Best Value Way to Call Russia?

[Ilya R. 0]

If you have a high speed internet connection on both ends, why not just use skype? it's free and clear and has video... I wouldn't pay 19.99 for what I can get for free.

skype isnt that realiable, and its not that easy to find broadband connections in russia unless its moscow.

[eekee 182]

Skype is usually very reliable skype-to-skype and the magicjack thing requires broadband as well.

If you have a high speed internet connection on both ends, why not just use skype? it's free and clear and has video... I wouldn't pay 19.99 for what I can get for free.

skype isnt that realiable, and its not that easy to find broadband connections in russia unless its moscow.

[Ilya R. 0]

Skype is usually very reliable skype-to-skype and the magicjack thing requires broadband as well.

If you have a high speed internet connection on both ends, why not just use skype? it's free and clear and has video... I wouldn't pay 19.99 for what I can get for free.

skype isnt that realiable, and its not that easy to find broadband connections in russia unless its moscow.

thats what I am saying if there is no broadband in russia its useless. And skype is far from being reliable. There are other options to have digital unlimited calls from US for like 20 bux. The only drawback the person in US will initate all the calls. The good thing is its cheap.

[eekee 182]

Do you use skype? I talk on it for several hours a day with no problem. The sound quality isn't so great when calling a cell phone, but skype-to-skype is clearer than domestic landline-to-landline.

thats what I am saying if there is no broadband in russia its useless. And skype is far from being reliable. There are other options to have digital unlimited calls from US for like 20 bux. The only drawback the person in US will initate all the calls. The good thing is its cheap.

[Ilya R. 0]

I use skype daily that is why i am aware of problems

[eekee 182]

strange... are you going skype-to-skype?

I use skype daily that is why i am aware of problems

[Ilya R. 0]

skype to skype

skype to cell

skype to landline

[eekee 182]

strange... maybe i'm just lucky

skype to skype

skype to cell

skype to landline

[Ilya R. 0]

strange... maybe i'm just lucky

skype to skype

skype to cell

skype to landline

probably

[Scott and Iryna 2]

strange... maybe i'm just lucky

skype to skype

skype to cell

skype to landline

probably

Are you wearing a headset on both ends? I noticed that when Iryna does not uses the built-in speakers and microphone, the quality is not bad, but so-so. I shipped her a nice headset, and now the quality is tremendous. We love Skype, we can talk, see each other on the web cam, and also just chat with instant messages. We send pictures to each other by just dragging and dropping, very simple. I also use it to send SMS messages to her phone in Russian. I can see why eBay payed 2 billion bucks for Skype! Of course I'm a little worried about the future, as eBay will certainly find a way to charge more to make more...

I wish it had built-in language translation for text messages, that would be handy and save me time... but what do you want FOR FREE?

[cwaf 1]

you misunderstood about MagicJack. Only the person with MagicJack needs broadband, and Skype 'out' is not free. MagicJack allows you call any telephone number--mobile or landline--at no additional cost perminute. I also have Skype and have used it with headsets to speak to my daughter who is currently in school in Costa Rica. While the calls starts out fine, after about 30 minutes, every call has become choppy and then drops out. That is also the same when calling on good connections at both ends. I have nothing against Skype, but Skype (free) would not allow my fiance to call me at my office, or call to my cell phone. I understand that not everyone has broadband, and we are very fortunate that she has it here, so MagicJack is not for everyone. I mentioned it as an alternative if the situation is right for you. I am very glad we have it and have already spent 3 or 4 hours talking to each other with it. She has called me on my cell while I drove to my parents for a visit, and then called my cell while at my parents (they do not have broadband) and spoke to my mother for the first time. That was a thrill for both of them! I am happy with it and will gladly pay 20 a year for the ability for Sveta--and her sister later on--to pick up a telephone (and not a headset) and call any of my telephone numbers.

Edited May 7, 2008 by cwaf

[cwaf 1]

you misunderstood about MagicJack. Only the person with MagicJack needs broadband, and Skype 'out' is not free. MagicJack allows you call any telephone number--mobile or landline--at no additional cost perminute. I also have Skype and have used it with headsets to speak to my daughter who is currently in school in Costa Rica. While the calls starts out fine, after about 30 minutes, every call has become choppy and then drops out. That is also the same when calling on good connections at both ends. I have nothing against Skype, but Skype (free) would not allow my fiance to call me at my office, or call to my cell phone. I understand that not everyone has broadband, and we are very fortunate that she has it here, so MagicJack is not for everyone. I mentioned it as an alternative if the situation is right for you. I am very glad we have it and have already spent 3 or 4 hours talking to each other with it. She has called me on my cell while I drove to my parents for a visit, and then called my cell while at my parents (they do not have broadband) and spoke to my mother for the first time. That was a thrill for both of them! I am happy with it and will gladly pay 20 a year for the ability for Sveta--and her sister later on--to pick up a telephone (and not a headset) and call any of my telephone numbers.

Sorry...I meant to say that MagicJack allows you to call 'any telephone in the USA or Canada'--which is why it is so great for Sveta to have it. She could call any of my family at any time, just like I could with my cell phone.

[Satellite 1]

MagicJack sounds great but in our case I'd much rather prefer to get a local Russian number and install it here in the US, because my wife's relatives all lack broadband, because no cable or copper wires were ever installed in their homes. They use some kind of "radio" telephone devise for phone services. Internet can only be obtained through a cell phone using GPRS or setting up a satellite devise at about $8,000 for both ends, $1,000 for downloading only.

[cwaf 1]

MagicJack sounds great but in our case I'd much rather prefer to get a local Russian number and install it here in the US, because my wife's relatives all lack broadband, because no cable or copper wires were ever installed in their homes. They use some kind of "radio" telephone devise for phone services. Internet can only be obtained through a cell phone using GPRS or setting up a satellite devise at about $8,000 for both ends, $1,000 for downloading only.

WOW! I do not know anyone, personally, that could afford that cost! Yes, in your situation, MagicJack is definitely not a good option. Maybe someone else here can use it, maybe not. My fiance never had internet in her home until we met online, and then she had it installed so we could communicate easily every day. I wish I had known about MagicJack back then! :-) I just hope everyone discovers a way to communicate easily with their loved ones. Communication is the only way to build, and maintain a relationship.

well, I am off to the train station in a little while for the overnight train to Kiev. I wish everyone happiness and success!

[John and Anna 0]

I have high speed internet at home and changed my phone to use it.

Using verizons voicewing product = .5 cents a minute to russia - better rates than ATT and other VOIP

plus $25 a month gets my unlimited local and long distance - plus I can listen to my voicemail online plus a slew of other features

Any questions ask me.

www.voicewing.com