Skype on mobile phone - data cheaper than calls?

Defiler

Defiler

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Right, my contract has just expired and needs renewing so that = new phone. I'm thinking of getting the samsung omnia as I do not have to pay in too much and have used one a few times before. I see that it is also possible to use skype over wifi and 3g, and am wondering if skype over 3g will work out cheaper than making regular calls. Any info will be much appreciated!
 
Sweet, just making sure. My last phone got stolen so I'm going to be insuring this one which is about R80 a month and spend +- R300 on calls per month. So I was wondering if I would spend less than I normally do using voip mainly.
 
I tested it a while ago, it costs in the region of 50c-R1 per minute, depending on the exact amount of bandwidth used. It's still way cheaper than R1.50-2/min (Voda-Voda) contract calls. If you get a data bundle (100MB+) it's even cheaper.
 
How do you guys make call from the mobile applications? Every time I have tried it skype says "This service is not available in your region" or something like that.
 
besides skype you can use yeigo, gizmo, fring and some others. I know for sure that with fring you can make calls to users on msn, googletalk, and skype. Works pretty good, you need to be in a 3g/wifi area preferably.

Check out the other ones too.
 
oh there is some policy as part of your contract that says, you not allowed to use the data capability to make voip calls, and they can charge extra if you do. This also has been discussed on this forum, and i think they cant prove that you have. But just keep that in mind.
 
catweasel said:
besides skype you can use yeigo, gizmo, fring and some others. I know for sure that with fring you can make calls to users on msn, googletalk, and skype. Works pretty good, you need to be in a 3g/wifi area preferably.

Check out the other ones too.
Click to expand...

Thats good to know, I will definitely be checking fring out when I get my phone. I am in wifi zones quite often so that should bring costs down nicely.
 
froot said:
I tested it a while ago, it costs in the region of 50c-R1 per minute, depending on the exact amount of bandwidth used. It's still way cheaper than R1.50-2/min (Voda-Voda) contract calls. If you get a data bundle (100MB+) it's even cheaper.
Click to expand...

Could you show the math for this?

I have looked into it before and with Skype you need to pay for your calls to non Skype users (Skype Out) as well as for the data you use. I'm assuming the OP will not always be able to chat Skype to Skype from his phone.

Now just the Skype cost to cellphones in SA alone is R2.51 per minute inclusive! Already more expensive before even considering data costs! Landline costs are 73c per minute, again before data costs....

I do not think the answer is as easy as saying "of course it is cheaper". It will depend on the type of usage. I personally cannot see how it can replace normal cell calls just at the moment....
 
the question here should be: who will you be calling? Skype user? definitely cheaper cause only your internet will be used.(internet)
non skype user? not worth it. rather call with your cellphone.

I used fring a while ago with a friend of mine and it was awesome. charges to the very data minimum.

so there.
 
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