abroadband

[andy]

Originally Posted by snidely

I should know the answer - but how much data per minute does a voice call use - like over Skype?

I accidentally made a roaming data call from my phone using Fring, Justvoip and 3g data a couple of years ago - the accident was I thought I was using wi-fi, and because I hadn't gone through all the settings Fring swapped to the O2 access point without me noticing.

Fortunately it was only a 2 minute call, so the damage wasn't too great

This used 350k of data, so a megabyte would cover about 6 minutes. I have no idea what codec was used.

On Nokia phones with SIP, Nokia's SIP VoIP Settings program can be installed to control a wider range of settings, and I assume that selection of codec would be an option, but I haven't looked into this yet

[snidely]

Originally Posted by andy

I accidentally made a roaming data call from my phone using Fring, Justvoip and 3g data a couple of years ago - the accident was I thought I was using wi-fi, and because I hadn't gone through all the settings Fring swapped to the O2 access point without me noticing.

Fortunately it was only a 2 minute call, so the damage wasn't too great

This used 350k of data, so a megabyte would cover about 6 minutes. I have no idea what codec was used.

On Nokia phones with SIP, Nokia's SIP VoIP Settings program can be installed to control a wider range of settings, and I assume that selection of codec would be an option, but I haven't looked into this yet

Andy - Definitely sounds that this would be the way to make low cost voice calls. Since they just started selling product 11 days ago, there don't seem to be any reviews out there yet. I am not sure I want to spend $40 incl. shipping to try it out when in Spain and Portugal the end of next month.
I need to do some research on how much data various voice options would likely use. Skype an option? Fring (which I've never used). I would use it in an older BlackBerry. Since I am slow, technically speaking, might just wait.

Just tried doing some research.
Here is a quote from their help section at Abroadband:

====
How much can I surf with one MB?

One MB allows you to send about 40 e-mails (avarage size 25 KB), make around 80 Google searches, surf on Facebook, Linkedln or Expedia 5 times.
On Skype, one MB is enough to send and receive about 15 messages a day and make two Skype calls of about 2 minutes each - every day in one month (Source: Skype).

============
Sounds unbelievable. I found that quote on the Skype site myself.

...mike

[dg7feq]

Originally Posted by snidely

On Skype, one MB is enough to send and receive about 15 messages a day and make two Skype calls of about 2 minutes each - every day in one month (Source: Skype).

============
Sounds unbelievable. I found that quote on the Skype site myself.

...mike

Yeah, but for 1 MB each day Then the calculation is right.

Chris

[snidely]

Originally Posted by dg7feq

Yeah, but for 1 MB each day Then the calculation is right.

Chris

Even at that, it could be worth while to set up a "system" to route calls via "something" like Skype. I am not sophisticated enuf to do that - but could follow instructions if someone posted how to set up a method to route voice calls over a 100% data connection - which the Abroadband SIM is. If I read the Skype site correctly, they only have an app for Verizon phones in the U.S. Google Talk (which seems to be a VOIP version of Google Voice) says they don't have an app for mobiles "at this time".
Anybody have any other EASY to use suggestions for setting up voice calling over data?
Even if a voice of data call burns 400-500 Kb/second - you are talking about spending 35-45 cents/min. As a comparison, to call back to the U.S. using Truphone costs 86 cents/min. Using a U.S. SIM from TMobile or ATT costs $1/min.

...mike

[dg7feq]

Originally Posted by snidely

If I read the Skype site correctly, they only have an app for Verizon phones in the U.S. Google Talk (which seems to be a VOIP version of Google Voice) says they don't have an app for mobiles "at this time".


...mike

I have the official skype client on my Andorid based phone and it works flawlessly (but drains the battery quite fast as well).
Alternatively you can install a SIP client and use any SIP-based VoIP service. Many VoIP providers also offer a client which is pre-configured for their service or detailed instructions on how to do so. Decend Nokia-phones even have a build in SIP client.

Chris

[snidely]

Originally Posted by dg7feq

I have the official skype client on my Andorid based phone and it works flawlessly (but drains the battery quite fast as well).
Alternatively you can install a SIP client and use any SIP-based VoIP service. Many VoIP providers also offer a client which is pre-configured for their service or detailed instructions on how to do so. Decend Nokia-phones even have a build in SIP client.

Chris

Chris - I need a little hand holding here. Would is there a Skype client for the BB? And what is a "client"? Is that the same thing as an "app"? Can you recommend a "client" that would work with a BB? Are these "clients" easy to use?
I have an old BB I would use w. this card. It only operates on EDGE - not 3G.

Thanks.

...mike

[GadgetKen]

To get Skype on your Blackberry, try this link. They will send the software to your Blackberry. Other VOIP providers likely have a similar service.

Skype mobile? for BlackBerry® smartphones

Did something like this for an AT&T Tilt I used to own that ran Windows Mobile.

[dg7feq]

Originally Posted by snidely

Chris - I need a little hand holding here. Would is there a Skype client for the BB? And what is a "client"? Is that the same thing as an "app"? Can you recommend a "client" that would work with a BB? Are these "clients" easy to use?
I have an old BB I would use w. this card. It only operates on EDGE - not 3G.

Thanks.

...mike

Yes, with client i mean "App" (I hate the word app so i use the old fashioned ways... hehe).
GadgetKen already provided you with the link.
On EDGE it works OK but not well, the latency of the packets is much higher on EDGE than on 3G.

Chris