still use minutes? I didn't think there was any way around using minutes on Verizon, unless you used Skype to Skype calling.

Skype does not use minutes.

The early version of Skype did not allow you to make a Skype call to a phone line without using wi-fi. However, the latest version (released maybe about a week ago) does allow you to utilize your mobile data connection, and I have tested this myself. It did not use minutes, only data.

 

[NetGuySC]

I am also using Line2 as a result of my company phone having just a 200 minutes share available and I have to pay 10 cents per minute for personal calls. By using Line2 I still make all my personal calls and still stay within the 200 minute share that I am alloted, being that Verizon's 3G service is so well in this county I rarely have to use verizon minutes to make any call.

After seeing how well it worked on my wife's phone I installed it on the Droid provided to me at work.

I wish I could completely replace the droid dialer but it is impossible for any dialer to replace the stock droid dialer.

The one thing I would change about Line2 is that I wish there was a way to enable a speed dial into the line2 dialer.

 

[Obsoleet]

Skype does not use minutes.

The early version of Skype did not allow you to make a Skype call to a phone line without using wi-fi. However, the latest version (released maybe about a week ago) does allow you to utilize your mobile data connection, and I have tested this myself. It did not use minutes, only data.

On VZW or another carrier? Because from what I've read, it's VZW that doesnt allow customers to go around their minute plans, other carriers do.

 

[cronos]

On VZW or another carrier? Because from what I've read, it's VZW that doesnt allow customers to go around their minute plans, other carriers do.

I'm with AT&T, but I did read up about Skype and Verizon regarding this matter. I believe there are two different Skype clients available for Verizon customers, the regular Skype from the Android market, which is what I mentioned above, and Skype Mobile, which is an application tailored specifically for Verizon's users.

From my understanding, Skype Mobile does act like you mentioned and take up minutes, but Skype for Android from the Market does not. If I were you I'd go ahead and try it out. Install Skype for Android, check your minutes, and use it for a few minutes call. You should be able to find out easily whether or not it is using your minutes.

 

[Obsoleet]

I've seen the two apps and if you read the reviews on them, people say it uses minutes on both. I know the VZW app does use minutes for sure, and from what I could find, the Skype version allows you to call other Skype users on their phone with a dataplan/Skype installed for free.. but not free minutes over data to non-Skype numbers. I can't imagine the imperialistic VZW allowing this in such a popular app, well-known and freely available to any dataplan user.
I might test it out, but my research gives me sincere doubts.

 

[Obsoleet]

An update- I ended up trying the trial of Line2 and liked it enough I subscribed. $50 for 6 months. I'd like to give Skype a try to see if it's better or not, but (and this is flawed logic) Line2 is a little more expensive, I'm guessing the QOS is a little better because of that. I know there are a few features in Line2 that Skype doesn't support like call waiting ect.
Overall I'm willing to pay a measly $10 a month for something that's going to work for me.

I found this link that states Skype uses your minutes when on Verizon. So Line2 or one of the other alternatives are probably the best bet for VZW customers.
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=783637

 

[ponyo]

Did you try GrooVe IP app that was mentioned? $3.99 one-time fee for the paid app and free calling using WiFi or 3G/4G.

 

[Obsoleet]

I don't think anyone mentioned GrooveIP before you. I haven't heard of that one. It looks like it works in conjunction with Google provided number. Does it work well? edit- I see a comment that says you have to log out of Gchat everywhere else for GrooveIP to work properly with GVoice. I don't think that'd work well for me as I use Gchat at/for work.. I'm frequently logged in at multiple locations.

My only complaint about Line2 so far is poor bluetooth performance. You have to keep the phone relatively close to the earpiece or the person on the other end won't hear you well. I have a Jawbone Icon and it works extremely well with the phone natively, but Line2 it's only usable.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I don't think anyone mentioned GrooveIP before you. I haven't heard of that one. It looks like it works in conjunction with Google provided number. Does it work well? edit- I see a comment that says you have to log out of Gchat everywhere else for GrooveIP to work properly with GVoice. I don't think that'd work well for me as I use Gchat at/for work.. I'm frequently logged in at multiple locations.

My only complaint about Line2 so far is poor bluetooth performance. You have to keep the phone relatively close to the earpiece or the person on the other end won't hear you well. I have a Jawbone Icon and it works extremely well with the phone natively, but Line2 it's only usable.

You can probably just create a second google account just for the GV number and use that.

 

[GT1999]

Do you guys think this $4 Groove IP app will still function months from now or will it be shut down like some other ones I've seen?