Google Voice / Skype / VoIP for Travel?

[davidI]

I've been trying to figure out a way to set-up a good phone system for traveling and am very confused by the various options and how they work together.

I have 8 different SIM card numbers from all over the world and I'd really like to just have 1 number that connects them all. From there, I'd like to be able to also make and receive calls via WiFi hot spots if possible.

Can anyone help explain the various options to me? Despite all of my research I'm feeling lost and confused!

[davidI]

I've been reading about combining Google Voice and Skype as well as Google Voice and GrooveIP. I'm still lost as to how and why these various programs work together.

Here are a few links I've been checking out:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/1468178-alternatives-skype-android-2.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/1416026-setting-up-voice-data-using-google-talk-skype-other-similar-service.html

http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2013/03/the-easiest-way-to-use-google-voices-free-phone-service.html

http://blog.shermanstravel.com/2012/10/03/best-ways-to-stay-in-touch-while-traveling-abroad/


As far as non VoIP calls, I've also discovered http://www.telestial.com/

So lost and confused with all of these apps and programs! :nut:

[davidI]

Another...

http://lifehacker.com/how-to-build-your-own-more-powerful-version-of-google-575896480

[Stealth22]

I just use Google Voice, to be honest. I have a Roam Mobility SIM card for the USA, but on a recent trip to Yellowstone, I found out that Roam doesn't have service in Montana, so I was just using Google Voice in a WiFi zone.

And yes, Google Voice isn't officially available in Canada (and as far as I know, they only forward to US numbers), but it's pretty easy to get a GV number.

It serves the purpose for making outgoing calls, and if you're in a WiFi zone, it's free for any calls within North America. For international calls, I've got Skype credit that I've been using for years now...been surviving on about $20 for the longest time haha. Up until now, I was using Skype for calls within North America while traveling, but Google Voice is completely free within the US and Canada.

It depends on what you're trying to do. If you're looking to forward all of your SIM cards from 8 different countries to one number, I'm not sure that there's an easy way to do that.

[toor]

I use Callcentric for local numbers and fowarding to my international SIMs. If I'm going away for a while or work buys me a phone, I'll port my 403 cellphone there too. You can use a VoIP app ("SIP client") to make calls over WiFi using your VoIP rate plan. Years ago I looked at using Google Voice and while it was possible and nearly/free, there were limitations because it's not a true VoIP service. Not sure how, but I got a Montana 406 number from Google Voice that's forwarded to my 403 number? Also, Google is evil: if something is free, YOU are the product. I'd rather pay the $15/mo for my numbers and rate plan...

You can do weird shit with cellphone forwarding to local/free/access numbers too, if you really want to get fancy.

Edit: There's probably better VoIP providers nowadays for your situation, depending on where you want numbers and forwarding and rate plans. Callcentric was one of the first to offer Canadian number portability and I've just stuck with them over the years...

[davidI]

Just came across this today - I'll have to explore further: http://lifehacker.com/5349506/make-free-voip-calls-from-google-voice

[Xtrema]

1) Make sure all 8 network providers won't charge extra for international forward.

2) Set up Fongo and pick a number in Canada.

3) Forward all 8 numbers to Fongo's number.

4) Run Fongo on your smartphone. Fongo can run over any data networks, cell or wifi provided that ISP doesn't block necessary ports for Fongo to function. So far I find that Tim Horton's wifi hotspots are not Fongo friendly.

Same scheme can be set up with Google Voice, I had a San Fran # once as 1st trial user for Google Voice. You can redirect voice to Google Hangout app which is available on Android and IOS.

https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/3144495?hl=en

[JDMMAN]

I've been using Vonage to make outbound calls when I'm travelling overseas. It shows up as your local cell # when calling in N.America. I've found it only works in Wifi hotspots though. Not sure if it'll work on the wireless data.

[soupey]

dell voice/fongo works in canada, i use localphone for wifi/data calling while abroad tho, north america = 0.9c/min usd.

nettalk works but i used to get lots of dropped calls with it.

alternatively if you can get your friends/fam to install skype or google hangout and make calls that way, that works too.