Totally free worldwide Skype calls with Three

mike_paterson

Well, in direct contrast to the other people here, I have found the 3 skype service to be excellent. Having installed it, I was suprised to hear my phone ring as normal when a skype call came in, and then to be able to have a conversation a if it was a regular mobile call.

As I use skype anyway, this is a great addition as it means I can make and receive skype calls and messages wherever I am.

Re the network comments, Three have a backup network used when the 3 network is weak - They use Orange so the only problems that should occurr are when you are in an area that is poorly served by both 3 and orange.

nibs

Hi, just want to say that I've been with 'three' for years and have excellent coverage, never had a problem at all. Before this I used to be on orange and the coverage was shocking. It just proves that just because a network is good in one area, it doesn't mean its going to work for someone in a different town/city.
The best thing is to check the coverage for the network in your area before you sign up.

WWERAW

mike_paterson wrote: »

They use Orange so the only problems that should occurr are when you are in an area that is poorly served by both 3 and orange.

Sadly this isn't the case though. As the phones are set by default to pick up 3G before 2.5G, even a very weak 3G signal is prioritised over a strong 2.5G connection. The problem lies with the fact that 3 has dropped the seemless 3G - 2.5G handover because of "costs", so if you have a 3G signal and go to a 2.5G area mid call, your call will now drop. As you redial, more often than not it will find the 3G coverage again and dial using that which results in another call drop. You should be able to set the phone so that it stays on the 2.5G or 3G network but 3 has disabled this as it costs them to have you making all your calls on another network.
This is just one of the reasons that call quality and signal drop-out is bad for most, but if you are having no issues, more power to you.
It is also worth noting that ALL Three stores have in-store signal boosters so they run into few issues when conducting demo's of handsets. Walk more than 50 metres from the store and watch the signal drop........

l33tsp33k

There are some misconceptions and misinformation in the top post in this thread that need correcting.

There are two ways of accessing Skype on a mobile phone. On most mobile networks (if it's not blocked) you can use the standard Skype mobile software either via wifi (if your phone has it) or 3G UTMS data. This is what is likely to cause the 3 second delay etc that people have noticed, 3G data is often not good enough for Voice over IP calls like Skype. If you do it this way then you can make calls to other people on Skype, all other numbers worldwide (and get charged by Skype for this) and if you have a Skype unlimited calling subscription the calls are free.

However, if you download the special Skype software for 3 (this is NOT the software you get from Skype.com, it's only available on Three's customer web site only accessible from Three phones), then Skype works in a different way. What happens is, when you want to make a call, the Skype client calls a special number on the Three network (this is a free call, you don't get charged for this), then the call goes over the Internet to the other person as usual. This results in a much better call quality and lower delay than the call going over 3G data or wifi. The 3G data channel is only used for your Skype status and any online "chats" you are having. This method is basically an admission by Three that their 3G data network isn't really up to VoIP but there you go...

So you can call:
- other people on Skype for free
- people on ordinary phone lines in other countries (and get charged by Skype, or get it free if you have an unlimited call subscription with Skype).
- what you CANNOT do is call UK landlines and mobiles from Skype on 3. Why would Three do this, they would never get any more revenue from you?!

There is a workaround to the last point however I won't complicate matters by describing it here right now.

And regarding the call and data quality, I've been on Three for a couple of years and found it perfectly acceptable. Coverage is perhaps not quite as good as some of the other networks, but in terms of value for money for both calls and data it's pretty good. In particular Three don't try and take your eyes out for data charges like most other networks.

Hope this helps,

Mike

smth_2

l33tsp33k wrote: »

On most mobile networks (if it's not blocked) you can use the standard Skype mobile software either via wifi (if your phone has it) or 3G UTMS data. This is what is likely to cause the 3 second delay etc that people have noticed, 3G data is often not good enough for Voice over IP calls like Skype.

<snip>

Skype client calls a special number on the Three network (this is a free call, you don't get charged for this), then the call goes over the Internet to the other person as usual. This results in a much better call quality and lower delay than the call going over 3G data or wifi.

I am actually using the latter method (i.e. my mobile uses Three's skype client which routes skype calls via standard mobile calls), but still get the delay. I had assumed this was therefore an issue with skype in general, since Three's network was only being used for a voice call, not a data one. However, the fact that people have reported being happy using a PC seems to suggest there's an issue with Three's Skype node.

For me, the delay is annoying, but liveable with. The main issue I had was with the actual quality of the sound coming though - like I said this was only an issue one-way (i.e. PC->Skype->Three->MyMobile)

l33tsp33k wrote: »

And regarding the call and data quality, I've been on Three for a couple of years and found it perfectly acceptable. Coverage is perhaps not quite as good as some of the other networks, but in terms of value for money for both calls and data it's pretty good. In particular Three don't try and take your eyes out for data charges like most other networks.

Ditto. I haven't had cause to be annoyed until my Skype experience.

interestingusername

Does anyone know where I can find a three handset for the mentioned £19.99?

I only recently got my 3 sims... and would like to try it out

verdy

Hmm, I cannot complain too much about Three either. Mobile coverage in general is allright, even I dont live in London. Yes, there are delays with Skype (but not always), but on the other hand it is great to be able to Skype whenever I want not only when I am next to the PC. But I am not terribly happy with their mobile internet. Internet connection is good mainly only on workings days until 6pm, afterwards internet often is not usable. On the positive side- it is great to take the Internet connection with me when I travel:)

WenDee

I've always been really happy with Three's coverage. I also get a superb deal from them! Skype always has had a delay when calling China from my PC. Not tried it on my phone - maybe not cosmoplolitan enough. My main problem with Three is the call centre. I wish they would use a centre in the UK and keep the employment here.

Patrick20

interestingusername wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can find a three handset for the mentioned £19.99?

I only recently got my 3 sims... and would like to try it out

+1 for this requst(i presume you mean SKYPE ENABLED not just any 3 handset). The cheapest skype enabled phone ive seen is £70.

steadynerve

Been reading this thread with interest. Wasn't sure when it says with the phone you can call other people on skype for free. Does that mean that you can make mobile to mobile calls to other people who have the same mobile three mobile phone set up as you?