Korean Job Discussion Forums

[armbar]

Whats the best way to call home? (say, from Seoul Korea to the United States). I have heard of Skype (but know nothing about it), calling cards, hand phonesetc. I'm just trying to figure out how to set up some phone communication back home. Thanks

[CentralCali]

Skype is one of a number of VOIP (Voicer Over Internet Protocol) programs. If the person you wish to speak with also has a Skype account, then you can call them, Skype to Skype, for no cost. If you're going to be using your Skype program to call the person's home phone or cell phone, then you will pay a fee. The same goes for whatever other VOIP program you're using.

One way to minimize the costs is to establish a VOIP account whose phone number is in the country which you call most often. As I call the US most often for long distance calls, my VOIP is a San Francisco number. I'm considering setting up another one for my calls to Hong Kong so as not to pay the international dialing fees when I call the SAR.

[quilter]

Try magicjack. I have been using it for about 2 months and you can't get much cheaper with good quality.

www.magicjack.com

[freshking]

You're using that magigjack from Korea to call NA with no problems?

[quilter]

No problems at all. I registered a local number in SF and can call anywhere in N.America for free with it. Call quality is very good. For $20 a year unlimited calling, and you just plug it into any computer with broadband and you are good to go.

[JustJohn]

$40 initially, and I'm only here another 6 months. Not sure if it's worth it unless I call home a lot.

I know jajah lets you call free from Korea but you need a landline. Anyone know of anything free using just a computer or cell?

[JustJohn]

Update. I did some searching and this is what I found:

Jahjah - free, uses your phone, but you need a landline in Korea
Gizmo - uses your computer, free if you jump through a lot of hoops (such as install their mobile service on your handphone)
iCall - uses your computer, free 5 minute calls, unlimited incoming (friend in the states has to call a stateside number, gets put through to you)


iCall looks fairly useful, I'm going to give it a try. Anyone know of anything better? (I think skype still looks as good as anything for paid calls)

[JustJohn]

Okay iCall seems to be working but breaks up sometimes.

I found another one called earthcaller, looks to be genuinely free calls to the US and Canada. Quality seems very reasonable.

[Zutronius]

My parents use Yahoo's VOIP service to call my sister who's living in France and they're happy with it.

[JustJohn]

Last I knew they had started charging for that. I just talked to a friend for an hour on earthcaller. Call quality is quite good and there are no restrictions. I highly recommend it. Only drawback is it uses activex. I guess nothing in this world is perfect.

[hanguker]

Great thread! I'm looking forward to trying out these free services!

[KYC]

I just checked Jajah. It isnt free. It kept telling me to pay now.

[JustJohn]

There are restrictions with Jajah. Like I already said, it's not free from Korea unless you have a landline. Also, it's not free to every country in the world. Check their little map. Everything is laid out pretty clearly.

[KYC]

I do have a landline.

[JustJohn]

And where are you trying to call to, cell or landline?