[Candidate]

I am struggling to find a "cheap" way to call South Africa, apart from skype, does anyone else have some suggestions.

Some of the oldies in my world dont have a computer, let alone skype.

Thanks
Kathie

[Spokie]

Hi Kathie.
I just answered you on the other thread where you mentioned having trouble contacting people
Check out Uniontelecard for phone cards. You dial a 1 800 number here; enter a pin; then the SA number (011 27 followed by the SA number - leave out the zero). I haven't had problems using them. We usually buy the Crazy USA card. Minutes to land lines are much better than to cell phones.

[Candidate]

Thank you, I am going to look right now! xx

[Eileen]

I have been using Uniontelecard ever since I first arrived here in 2002. Never had a problem with them.

[C185]

Try Vonage, free calls to landline no's in SA and a bunch of other countries.

[Spokie]

Vonage is a great option if you live somewhere with fabulous internet service.
In our area, the internet...not so good

[Dolphie]

You can get a google number. You then dial the google number from your phone and dial the overseas number when prompted. It costs $0.05/minute for a call to SA. $10 for 200 minutes. We used this quite happily until we got Vonage.

Before Google we paid $15 per month extra on our Comcast phone account for 300 international minutes. But they add all kinds of taxes on so it works up more than that. They charge you normal rates if you exceed your 300 minutes.

So far Vonage has been ok although I have had a bit of trouble connecting sometimes. Then I just try again a couple of minutes later and it works (almost like it needs to warm up first).

The Google connection was usually very clear. Another advantage of Google is you can use it from any phone.

[Shaun]

Use a calling card type service.
We have used VIP for over 10 years and have great service and very good rates.

https://www.joinvip.com/

Example of cost per minute below but look for "Plans" on their website as you can select one that applies to a specific geographic region and will get you a better rate.

South Africa $0.059
South Africa Mobile $0.169
South Africa Special Services $0.099

This post has been edited by Shaun: 01 February 2012 - 06:00 AM

[C185]

C185, on 31 January 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

Try Vonage, free calls to landline no's in SA and a bunch of other countries.

You do need reliable internet but most people should not have this problem. Another thing I love about Vonage is that you can take in anywhere with you in the world where you will have access to broadband internet. We have used it in South Africa and during our 1 year stay in India last year and never had any problems except that you can't download large files from the internet while busy on a call. So no downloading Youtube video's while making/receiving calls, but this is only when you have limited broadband Internet, normal cable internet in the USA does not have this problem. You can also buy an additional line with modem and plug it in at your relatives house in SA and this way they can use it as they please, even to landline calls within SA. We are concidering doing this for my parents.


Another great feature is that you can download a Vonage app to your Iphone or Android phone and use this as an extension to your home Vonage phone. We use it to call our family and friends anywhere, it is no additional cost to your cell phone and only register on your Vonage account. This at no extra cost and you don't need wifi access, normal cell coverage works well.

[Hett]

We have also used VIP with great success for the last 5 years or so. First from SA to phone the US and the last 2.5 years to phone SA & the UK from here.

This post has been edited by Hett: 01 February 2012 - 02:12 PM

[gman]

tmobile (and others) offer free international calls to landlines for and extra $10 per month. you pay one account, so less hassle.

[Superkruz]

gman, on 06 February 2012 - 08:18 PM, said:

tmobile (and others) offer free international calls to landlines for and extra $10 per month. you pay one account, so less hassle.

I second this suggestion. For $10 a month I can call most countries (landlines only) as much as I want. I think I've already saved $1000 in the week that I have been in the US!

[Superkruz]

Another option is to use Viber. It is a free app that you install on your Mobile phone. If both parties have it, you can make "free" (as it uses the internet) mobile-to-mobile calls. This is similar to skype for mobile. If you have one of those unlimited mobile data plans this method of communication saves a lot of $$$.

[oscar]

I just installed Vonage yesterday ( Should have listened to C185's advice a long time ago) Installation was easy. and the monthly charges for a landline
is a lot cheaper than Verizon's current bill with internet phone $40.00 +$34.99 internet + other charges and taxes = $106.64 per month.

With Vonage the cost is $9.99 for the first three months (they have a special offer at the moment ) and then the cost is $25.99 per month + taxes and fees.
There is a long list of 80 countries you can call for free including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand- calls to cell phones are also free.

Vonage also offer Internet- Clear unlimited - 4G internet, no long term contract and unlimited use for $49.99- no cap
or $34.99 with a download limit of 1.5 Mbps

The main reason we did it was the unlimited calling to SA and also the ability to call from your mobile iPhone without any problem and even adding a second mobile phone for an additional $5.00

This post has been edited by oscar: 12 February 2012 - 08:00 AM

[C185]

oscar, on 12 February 2012 - 06:16 AM, said:

I just installed Vonage yesterday ( Should have listened to C185's advice a long time ago) Installation was easy. and the monthly charges for a landline
is a lot cheaper than Verizon's current bill with internet phone $40.00 +$34.99 internet + other charges and taxes = $106.64 per month.

With Vonage the cost is $9.99 for the first three months (they have a special offer at the moment ) and then the cost is $25.99 per month + taxes and fees.
There is a long list of 80 countries you can call for free including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand- calls to cell phones are also free.

Vonage also offer Internet- Clear unlimited - 4G internet, no long term contract and unlimited use for $49.99- no cap
or $34.99 with a download limit of 1.5 Mbps

The main reason we did it was the unlimited calling to SA and also the ability to call from your mobile iPhone without any problem and even adding a second mobile phone for an additional $5.00

Thanx! We have been with them since 2007 and not once have we had any problems with them, this includes our 1 year stint in India and the times we have used it in South Africa also.

Glad you are happy with them so far.