Cheap calling options

[tallcoolone 102]

When you call using Gmail you will see the rates or free.Unfortunately in US and Canada its free

Is GMail like using Yahoo Messenger?

[And<3Jhe 0]

Is GMail like using Yahoo Messenger?

Gmail its a website just make id and password and go to www.gmail.com and you will see it

[Kish.2328 9]

We use Telepinas. Its a 2-way unlimited calling from and to the Philippines. You can call her and she can call you anytime anywhere through cellphone. This works good for us cos both of us are working. There's no need for an internet connection, just a cellphone. Its $100 per month.

[happyblessedme 12]

For a country where the majority of people live below poverty, it is sure expensive to call there! No matter what phone card site I'm on, the Philippines has one of the highest rates!

Has anyone found any good quality service, reasonably priced options that they use?

Unfortunately we can only talk online when she goes to the city. But that is a few hours by bus from where she lives - so very inconvenient to both of us due to the time difference and me still working.

If she has no access to the internet she can buy a $2 or $3 PLDT budget card or Globe card that she can use to call u from her cellphone if she has. The PLDT budget card is only $2 (before not sure how much now)0r $3 and that is for 30 minutes talk. She only needs to find any PLDT public pay phone that's what i did when i was there..the connection is very clear. I call my hubby every single day.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Is GMail like using Yahoo Messenger?

Just like it, or Skype. You put money into an account, and it debits for each minute you talk. Not the cheapest rate at 17¢ though...

[Kevin- 13]

Is there wireless internet available for her? Such as Smart-Bro. It sounds unlikely, but it's worth asking.

Before my first trip over there, I spent thousands on phone calls. None of the "unlimited" talk plans reached her area. I didn't know about Rebtel at the time, and Google did not yet offer their phone service. On my first trip, I took her a laptop, and she was able to get Smart-Bro service at home. We used that to talk online most of the time after that, although it wasn't a fast enough connection at her location for voice and video chat, only text based. Still, far far cheaper to stay in touch that way than regular phone service.

[And<3Jhe 0]

Just like it, or Skype. You put money into an account, and it debits for each minute you talk. Not the cheapest rate at 17¢ though...

As I said its free for USA and Canada only But you need your fiance from Philippines to call you

Edited May 2, 2011 by And<3Jhe

[tallcoolone 102]

Just like it, or Skype. You put money into an account, and it debits for each minute you talk. Not the cheapest rate at 17¢ though...

That ain't too good.

Back in the day when my girl was still in the Philippines, I had SmartBro DSL computer set up where she was living and we would use Yahoo Messenger with headphone and webcam and talk.

[tallcoolone 102]

As I said its free for USA and Canada only But you need your fiance from Philippines to call you

If the Cellphone carrier MetroPCS is available to you in USA, you can pay $40 per month for unllimited Cell text, Talk, internet connection, and International Texts are free from USA to Philippines.

My wife has some type of Smart Bro Sims card we paid like 70 pesos for and she can recieve free incoming text from Philippines.

Cheapest way to do business for us.

Also I used to use Chikka back in the day.....

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

As I said its free for USA and Canada only But you need your fiance from Philippines to call you

True, but... the OP has said, more than once, his fiancee does not have internet where she lives, so Gmail won't work, nor Skype, YM, etc.

Another option would be a smartphone that allows YM or Skype to work on it. My fiancee has one of these, but not sure how much she pays for her loads.

[Kish.2328 9]

Since the OP mentioned his fiancée doesn't have skype, yahoo or whatever at home and needs to go to the city to access the net, then I bet Telepinas would be great.

[tallcoolone 102]

For U.S. Cellfone to PI Cellfone best rate I have found is MetroPCS Cellfone. Metro sells a calling card and it runs about 10 cents per minutes from US to PI CellFone.

Metro also offers unlimited international call for $5 per month, but that is to landlines..

[Joan >3 Bob 20]

Just buy her a basic cell phone and send her money for load but hope the phone does not end up getting pawned.

[tallcoolone 102]

Just buy her a basic cell phone and send her money for load but hope the phone does not end up getting pawned.

That greatness.

My wife has a brother that is a Trust Fund Baby in PI. He has 2 degrees was in law school for a couple of years, He about 45 years old, Never worked a day in his life. Has a house that he lives in, has a nanny for his small son (The mother fled cuz he's a drunk), he gets an allowance for motorcyle and food each week.

I have purchased him about 6 cellfones in 3 years and they all get pawned, the guy would pawn his liver or kidney if he could.....

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

We've been using Rebtel for quite a while and have been really happy with it. They just recently raised their rates some - 10.9 a min to a landline and 15.9 to mobile - but it's still pretty reasonable.