[back2HK]

Number of questions as I try to sort out my telecom related infrastructure -

1) What is a good IDD service to call Singapore, India, OZ/NZ, UK etc? In Singapore I and many others used 1511 as IDD of choice with calls to most countries (not India) fixed around 5 cents/min (0.25HKD) all day. I know 1511 exists here as well, but I found the rates to be confusing. Any suggestions?

2) VOIP - If I need a HK local number for my family abroad, what are the options other than HKBN ? Do you need HKBN internet account to get HKBN VOIP? Anybody has any experience with 1511 VOIP or NWT ? I would prefer to have IDD and VOIP with the same guys if possible to avoid managing several accounts.

3) VOIP on Mobile - Assuming I get a workable VOIP, can I use VOIP to call internationally from my mobile. I am thinking PDA phone like Nokia E-61 from a hotspot.

I have been here 3 weeks - family still abroad and my IDD usage has been astronomical. I would really appreciate some feedback from any user of these services..

Cheers

[kiwi_bc]

IDD - in terms of calling landlines (from a PC), Skype seems to be competitively priced - although I see comments that the service has been deteriorating. I no longer use it much as I'm now in HK and use Skype to Skype or 1507.
I use 1507 to call from mobile to IDD but the price may not be as good as others. It's because I've had it set up for a while when prices were competitive.
SkypeIn is a good VoIP service but the user has to have their computer on to receive calls. I used to use it in conjunction with 1507 when I was in NZ. e.g. I received call from 1507 and then switched on my computer. Then got another call into my SkypeIn.
That saved me about HKD250/month in tolls.
VoIP on Mobile - I heard of people using Skype from a PDA and even using a Data Plan if there's no WiFi

There's a VoIP service advertised on GeoExpat - see the ads - that you should check out as well:
2B Broadband Phoneclick here[/url]

[Oman Mercenary]

Originally Posted by back2HK

Number of questions as I try to sort out my telecom related infrastructure -

1) What is a good IDD service to call Singapore, India, OZ/NZ, UK etc? In Singapore I and many others used 1511 as IDD of choice with calls to most countries (not India) fixed around 5 cents/min (0.25HKD) all day. I know 1511 exists here as well, but I found the rates to be confusing. Any suggestions?

2) VOIP - If I need a HK local number for my family abroad, what are the options other than HKBN ? Do you need HKBN internet account to get HKBN VOIP? Anybody has any experience with 1511 VOIP or NWT ? I would prefer to have IDD and VOIP with the same guys if possible to avoid managing several accounts.

3) VOIP on Mobile - Assuming I get a workable VOIP, can I use VOIP to call internationally from my mobile. I am thinking PDA phone like Nokia E-61 from a hotspot.

I have been here 3 weeks - family still abroad and my IDD usage has been astronomical. I would really appreciate some feedback from any user of these services..

Cheers

Hmmm - I was inveigled into "joining" 1511 from a banner advertisement on the "Darkside" axpat site.

Not only was I told that AX subscribers would get *200* free minutes valid till the end of the year - it wasn't true - that offer, 1511 now tells me "died" at the end of September; but also I found that whilst they supposedly routed these [VoIP] calls through the cheapest operator for that particular call - what I did find was that calls to CANADA were considerably *MORE* expensive than using a far better quality of audio service via 1666 (CTI). The only thing that 1511 achieved were lower cost calls to France; CTI 1666 was more expensive.

I know that there are other ways of making cheap, or even free phone calls direct from a computer.

Skype to phone is relatively cheap, as is a deposit of Ten Urines - Oooops - Euros into VoIPStunt / VoIPBuster / VoIPCheap.com's service which gives "free" calls for - I think - 120 days, or until you've used up your 10 Urines on the call connections you have to pay for.

I used 'Stunt for many months to keep in touch with my daughter studying in France, running down the balance very slowly at 14 Eu cents a minute for calls to her mobile before she got the telco to install a "real" line to her flat.

