At 28 Sep 2007 01:13:52 +0000 Larry wrote:

> $5/month for unlimited calling to any number USA/Canada incl
> AK/HI/PR is fed by greed?

I thought you meant a Skype-In number was now $5 (last time I
checked, it was $3.) I already have unlimited Skype-Out (courtesy
the $15 special back in January.) Are you talking about the new
Skype-Pro thing?

> You're saying this in a VERIZON WIRELESS newsgroup?!...ha
> ha...(c; You're a funny, funny boy!...(c;

I meant prices have risen steadily since the eBay acquisition. I
wonder if the competition from Magicjack.com will hold down a price
increase foer 2008? (Magicjack is a $40 USB-to-RJ11 device with a
year of unlimited In/Out for the first yesr, and $20 for additional
years... ...if they're around that long!)


> http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/
> Skype Unlimited is only for calls ORIGINATING and TERMINATING in
> the USA
> or Canada. In Mexico, you pay 2.1c/min to call 30 countries,
> including
> USA and Canada. The 3.9c connection fee is caused by the internet
> connection TO the Skype landline server's IP, just a flat rate that
> covers it from any place outside USA/Canada.

This is an illustration of the enigma that is Larry. I'm surprised
that the same guy who thinks they faked the Moon Landing believes
Skype's line of bullshit. The 3.9-cents fee is a "because they can"
fee. If it had anything to do with "costs for connecting to the
landline server's IP" other VoIPs would charge a connection fee as
well, but they don't. Landline interconnec fees are charged per
minute by local telcos- not "flat rate" per call. The approx. $0.01
fee for terminating to most US/Canada phones is already included in
the $0.021/minute fee.


> Many countries charge both
> parties for any call in or out. 3.9c + 2.1c/min is real cheap!


Compared to cellular, yes, but not as cheap as other VoIPs-
Voicestick is $0.011 for outgoing to
US/Canada, and well under 2c to many countries including the UK, with
NO connection fee. But again, I want a backup in case VoIP ports
(5060) are blocked... I'll just load a few bucks in the Skype credit
account before I leave, rather than re-up for unlimited again in '08.

(I've only used about 10 or 20 minutes in 2007 so far, and most of
that was for testing other VoIP accounts! I'm just a sucker for a
good deal and couldn't pass up a year of unlimited for $15!) I might
buy a Magicjack and end up not using it either! ;-)


> You may also call skype on ANY port, not just port 80. Simply
> change the port number in your Skype before you connect to the
> Skype server.
> It accepts Skype connects on any port, really thrilling the
cellular
> bastards trying to stop you using their aircards, too!...(c;


Right, but since 80 is typically the http port, it's a safe bet that
any system that allows web browsing leaves 80 open, as do most
cellphone data plans.

> Now for the trick! Buy SKYPE IN unlimited at home, where it's cheap.


> DON'T CALL YOUR HOUSE OR OFFICE! Call your SKYPE name on
> Skype...which
> is FREE from anyplace on the planet! Set your SKYPE IN to FORWARD
> it's
> Skype In calls TO YOUR HOME, THE WIFE'S CELL OR THE OFFICE PHONE!
> if you are OFFLINE, your call to the non-answering Skype-to-Skype
> call....goes to FORWARDING! I forward Skype In calls to my
> cellphone on
> Alltel. It doesn't care where you forward them to, as long as it's
> in
> the STATES/Canada. Your Skype call to Skype at home is
> free...forwards
> free...calls the OFFICE, who can forward your call to anyone you
> like IF
> you have two lines or a switchboard! Great way around the tariffs...

> (c;
>
> Larry
> --
> Shhh....don't tell Verizon!....or Alltel!


That's a lot of hassle to save 2.1 cents a minute! Besides, doesn't
forwarding Skype to a US landline charge you the 3.9c+2.1c/min? I
might as
well just direct dial the US from my Skype account and pay it.

Thanks for the info, though.
I'd better stick a ten-spot in my Skype Out account before I leave!
Thanks again, Larry.


--

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures
or double as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for
all the bells and whistles, but I could communicate better with
ACTUAL bells and whistles." -Bill Maher 9/25/2003