ways to make calls from US to canada for free or near it

[T2urtle]

I'm looking for easy methods and ways for my parents who are technology challenged to make calls to Canada.

My parents are stuck in the old times of normal TV, IE turn on the TV channels are there. We had issues when they turned on the TV and the comcast box was off. Then we switch to DISH and i got a headache when it was raining/snowing because of reception. Overall we are over those humps but it TOOK A LONG TIME.

They use the computer for youtube, solitaire and this chinese video app that streams things from mainland china. I recently got my parents and my grandparents to use skype, but they dont want to use that as "its not convenient" for them.

What we were currently doing is Vonage with an canada package which ran me $28/month after taxes for 300 minutes. I tried magicjack being like $60/year but it was horrible call quality. I'm canceling the vonage but need a replacement. By default Tmobile has a $10/monthly unlimited call to canada or 50cents per minute. So that saves me a good amount of money.

I've tried to figure out a google voice method but not sure how to get it working 100%. I have an ipad i can donate to them. I've been trying to teach them how to use an ipad, little hard but its working slowly. I know when i was in canada and making calls to home, i used "tap-a-tone" and called via wifi. The app works but it was more of less 1 out of 3 tries. I had no problems but i know my parents will.

Is $10/monthly my best method given my situation?

Also my parents claim to only make an average of 5 calls a year averaging 45-60 minutes per call. But i think once they know its unlimited the calls might go up more often.

 

[Crono]

I used to use a Magic Jack plus Google Voice with a program called GVJack App (after the 1 year of bundled service for Magic Jack expired). Just pay for the device, and the software (one time) and never have to pay for calls again. GV Jack App has some nifty features, too, like white and black listing. Great way to kill robo calls.

Only reason I'm not using it anymore is because I have a Verizon FiOS bundle now.

 

[JoeMcJoe]

Google voice, its free.

Initiate the call from voice.google.com

 

[T2urtle]

I'm going to sign my mom up for a GV account and let her borrow my iPod touch for a week. If all goes well I might get her an iPad or cheap android tablet.

I think this option can work flawless with her.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I'm using Google Voice and the Obi 100 at home. Call quality sounds perfect and other than the $50 for the box, have not had to pay a cent after.

http://www.frys.com/product/6885446

 

[Madwand1]

Fongo (formerly Dell Voice) can give you a local Canadian number, so the calls will be accessible in both ways, but you'd have to pick one best area code for this. If the callers are distributed around Canada, some other idea would be preferable.

You could install Fongo on an old/cheap smartphone on WiFi or an iPod touch. They'd also have to deal with charging the device and entering the password for Fongo.

 

[T2urtle]

Fongo (formerly Dell Voice) can give you a local Canadian number, so the calls will be accessible in both ways, but you'd have to pick one best area code for this. If the callers are distributed around Canada, some other idea would be preferable.

You could install Fongo on an old/cheap smartphone on WiFi or an iPod touch. They'd also have to deal with charging the device and entering the password for Fongo.

Will fongo make the phone/iPod ring like a normal home phone? The charging the device isn't an issue as my parents overcharge everything. Entering a password every time might be a deal breaker.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Will fongo make the phone/iPod ring like a normal home phone? The charging the device isn't an issue as my parents overcharge everything. Entering a password every time might be a deal breaker.

You can turn the password off on an iPod.

 

[Madwand1]

Will fongo make the phone/iPod ring like a normal home phone? The charging the device isn't an issue as my parents overcharge everything. Entering a password every time might be a deal breaker.

Fongo integrates well with the regular calling on the phone (including dialer and contacts if wanted), and has selectable ringtones. Entering the password every time is not needed, but it might be needed after an app update or phone power off, etc. There might be some quirks in the Android app such as remembering the password being enabled only once you use 'exit' -- there's no explicit setting to control that in the version I just looked at.

 

[Torn Mind]

Go to dslreports.com for more advice.

GV will work as long as Google keeps it free. Once they stop that, then it's time to start looking at other VOIP solutions, although it might still be viable depending on its pricing.

Ooma is a specialized device service.

Callcentric is one of your more traditional VOIP solution, although it is more for the BYOD crowd, as you purchase and setup outgoing and incoming service separately.