Free VoIP for Windows 8 phone

[whs]

Now that I bought this Nokia Lumia 521, I wonder how I get free VoIP like I have with GrooveIP in Android. Does anybody have experience in this area.

 

[whs]

104 people looked at this thread and nobody has an idea about VoIP on the W8P - come on guys. There must be someone who knows more than me.

 

[adamf]

104 people looked at this thread and nobody has an idea about VoIP on the W8P - come on guys. There must be someone who knows more than me.

Maybe but not me
I was thinking of buying one though...

 

[Brink]

Hey Wolfgang,

You might see if something like this may work for you.

MobileVoip | Windows Phone Apps+Games Store (United States)

OR

Viber for Windows Phone 8 update adds free VoIP calling with HD audio

 

[ectech]

Apparently, MetroTalk is really good, it utilizes Google Voice which is free. Although I don't have a Windows Phone so thats all i can contribute.

 

[whs]

Thanks Shawn. I was looking at Viber but did not quite understand whether that was free or whether you would have to subscribe to a service.

I am spoiled with Android where I can make free calls from anywhere into US landlines and mobile lines. But I want to keep my Android tablet in the US and carry the Lumia around. There is only so much one can haul.

Thanks ectech, I'll look into that one too. I already have an account with Google Voice. They only charge for calls from the US to Europe (2 cents/min) but not the other way around.

Update: the buggers at Google forced them to remove it.

We are sad to announce that after a request by Google, MetroTalk will be removed from the Windows Phone store on May 1, 2014. We apologize to all our users for this but the decision is beyond our control, and in fact affects all third-party Google Voice apps

 

[whs]

I read some more in the suggested links. The news are not encouraging. Nothing seems to be straight forward. These are all screwy deals. No wonder that Android is the prime choice because it is ages ahead of W8P.

 

[whs]

104 people looked at this thread and nobody has an idea about VoIP on the W8P - come on guys. There must be someone who knows more than me.

Maybe but not me
I was thinking of buying one though...

The price is attractive but if you are like me who does not want to deal with T-Mobile (minimum per month is $30 for calls and texting - no data), then you may be better off with an Android option. There you get free VoIP and a LOT more applications.

I bought the thing mainly as a navigation device because it is the cheapest option for WW free navigation. But the rest is rather disappointing. The rest for me is just testing W8P and considering that it cost less than my last USB stick, it is not too bad.

 

[Kari]

Wolfgang, WP8 has really a lot of VoIP options. Not knowing your VoIP service, this is how I use it on WP8.

First of all, Skype is really well integrated on WP8. Call quality is incredible, free voice and video calls to any Skype user on any device (PC, tablet, mobile phone) with Skype installed. In addition although with some extra cost, you being an ex-pat like me you might want to buy a so called Skype number on each country you have friends and / or family who regularly call you to make their calls cheaper or totally free. Skype numbers are regular landline numbers. I have a Skype number in three countries, for instance my family back in my native Finland pay nothing for calls to me using my Finnish Skype number (landline calls in Finland are always included in your monthly basic fee):

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When home and my niece calls on my Finnish Skype number all my devices currently online alarm me; I can then select if I take the call on Windows phone, Angie's iPad or my laptop or Windows tablet.

I also use a WP8 app MobileVoIP for another VoIP service I am subscribing. MobileVoIP can easily be found on WP Store:

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Install MobileVoIP, create a new user using credentials of your existing VoIP service or sign up for a new service:

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MobileVoIP website: https://www.mobilevoip.com/

​

Viber which Brink told about above is totally free and works well. Install it and it will automatically recognize which of your phone's contacts has Viber installed, thereafter calls, texts and picture messages between two Viber users are free. Very practical, very easy to use and learn.

Your VoIP needs must be really special if you cannot find something which works for you on your new Windows Phone.

Kari

 

[whs]

Kari, thanks for the info. My VoIP needs are actually very simple. I want to be able to call any landline in the US and Europe without any special prior arrangements. That's what I get with GrooveIP in Android and it works perfectly and is free - except calls from the US to Europe or within Europe which are 2 US cents per minute. But within the US and from Europe to the US is free.