Cheap international phonecalls after the end of Skype

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northSaver
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Cheap international phonecalls after the end of Skype

Post by northSaver »

I currently use a Skype subscription to phone my Mum's landline in the UK. It costs £2.40 per month for unlimited minutes. My Mum is technophobic and doesn't use a smartphone, so her landline is the only option. I also use it occasionally to phone UK businesses and HMRC.

Microsoft have just announced that they are retiring Skype this May, and as far as I can see their replacement service - Microsoft Teams Free - doesn't offer such a service. Is this correct, I wonder? If so, can anyone recommend an alternative service?

Thanks.
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RetireJapan
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Re: Cheap international phonecalls after the end of Skype

Post by RetireJapan »

Just saw this on Twitter. Someone recommended Viber.
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northSaver
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Re: Cheap international phonecalls after the end of Skype

Post by northSaver »

Thanks Ben, I'll give it a try. They do 100 minutes per month to the UK for $1.99, and unlimited minutes worldwide for $5.99. Since I probably do 100 minutes per week the worldwide one is the best option. It covers mobile too, which could be useful.
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Re: Cheap international phonecalls after the end of Skype

Post by Telebroker »

RetireJapan wrote: Sat Mar 01, 2025 12:39 pm Just saw this on Twitter. Someone recommended Viber.
purple Viber is actually a Rakuten company. Have never used it though.
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northSaver
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Re: Cheap international phonecalls after the end of Skype

Post by northSaver »

I've just made my first call with Viber, to a UK landline, and it was great. Very clear, no echo and less delay than Skype. What's more, I couldn't use Skype with my phone due to an annoying microphone problem that only happened with Skype, so had to borrow my wife's phone each time. But Viber - no problem at all. All together a big improvement on Skype :) Thanks Ben for recommending it.
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