Free wifi calls overseas, can do on mobile phone?

t8769

I used to be able to call the UK free with BT's phone app, but its finished now.
I hear Vodafone's free calls over wifi can be used overseas, has anyone used this?

What's the best network to call the UK free over wifi?

Thank yuo

victor2

If you're calling someone with a smartphone, why not use something like WhatsApp to make free calls over the internet? So many places (especially hotels all over the world) offer free WiFi, that it is a simple solution and doesn't depend on any particular mobile network.

Nick_C

Whatsapp is good if the people you want to be able to contact also have it.

But it might also be useful to get a VOIP service from Sipgate.

They will give you a landline number. People who don't have WhatsApp can call you on a UK landline number wherever you are, if you have WiFi. There is no cost for receiving calls. If you don't answer or are not online people can leave a voice message which is emailed to you.

You can call out from your VOIP line. You have to pay to call out, but prices are very reasonable.

https://www.sipgatebasic.co.uk/

Gloomendoom

Apparently, using one of the UK only Wi-fi calling apps works from abroad if you connect via a vpn.

Essentially, your phone thinks it's connected in the UK.

Frozen_up_north

Depends on which country you are visiting, restrictive regimes often block voice over IP (Skype, FaceTime, etc) and encrypted messaging apps.

Depending on which network/package you are on, you may be able to call back to the UK from your included minutes. For example Three cover 71 countries: http://www.three.co.uk/go-roam

A low cost option is Ringo: https://www.ringo.co/

Skype to Skype via WiFi is free, provided the UK people have Skype.

There are quite a few "free", or at least not expensive, options.

t8769

Thanks for the info.

I called Vodafone who said that I could use their free wifi-call app could be used outside of the EU, when calling landline numbers, but I've seen other people say it requires a VPN.

I was wondering if another company had a free wifi-call app for landlines that could be used overseas.

Thanks

buglawton

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Apparently, using one of the UK only Wi-fi calling apps works from abroad if you connect via a vpn.

Essentially, your phone thinks it's connected in the UK.

So you should be able to use roaming data if you have an allowance, when using roaming data on a UK network you are usually on a VPN to the UK.

Frozen_up_north

t8769 wrote: »

I called Vodafone who said that I could use their free wifi-call app could be used outside of the EU, when calling landline numbers, but I've seen other people say it requires a VPN.

Do Voda not include the ability to call the UK directly from some countries outside the EU? Three have "Roam like at home", which doesn't require WiFi, ie just use your mobile while out and about.

t8769

They said it does when I called them, but others say no.

its_all_over

Nick_C wrote: »

But it might also be useful to get a VOIP service from Sipgate.

They will give you a landline number. People who don't have WhatsApp can call you on a UK landline number wherever you are, if you have WiFi.

I use Sipgate on my mobile phone and can also receive calls to the Sipgate number even when on my mobile connection, not just on Wi-Fi.

If my phone has a signal and my data is turned on it will work with Sipgate. I use an app called CSipSimple to connect to the Sipgate service.

I would also add that calls out are also very cheap, even international calls start from just over 1p per minute and there is no monthly charge for the service.

Nick_C

Thanks. Yes, Sipgate VOIP will work over mobile data as well as WiFi, but many people will turn off mobile data when outside the EU.

There are a number of different apps you can use with Sipgate. I'm using Voiper.