Skype or Blueface ?

LFC5Times

Which would i bet better off getting ?

Basically i have broadband with Eircom 3mb and my phone is with Newtel.

All i think i would be using skype/blueface for would be when ringing my brother in Australia or making a few phone calls to England.

Do you need to buy any hardware with either or just download software ?

Cheers for any advice

Freddie59

LFC5Times wrote:

Which would i bet better off getting ?

Basically i have broadband with Eircom 3mb and my phone is with Newtel.

All i think i would be using skype/blueface for would be when ringing my brother in Australia or making a few phone calls to England.

Do you need to buy any hardware with either or just download software ?

Cheers for any advice

I have Blueface and purchased an ATA with which to connect my phone. On NTL 6 Megs. Quality excellent. And as for the International rates. All I'll say is compare the price of a phone call to Australia on www.Blueface.ie and www.eircom.ie. The price differential is staggering.

HelterSkelter

You could use voipcheap.com and get the calls to Australia & UK (landlines) for free

AnotherKerryman

How about this option:

Sign your brother in OZ up to Blueface (or another VOIP provider - try www.freespeech.ie) & get him a local Irish (Dublin?) number.

Your Newtel phone package probably includes free local calls, so not only could you ring your brother's "Irish" number for free, but anybody else in Ireland (parents, other family, etc.) could also ring him free or for the cost of a local call. You could even ring him from your mobile for relatively cheap rates if you're on a good mobile package.

If you go with Blueface, he could use that account to ring anybody in Ireland for free (after paying the monthly fee). If you go with freespeech.ie, then he would get 10 free minutes a day with anything more than that charged to a prepay account.

Mossy

LFC5Times wrote:

Do you need to buy any hardware with either or just download software ?

You can use either Skype or Blueface with downloaded software and a microphone and headphones (or speakers), assuming that you have a working sound card.

Blueface also gives you the option of using a regular phone (this is how they expect you to use the service). For this you need a router and ATA adaptor (or an integrated router/ATA device). You can make and receive calls regardless of whether your computer is on or off, because the phone is connected to your internet connection.

Blueface has different price plans including plans with monthly fees and a pay as you go plan. If you pay a monthly fee you get a geographical phone number (e.g. 01 if you're in Dublin) in addition to your VoIP number (076). The pay monthly plans give you either unlimited free calls to certain countries or a number of hours of free calls to certain places.

HelterSkelter

www.dialwise.ie

Local call rate to UK & Australia. You just use your current home phone, no need for any VOIP, Broadband connection or other shíte. Dial 1890 99 03 03.

Rates: http://www.dialwise.ie/rates.php

(I don't work for them but use them a lot!)

Freddie59

HelterSkelter wrote:

www.dialwise.ie

Local call rate to UK & Australia. You just use your current home phone, no need for any VOIP, Broadband connection or other shíte. Dial 1890 99 03 03.

Rates: http://www.dialwise.ie/rates.php

(I don't work for them but use them a lot!)

In fairness you're using ****e to ring on.:D VoIP is the way of the future.

tak

Try Skype for yourself on your existing b/band. A lot of quality is lost if you use the video while talking but judge it yourself. Costs nothing.
Blueface is the one to get - and not just for cheap calls to Oz either.
ATA is around €50 off Ebay.
Ideally you should cut Eircom loose lest they interfere with your calls,if you have any wireless option where you are - but you may not have much other option.

Dummy

I signed up with Blueface the other day, and have nothing but praise for the service. I'm working off a wireless 1MB down and 256K up BB here in the sticks and the quality of the calls is excellent.

I had to call support twice during my setup and the guy I was speaking to was more than helpful. Praise where praise is due.

Cabaal

It really depends what you want it for,
If you want just outgoing calls and thats it I'd suggest Skype, If you want the ability to make outgoing calls and take incoming calls via a free 076 number I'd suggest blueface.ie or similar offerings.

Service wise, well to be honest I've hardl;y ever seen a bad word said about blueface and they've helped many people on both this forum and the forum on there website.