Free Texts: Includes virtually free texts from mobiles Discussion

peterbaker

mandcj

You might also bear in mind a WiFi enabled handset like Nokia 9500 or N95 (not sure how many others there are out there) can access the internet via any wireless network where access has been officially granted e.g. to a student at university.

That way I used Vyke Pro very successfully over a residential wireless network whilst on holiday in France this summer (completely free of course).

Otherwise, if you decide to skip Vyke or smsbug until it is more predictable, then you might wish to note that a friend of mine who works in France for half the year keeps two phones to save money. One has a French SIM.

Personally I would try to get Vyke working. Even if you don't buy from them, do go to CarPhone Warehouse to pick their brain on handsets which may or may be locked or crippled. In my experience, CPW generally have had the least locked/crippled handsets over many years...

mandcj

Thank you PeterBaker.

We'd wondered about the local SIM option possibly for texts. Will probably use Vodafone passport for voice as contract included minutes will otherwise go unused, also use Skype for regular contact!

Will pursue the Vyke option too, thanks for advice re: CPW.

Disco_Des

After persevering for weeks with Skype Pro I installed Vyke Lite on my Orange Pay monthly Nokia 6233 and ......IT WORKS! I will be going to Spain for 2 weeks this weekend and have SMS bug also installed. We have family going over at the same time and communicate via text alot so hopefully I will save a few bob..... :rolleyes:

tfdodo

OK, so far so good, a couple of queries...
-can I get vyk fore more than one handset on a single account ? (do I want to ?)
have installed vyke on my nokia 6230, unlocked, orange contract and the 'minimise' button (top right) doesn't seem to do anything. So I dont seem to be able to leave vyke logged in whilst I do anything else (as the only way to leave it on the meny is 'disconnect' or 'exit' ??? suggestions ?

I have 'allocated' the top right button to Bluetooth usually, but you can't 'unallocate ' it in settings>personal shortcuts (only restore the nokia default).

-thinking of jumping ship to Voda as my contract is up, but vyke looks excellent ... is this going to be an ongoing "vyke techs vs voda techs" game like the "bar cheap landline numbers of override providers" saga ?

Disco_Des

Disco_Des wrote: »

After persevering for weeks with Skype Pro I installed Vyke Lite on my Orange Pay monthly Nokia 6233 and ......IT WORKS! I will be going to Spain for 2 weeks this weekend and have SMS bug also installed. We have family going over at the same time and communicate via text alot so hopefully I will save a few bob..... :rolleyes:

:eek: BIG EDIT! :eek:

Should read; "After persevering for weeks with Vyke Pro I installed Vyke Lite on my Orange Pay monthly Nokia 6233 and ......IT WORKS!"

warthog2

ikr2 wrote: »

This looks good - I can see how it would be great for heavy texters.

My current Orange PAYG plan seems to work well for me: Top up by £10 each month and you get 300 texts, £4 = 1MB of web browsing and 600 mins of calls to other Orange mobiles between 7pm & midnight. Plus of course the £10 credit to use for calls, extra texts or extra web browsing.

For my phone usage (100-250 texts, calls to 2 of my family with Orange mobiles, up to 2MB browsing per month, the odd general call) this seems to be the best plan.

When I enquired yesterday I was only offered 50 texts per month and 15p per minute for calls. I wonder if your excellent deal is still available and should I try calling them again? Any advice from anyone would be great.

Disco_Des

I have just had a e-mail from Vyke Supprt ref VYKE PRO, I asked them why it would not work on my Nokia 6233 on Orange Contract and here is their reply;

"Dear customer,
Thank you for contacting Vyke Support.


Date: 07/Sep/07 12:16 PM
We would like to apologize for the late reply. Please be inform that the new Vyke Mobile Pro will release by 13/09/07. In the mean time, please do try on Vyke Mobile lite as retrieve on the link as below (I removed this) through your mobile and install accordingly."

So there you have it, ther will be update to Vyke Mobile Pro on the 13th September. As they recommend I have ALREADY downloaded Vyke Mobile Lite on this phone and IT WORKS, not as much functionality as Vyke Mobile Pro but nevertheless it will enable me to make cheap calls from Spain,
I just HOPE that I will not get clobbered by Orange for Data charges. :eek:

redux

Several * of the Betamax VoIP brands have just launched free text promotions, for slightly different ranges of countries; Voipwise has the longest list.

These are for people with credit in an account, and could be sent either from the software client or by logging in to the website.

The offer is unlikely to be permanent, and they reserve the right to charge after a certain number (my guess 100 to 250), so I wouldn't recommend people get an account only for this reason, but just note this if they already have or are considering an account anyway.

* FreeCall, InternetCalls, JustVoip, LowRateVoip, NetAppel, NoNoh, SparVoip, Voipwise, WebCallDirect

Disco_Des

:cool:

Now back from my 2 weeks in Spain. I used SMS Bug to send cheap texts rather than pay 30p/text with Orange. All worked well _party_ , now just waiting to see what my bill will be with Orange for the data.

inmypocketnottheirs

Disco_Des wrote: »

:cool:

Now back from my 2 weeks in Spain. I used SMS Bug to send cheap texts rather than pay 30p/text with Orange. All worked well _party_ , now just waiting to see what my bill will be with Orange for the data.

Data is horribly expensive when roaming! :mad:

However, if sms bug really uses very little, then it may not even show up. However, I have had bad experiences using Tom Tom Traffic (which does not even register usage in the UK) and had an £80 data roaming bill after a week in Holland.

Another good feature of Vyke is the SMS calling. Basically, register your mobile on their site, save in to your phone memory an sms gateway number relevant to your airtime provider (part of the inclusive text bundles or normal text price), then send a text with the number you wish to call and you then get a call back. This works anywhere, although if roaming you would of course pay to receive the call back - unless you susbscribe to o2 myeurope bolt on for £10 a month then EU roaming is free. All you pay is the standard text call (or free if bundled) and then 10.8p per minute for the call debited to your Vyke balance. 10.8p is a lot cheaper than a roaming call!