[HKNewBi]

Hello forumfolks

I have now been back in HK a fortnight and I have to say I have been exceptionally impressed with the service I have received from PCCW getting my broadband and phone line set up!

Only hiccup - I wasn't able to make international calls so I called them up and was told I had to fax my ID card to them and wait 24 hours. Kicked up a bit of a fuss and I was calling international within 2 hours.

This led me to think - if they want to put such hurdles on having my international calling business, are there other companies that I can sign up for? If so, what would be the best company to use to call abroad (mainly UK and USA) and how do I go about signing up?

Thanks

[Badzoo]

For the internationnal calls, we (gf+me) prefere using skype because it's free if the person you are calling use a computer too and cost very few $ if you are calling a land phone. Then, I read a lot of very good feedback about WinGizmo which integrate a better protocol and I have read that you can even activate a land phone and call it for free.. or 5$/month I don't remember well (I did not really go further as this service is only for us/uk which can interest you)

These are internet services, for land services, my gf advise you to use 0060 from pccw, the rates are lower than pccw's usual rates for internationnal, but higher than other third party internationnal phone service. We are using 1579 sometimes, and it's not good at all.

Since we are using internet, we don't make any internationnal call through land phone and saved a lot of money.

[Badzoo]

Checked some websites:

For Gizmo:
calling gizmo to gizmo: free
calling gizmo to land phone in US/UK: 1.8/2.9 cts/min for the rates:
http://www.gizmoproject.com/call-out.html
calling land phone to gizmo: you pay 5$ a month and get a local phone number in a city(US) or country(UK) then, your friends call you with this number and pay the local fare. For 5$/month, you can have unlimited numbers however you can only add one new number/30 days.

For Skype:
skype to skype: free
skype to land phone: 0.017usd/min for us and uk check:
http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/rates/
land phone to skype: still beta, but 10€/3 month and 30€/12 month. I think it provide the same service as Gizmo.

For 0060, call pccw and give them your Credit card number, I think.

For the prices that I mentionned... double check, it's late... I should go and take a nap.

[gullie52]

why not use skype and skype to skype is free

[PDLM]

Because the internet out of HK is completely stuffed at the moment. The telecoms networks are working; Skype (if it works at all) is even worse quality than usual.

[nicolejoy]

I've just been using skype without the video and the quality seems just as good as before... I'm having some problems surfing still, but skype seems fine (knock on wood). I'm with Netvigator.

[PDLM]

Where are you calling on skype?

[HKfornow]

Since you are already with PCCW, have you asked them what promotions they are currently running if you sign a contract with them? I've typically asked for the free minutes, my contract is up, and they are quoting me 500 free minutes per month for a 18 month contract, and it covers the countries that you mentioned.

[HKNewBi]

Can anyone tell me a good company to sign up with for mobile phone calls overseas?

I have heard there are some companies you sign up with and they give you a code, enabling cheap calls to US / UK etc. My mobile phone bill is going through the roof and I think I should address this.

I use CSL (on contract) for my mobile.

And please, I know all about Skype and over VOIP solutions, so that is not the sort of answer I am looking for.

Thanks!

[KnowItAll]

http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/tags/idd/