Forums > Specific Focus > Technical Mexico

talosian

Nov 19, 2005, 5:29 PM

Post #1 of 10 (7199 views)

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An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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First, I have no financial interest in this product and I am suggesting/recommending it only for what I think is a favor to my Lakeside neighbors who would like to call the U.S. and/or Canada very cheap.

After 14 months, I finally got DSL which allowed me to try Skype VOIP phone service (www.skype.com) . The cost is US$0.02 per minute (probably rounded up) for calls from your computer to a land line. You need a DSL or other high-speed connection, a sound card and a headset with a microphone. If you like the feel of a handset, you can get one for cheap from someplace like Fry's Electronic in the U.S.

I tried it and I am VERY pleased with the quality of the voice connection. What more can I say other than there is one other feature.

While calls to landlines are the cost noted above, you can call another computer with Skype on it at no cost, and this is anyplace in the World.

I consider this one of the best deals around and recomend it as being MUCH better in price and quality than the call-back services at between US$0.17 and $0.20 per minute. And you don't have to put up your credit card as security.

Again: I get nothing from this company or othewise, just passing along something you might find helpbul from Mexico.

Take care.
"When all logical explanations have failed, we must look to the illogical for the answer.

Anonimo

Nov 20, 2005, 2:53 AM

Post #2 of 10 (7168 views)

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Re: [talosian] An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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I agree, although I don't know what a Samsung Calling Card was.
Yesterday, I spoke with my parents in New Jersey, from here just outside of Pátzcuaro. We spoke for 43 minutes, for very small charges, although I can't locate exactly what those charges were.
I just renewed my Skype In account, allowing land line and cell phones to call us at our laptop, wherever we are (The Area Code is a New Jersey one). The cost for that service was 30 €s for 12 months, 10 €s for 3. We primarily consider that an emergency number. Of course, we have to use email to schedule calls in advance.
I see by my Skype contact list that a buddy from the Lonely Planet Thorntree, living in Bulgaria, is on line with Skype right now. I may give him a ring. (free)

Saludos,
Anonimo

Marta R

Nov 20, 2005, 12:58 PM

Post #3 of 10 (7137 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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"30 €s for 12 months"

Euros, Anonimo? If so, how do you make payment? Regular US credit card? Thanks for any info.

Marta

johanson / Moderator

Nov 20, 2005, 5:00 PM

Post #4 of 10 (7122 views)

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Re: [Marta Randall] An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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Isn't Skype out of Great Britain? I seem to remember they charge in pounds. Yet as you can see from the quote below from the SKYPE web site, "€" stands for Euro.

"€ 0.017 Euro Cent is currently approximately the same as $0.023 or £0.012."

For your info the Euro has dropped in value and .0017 Euros are closer to 2 US cents than 2.3 cents

Marta R

Nov 20, 2005, 5:54 PM

Post #5 of 10 (7114 views)

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Re: [johanson] An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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I know what the Euro is (although I didn't know the current exchange rate -- thanks). What I'm curious about is how one pays in Euros when one has either dollar or peso accounts.

Marta

jennifer rose

Nov 20, 2005, 6:26 PM

Post #6 of 10 (7109 views)

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Re: [Marta Randall] An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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With a credit card. If you use a credit card issued in the US to buy something in Burkina Faso, the credit card company will convert the charges to USD, sometimes adding a 2% foreign currency conversion fee for their efforts. Paying for something in Euros is just the same.

Marta R

Nov 20, 2005, 9:17 PM

Post #7 of 10 (7099 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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Thanks!

Marta

RickS

Nov 22, 2005, 1:35 PM

Post #8 of 10 (7058 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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"sometimes adding a 2% foreign currency conversion fee"

Sometimes, hell. And now the fee is 3% at most! And I just found out that my Wells Fargo debit card, when used at an ATM in Mexico, will incur a $5 fee AND the currency conversion rate will be 'adjusted' to include the 3% charge also.

Bloviator

Nov 23, 2005, 5:33 AM

Post #9 of 10 (7035 views)

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Re: [talosian] An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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We use Vonage. For a monthly $27 US + $5 for an 800 #, we get unlimited calls. My wife calls home daily (usually more than one time), so we needed something cheap. We usually get excellent sound, though when I was in CA this week, I found that the quality isn't as good at that end.

talosian

Nov 23, 2005, 5:39 AM

Post #10 of 10 (7033 views)

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Re: [Marta Randall] An Alternative to the (defunct?) Samsung calling card.

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I used PayPal but they also take American credit cards. Conversion does make it about US$0.0245 with VAT (since it is a British concern).

I'm very pleased with it. Good quality.
"When all logical explanations have failed, we must look to the illogical for the answer.