StarsFan4Life

Golden Member
May 28, 2008
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I am thinking of signing up for a Skype account since all my wife and I have are cell phones. I was looking at the $2.95 plan from Skype for unlimted calls to anywhere in the US/Canada. However, I couldn't find whether or not that means I have a "phone number" where people can call me back...leave a voicemail.....show caller ID....etc.

Is Skype worth it?

If it is, how much monthly would it cost to be able to get the following features:

* Unlimted Calls to anyone in the US
* Unlimted calls to my own "number" where people outside of Skype (Lan lines and cell phones) can reach me
* Show Caller ID
* Voicemail

I hope you guys can help!
 

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
46
91
you buy the "skype-in" number separately, it should be on the skype site. i think i paid ~ $60/year for the same plan you're looking at, pus the number which included VM and ID.

i liked it but i re-activate my landline with the fios package and for faxes.

see my sig for a nice phone :)
 

StarsFan4Life

Golden Member
May 28, 2008
1,199
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So do they have a monthly fee instead of a year subscription for the features I want? Also, is there any type of email notification on missed calls or voicemails like Vonage has?
 

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
46
91
yes, i was paying monthly for a while.

never looked into email notifications.
 

Dirigible

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2006
5,961
32
91
The $3/month plan lets you call out but doesn't give you a phone number for others to call you. I tried it for a bit but found it a little too laggy.
 

1sikbITCH

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2001
4,194
574
126
Originally posted by: StarsFan4Life
Any other suggestions rather than Skype?

I have a MagicJack for home use. It works fine as long as I'm not hogging up the bandwidth with torrents. I have really slow broadband as it is. Since we mostly use email and cellphones, the MagicJack sends and receives maybe 5 calls a month.
It also emails me my VM's as wav files.
 

eplebnista

Lifer
Dec 3, 2001
24,123
36
91
Originally posted by: 1sikbITCH
Originally posted by: StarsFan4Life
Any other suggestions rather than Skype?

I have a MagicJack for home use. It works fine as long as I'm not hogging up the bandwidth with torrents. I have really slow broadband as it is. Since we mostly use email and cellphones, the MagicJack sends and receives maybe 5 calls a month.
It also emails me my VM's as wav files.

I use a MagicJack also. Great device for making occasional free long distance calls.
 
Apr 17, 2005
13,465
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i use the basic $3/month skype plan to make calls and it works great. call quality is solid. i've never looked into getting the phone number for skype but last i looked it was 40 bucks a month or something.
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
22,114
1
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I do not have cell phone reception in my house, so I ended up getting the Skype $3 plan with a Skype-In number (~$6/month). I bought the GE DECT 6.0 2-in-1 Cordless phone w/Skype firmware so it plugs directly into my router. So far it has been awesome!
 

coldmeat

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2007
9,234
142
106
I have a Skype phone, and I use it for outgoing calls. SkypeIn numbers aren't available in Canada for some reason.
 

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
46
91
Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
i use the basic $3/month skype plan to make calls and it works great. call quality is solid. i've never looked into getting the phone number for skype but last i looked it was 40 bucks a month or something.

$18 for 3 months, $60/yr
 

Q

Lifer
Jul 21, 2005
12,046
4
81
I like Skype, haven't used it in a while, but I'd imagine it's a great phone service
 

AnonymouseUser

Diamond Member
May 14, 2003
9,943
107
106
Use it for home and work (one number + logged in both places). Quite pleased with Skype, not as pleased with the Skype phones - Linksys and VTech (minor annoyances). I will likely look into one of the WiFi Skype phones next time I am in the market for one.

$66/yr for Unlimited US + Skype-Out + Skype-In Number (+ $.025/m to England)
 

axelfox

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
6,719
1
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Originally posted by: StarsFan4Life
Any other suggestions rather than Skype?

Gizmo5. No unlimited calling plans, but about 11 cents per minute to CONUS. You prepay for credit, no monthly plans. Call in numbers run $12/3 months or $35/year, and you get VM included.
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,886
0
76
All I know about skype is that my roommate used it to webcam with his girlfriend alot last semester. They talked about sex. A lot. Graphically. I told him my headphones were noise canceling (kind of are really, just not active canceling), but I can still hear fine when nothing's playing. Oh wow I've never had to try harder in my life to not crack up laughing...
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
22,114
1
0
Originally posted by: yh125d
All I know about skype is that my roommate used it to webcam with his girlfriend alot last semester. They talked about sex. A lot. Graphically. I told him my headphones were noise canceling (kind of are really, just not active canceling), but I can still hear fine when nothing's playing. Oh wow I've never had to try harder in my life to not crack up laughing...

Did you get a chub?
 

Finalnight

Golden Member
Mar 5, 2003
1,891
1
76
I use my skype for home use. When the program is not running, I have it forward the calls to my cell. I give everyone my Skype #, not my cell number.