Is a Skype replacement needed for calling phone numbers? (1 Viewer)

[njlarsen]

At the moment, I cannot seem to recharge my skype account with just a dollar amount. The only options made available are monthly subscriptions to call a given country unlimited number of minutes, which is absolutely not what I want. Is there an alternative around for calling infrequently to any give country (sometimes US, sometimes Europe, but none more than 1-5 times a year)?

Microsoft seems to be adding costs by the bucket at the moment.
Niels

 

[delia todd]

You can make calls using What's App Niels.

Don't know if you use it though?

 

[njlarsen]

You can make calls using What's App Niels.

Don't know if you use it though?

I do, but I don't think this can be used to call phone numbers. Skype from account to account seems to work still. What I occasionally need is the ability to call a phone number in a different country from my own, and possibly have to sit through minutes of "we will pick up this call when we get around to it".
Niels

 

[delia todd]

Yes, it can Niels. I've only used it a couple of times, because I only found out about it this year.

Like the messenger it is free calls. I've not tried phoning to another country though.

If you look at the top of the WA screen when in a conversation, you'll see a telephone icon thing.

If you look at your phone Contacts and select one.... I have a section "Connected Apps". Open that up and it gives you an option to phone, message or video call.

EDIT: a contact I have in Norway has an option to phone via WhatsApp, so I presume overseas calls are fine too.

 

[njlarsen]

Doesn't that mean it ends up being a phone to phone call by leaving the whatsapp app? That is what I want to avoid given that I am talking about calling countries without the European protection against roaming charges.
Niels

 

[delia todd]

I'm sure it works through the computer as well Niels. But I'm still very much a newbie to it. There must be someone on here who has used it more than me.

Why would "roaming" come into it if the calls are free?

But it's past my bed time now. Hopefully someone will answer our questions before I get up LOL

 

[THE_FERN]

It's within WhatsApp. However, the contact has to have a WhatsApp account: I don't think you can use it to phone a regular phone number if that's not tied to WhatsApp

(Many but not all WhatsApp users set their accounts up using their own phone numbers. And your number might change later)

 

[MiddleRiver]

WhatsApp simply makes the call through WiFi (instead of cellular service). So both ends need to be within WiFi reach. When travelling, I've found (at least in Latin America) that almost everyone uses WhatsApp routinely. It helps that every hotel or restaurant has WiFi...

 

[THE_FERN]

WhatsApp simply makes the call through WiFi (instead of cellular service). So both ends need to be within WiFi reach. When travelling, I've found (at least in Latin America) that almost everyone uses WhatsApp routinely. It helps that every hotel or restaurant has WiFi...

Unlike in Britain...

 

[njlarsen]

Which all bring me back to my original question: which alternatives exist to Skype when I want to use an app to call a landline phone in another country without paying an arm and a leg?
Niels