Totally free worldwide Skype calls with Three

Former_MSE_Archna

What's the deal?

Skype is a web calls system which lets you talk to anyone anywhere in the world for free if they're registered too or for a few pence if they're not.

3's free Skype calls deal has just got even better. It's been possible to get free worldwide Skype calls (an internet telephony service) through a 3 mobile for a while, provided you had a Skype enabled handset and either topped up regularly or had a monthly contract.

Now you can nab a FREE PAYG sim card to put it in your unlocked 3G handset. This means if you're calling from your Skype sim card to another Skype line it won't cost you a penny.

How to get it

• Already a three PAYG or monthly customer? Check if your mobile handset is Skype enabled by plugging in your handset details on three's site. Then you'll simply need to register a Skype account and open up the Skype page on your mobile.
• Not a three customer? Get a free three sim card which you can use in any unlocked 3G (see below for more info) phone. Alternatively it's possible to buy a Skype enabled PAYG handset, the cheapest is £19.99, to use with the free sim.

Why's it doing this for free?

This is a stonking offer and it's been questioned whether Three will be able to maintain it. But when ultimately it hopes you'll use the phone for other calls too, and this is how it'll make its money back.

What about Skype to non-Skype calls?

You can also make Skype out calls (to non-Skype landlines & mobiles) with your handset but these won't be free, you'll pay the usual Skype rates.

Can you call when abroad?

It's not currently possible to call for free when you're abroad and there's a block on this to stop anyone from accidently racking up a large data bill. The best thing to do is use Skype for free from a PC with normal web access if you can get it cheap on your hols.

Anything else?

There used to be a limit to the number of free minutes you could use in any top-up period. This has also been ditched so you can call as much as you like.

What's un unlocked handset?

Most phone are locked to a particular network meaning if you put a different provider's sim card in, it won't work. Yet it's possible to easily unlock a phone for free or for a small cost via your provider. For full info read the Unlocking Mobiles guide.

What's a 3g phone?

3G or third generation phones offer higher tenchonology and usually mean you can surf the net on your phone amongst other things.

Related Articles: VOIP: Completely Free Calls Via The Web, Cheap Roaming

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asd030

It's free probably because it's so bad it's almost unusable.

We bought two 3 PAYG phones a month ago for this service and have been disappointed. There is a delay of around three seconds when you are talking on Skype calls, which is enough to make it incredibly difficult and annoying to use as you just end up talking over each other all the time. This is usually accompanied by an echo where you hear your voice coming back which is also very off-putting.

The phones are flaky too (mine keeps rebooting at random, sometimes 5 or more times in a row, silently cancelling the Skype app without you knowing). Battery needs charging every day too. And don't get me started on mobile internet...

smth_2

I'd have to agree with asd030. As well as the three second lag, which is worse than most international calls, the call quality is dire - like when calling a mobile that keeps cutting out. I've tried calling home on Skype several times (where it's installed on my home computer) but mostly end up calling the landline - I just can't make out a lot of what is being said. Interestingly, I find that they can hear me a lot better than I can hear them.

456789

I am still waiting for my free 3 sim to turn up - hopefully I have better luck than the above 2 posters

WWERAW

I work for 3 and I cannot recommend that you DO NOT use their services more. We are given a free 3 mobile with unlimited UK calls and texts as well as a free USB modem as part of our job and the coverage is so poor in central London that I don't actually use it, I took a contract out with another service provider which I am VERY happy with. It says a lot for a moneysaver to be willing to spend on something which I can get for free but effectively you don't. The coverage is SO poor that calls drop every few minutes, network goes down more often than it should do and texts can be delayed for up to an hour.
I have had multiple replacement phones for this and we have concluded that it is definately the signal coverage.

Skype's delay is terrible, although some will not mind as they can use a service for free, it is still annoying.

Customer services: Come and see me and you'll get the best customer service possible, even though I do not believe in the product or the company's "vision", but getting decent customer service from the call centre is impossible.
Customers trying to cancel their contracts are forced to sit through an embarrassing torrent of harassment which is relentless for up to 95 minutes, and the shocking hold times, even for staff are un-workable.

I know 3 offer many free things and without a doubt, the best deals on the market but be warned from an employee, it's like comparing flying around the world in a Ryanair seat (I know you can't but you get what I mean!) compared to a First Class Virgin Atlantic sky bed, you get what you pay for.

500 mins, unlimited texts, e-mail, Skype, MSN, internet etc for £15 is all good on paper but when these services run at a minimal standard you would be better off spending a few more pound and getting a plan with either O2 or Orange. As for Skype, stick to your PC.

That's my 2 cents, I'm sure there will be holes picked in it............

WWERAW

By the way if you REALLY want a free 3 sim, then pop into your local 3 store. They are obliged and targeted as of this month to give out SIM cards to everyone who walks through the doors, or at least offer it to them free of charge, no strings attached.

Pssst

Thanks for the heads up on this as i was thinking of moving to 3 for this service. As its apparently rubbish, i wont bother.

I use Skpye from home and i cannot fault it. Its as good as a dial up link for me using my lappy and headset,no delay.

WWERAW

Pssst wrote: »

.
I use Skpye from home and i cannot fault it. Its as good as a dial up link for me using my lappy and headset,no delay.

No problem. I can say if you are happy with Skype at home stick to it. You would be more than disappointed with the service on offer from Three. Of course if you wanted to try it grab a free SIM but I have no doubt you'll be upset.

Supportspice

I moved to 3 and have regretted it ever since.
300 Free units are worthless if you cannot use them because the connection is so poor.
Free msn works only when you have completely full signal (3.5g) otherwise it crashes the phone.
Phone says it has signal until you try and use it then it tells you there isnt signal. (At which point I understood from the man in the shop, it would piggy back the vodafone network - I was worried about coverage.) but although my 3 phone wont work my vodafone phone does.

I got the contract specifically because the coverage issues seemed to have been thought out, I could use MSN for free, it would handle my skype and I could roll all my business and personal requirements into one. Being self employed and having lost work because message and calls dont get through to/from me reliably, I find myself effectively paying for a camera.

Needless to say with the initial problems I have not bothered to set up my skype on it.

Counting down the days til I can cancel the contract.

WWERAW

Supportspice wrote: »

I moved to 3 and have regretted it ever since. (At which point I understood from the man in the shop, it would piggy back the vodafone network - I was worried about coverage.) but although my 3 phone wont work my vodafone phone does.

Hi, I don't know much about the law or your rights but if you can prove this, you have been mis-sold. The 3 network used to roam onto O2 but the contract expired in September. Since then it has used T-Mobile + Orange to piggy-back from. That's what we're told anyway

Pssst

If its so crap,then 3 need taking to task about it especially as they are advertising heavily at the moment.