I have been in USA for 4+ years now and for the last 2 years skype has been a major boon for me. Since my parents and me both have skype on our PC we can talk for a long time everyday. I have VOIP boxes installed on each day which helps to connect to skype via regular cordless phones. This means we speak to each other like a normal phone call. The voice quality is great and it helps be be in touch with daily matters on a day to day basis. Now all my relatives and friends r on skype and I am back in touch with everyone.
Through phonewala.com, calls to KUWAIT landlines is Rs.9 and to mobiles it is Rs.10 per minute + internet local charges at Rs.1.20 for 7.5 minutes from 07:30 am to 10:29 PM and Rs.1.20 for 15 minutes from 10:30 pm to 07:29 am(if using BSNL dialup). That too if net is too congested, you have to redial. So finally it also comes to Rs.12 to Rs.15 !!!.
Even from AIRTEL PREPAID (all zones) mobile in India, calls to GULF countries are at Rs.9.99 per minute + 12.24% service charge (on recharges) = Rs.11.212776 per minute which comes barely Rs.2 more to Rs.2 lesser than phonewala.com and other providers's rates. Calling from mobile also offers greater clarity.
NOTE : Please don't add processing charges for mobile calling as it is meage amount.
when there are thousands and thousands of asians in the middle east working, why doesnt someone start some cheap calling cards from the ME to India it would surely not only make a lot of buisness but also at the same time bridge the distance between loved ones i.e family & friends and this is something on which people here spend a lot of money on and i mean a lot. Neither does any service provider give the PC to phone service to India.
While the rates from India to other destinations look good and can save significant amounts, the rates from US to India mentioned are not attarctive.
There are a number of Calling card companies (Reliance being one of the better ones for India calls) that offer cheaper rates and they have the additional advantage that you can call from Phone-to-phone and not depend on a PC with internet availability.
Even in India, if you add the cost of internet, it may not be as attarctive unless the user needs internet for other purposes.
So, the technology is there, but not yet smooth enough and not always cost-effective.
International calling from phonewala is more cleare & there service is very prompt than any other service provider. I think if you want to do international call Phonewala is best option than any other company availabel in india.
RE:Internet Telephony
by ganesh on Aug 03, 2006 08:46 AM Permalink
Hello
Will you please tell me what is google talk and how to use it? Can I use it to call mobile phone in the US? Do u know anything about skype? pleaselet me know what it is. If you know any other such services, please tell me. thanks