Calls using VoIPStunt were of higher quality - it used greater bandwidth - than Skype, but Skype won out sometimes because we could also video both ways.

Personally, I have no problem using computer to computer or computer to distant phone, but it always meant that the computer *HAS* to be set up with "Microphone BOOST" in the control panel to get enough audio sent out.

Skype has a great "free" way of checking that you'll be audible at the far end.

As for 1511, I'll only use it for my infrequent calls to "Frogsville" when the called party ain't around on Skype.

As for the other points raised - I can not respond as I have no knowledge.

[kiwi_bc]

oh, I forgot.
I have NWT SIP phone a a landline. Check the othe thread out.
Basically, it is "ok" as a cheap alternative to a traditional landline but I had to commit to 18 mths. I just got a bill for the Softphone - which I am going to dispute as I didn't see anywhere (in English anyway) that there was a charge for it

[back2HK]

Originally Posted by kiwi_bc

I use 1507 to call from mobile to IDD but the price may not be as good as others. It's because I've had it set up for a while when prices were competitive.
SkypeIn is a good VoIP service but the user has to have their computer on to receive calls.

VoIP on Mobile - I heard of people using Skype from a PDA and even using a Data Plan if there's no WiFi

Cheers Kiwi.. My family is in NZ and I do use skype a lot on holidays, but can't do it from work. Currently, I mssg them and they call back on Telecom NZ 0161, which is only 4 NZ cents off peak ie after 1 pm HK time. It is still a lot more expensive than getting a HK virtual number for them and make free calls both ways.

I do want to call from my mobile, so it has to be preferabley a cheap IDD service or VOIP. Thanks for letting me know about the existence of 1507. I will check them out - need to call Sg and India as well. Sad to know that 1511 SUX, because I had good experience with them in Sg.

[kiwi_bc]

Originally Posted by back2HK

Cheers Kiwi.. My family is in NZ and I do use skype a lot on holidays, but can't do it from work. Currently, I mssg them and they call back on Telecom NZ 0161, which is only 4 NZ cents off peak ie after 1 pm HK time. It is still a lot more expensive than getting a HK virtual number for them and make free calls both ways.

I do want to call from my mobile, so it has to be preferabley a cheap IDD service or VOIP. Thanks for letting me know about the existence of 1507. I will check them out - need to call Sg and India as well. Sad to know that 1511 SUX, because I had good experience with them in Sg.

If they have have a PC then SkypeIn or other VoIP service would be be pretty cost effective. They set themselves up with HK number and you can call from your mobile as if they were in HK. i.e. no additional per minute costs!

[back2HK]

Thanks Kiwi. I beleive Skypein is one way - ie they can receive, but not call out. I am still trying to achieve a 2 way solution - any body using HKBN 2B phone or anything similar and happy with the service?

[kiwi_bc]

they and you can call out on Skype out but then the rate is about the same as the off-peak 0161 rate.
or do you have multiple persons to call? and you want to do from your mobile? if so, something like 1507 or using phonecards (check the other posts as I have no experience of using HK phonecards).
Another option, if you want to pay is to get a prepaid card that you can give the PIN to family members. Yabba is NZD 9c/min.
Yabba. You can buy it online - PM me if you need details.

[JaredHK]

I use Broadvoice...
$19.95 a months with unlimited calls to 35 countries incl NZ and Aus.
India sadly is not included otherwise it would have been a sweet deal.

Good Luck !

[back2HK]

Jared.. Thanks for the info. I checked their website and NZ is on the WorldPlus list. Its 24.95 in real money(USD), which is fair bit in HK. I am going to try (maybe get a local colleague to speak to them) to get HGC's 0088 sorted out. Its 48 HKD a month for unlimted calling............ the best I have found so far.

CTI's 1666 is good for a "per minute rate" as well, but again I need a local colleague to help.

BTW, 1511 called back offering 200HKD a month for VOIP, with a stand alone (not connected to PC) phone which can be sent overseas and will have a HK number. FYI for those who maybe interested. I will pass...