BritanniAmerica

There are many different ways we can keep in touch with our family and friends back in the US...tell us your method, and how much it costs!

I am a big fan of Skype - the online messaging service that also offers computer-to-computer, phone-to-computer, computer-to-phone, and even phone-to-phone communication.

I purchased a phone number for US$24/yr and with it I also get Skype-In, which is a local access number you can use from any phone to use your Skype account to make phone calls. For just US$2.99/mo I get unlimited phone calls to the US, so my annual cost for this service is less than US$60. I believe Skype also offers a discount on your phone number if you are also subscribing to a calling plan at the same time. Skype also can send SMS messages, which I found useful while Tim and I were apart.

I've set up the Skype-In number so if I'm out and need to call the US, I can dial the access number from my mobile and call the US only for the cost of the mobile call.

We went with Tiscali and got an internet and phone package which includes unlimited calls within the UK and to the US for just £19.99/month. Such a bargain. However calls to the US are limited to one hour per call and we were told if we planned on talking to anyone in the US for more than an hour to just end the call and call right back. Tiscali is now Talk Talk and I'm not sure if they offer this package. We plan on moving this year and I'm hoping we can continue getting all our phone and internet for just £19.99/month.

I'm seconding the recommendation for Skype! It's so affordable and you can talk to anyone, whether they have a computer or not (which is handy because my mother is afraid of them... *sigh*). The quality of the PC to phone calls is really good too. I haven't had any problems with Skype!

Jamie and I both have the £5 deal from Sky. Basically, you can call 20 different countries (US and UK included, of course), talk for an hour, hang up, call back, and it won't cost any extra. I've used it to phone not only Jamie, but also to phone my parents and brother back in Ohio. We also use it to call our friends in Germany and The Netherlands (both countries included as well).

Oooorrr....my Mom and I video chat on MSN. But that's a rarity.

I love Skype, but I didn't get what I thought I was getting. I tried to hook up my Skype number call forwards to my home phone number if I'm not online, but Skype won't allow it since it's a UK number and my plan is an unlimited US/Canada plan. Besides that little snafu, though, Skype has worked a treat for me!

We always keep a "EuroCity" phonecard that you can buy in a shop for £5 and has roughly 6 hours talktime on it. Other wise its through the computer or Xbox. We have made friends with the new owners of our corner shop who gave us a telephone number that they use to dail India for 2p a minute and you can use it worldwide. We tried it out yesterday for the first time..so just waiting for the bill to see if its true! If so..I will post the number on here....

We signed up with Tiscali for a phone and broadband package. We have unlimited calls within the UK and to the US, plus our internet, for just £19.99/month. Like CKGrl, when we phone the US we have to hang up after an hour and then call back. I think it is a great bargain! I believe Tiscali is now Talk Talk so who knows if this package is available with them.

I call a local UK landline number which asks me to enter the number I wish to dial and charges me 1p per minute. This is really nice for me because I have an unlimited landline bolt-on to my O2 package, so I none of these calls use up any of my mobile phone minutes. (and there is no delay issue and I dont need to have a wifi connection).

My aunt is so funny. She forgets that I have Skype with a US calling plan, and when she calls, after about 10 minutes she'll say "this must be costing you a fortune!"

Skype here as well. We also have a skype landline, allowing people abroad to reach us for free from their computers even if ours are not on.

Plus skype has an app for the iPhone which is free from your cell phone providing you are in a wifi area.

Ah! Back to THE avatar that we've all come to recognise and love. NOW I know who you are.

Explain this. What is this? I have a skype number for people to call, but it's set up as a US number so it's not an int'l call. How can I get it to go to the landline?

You have to buy a skype phone and then you replace your landline phone with it. You set up a skype user ID on the phone (for instance, Mark and I have a skype account just for the phone) and the phone keeps the account perma logged in. Then, you can set the phone to have a ringtone for skype only, and a different one for landline calls. So we know before picking up if the call is coming from skype or the landline.

The skype account you set up for your phone then always shows as available on other people's skype friends list, and if they call it from their computer, it connects to the phone.

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I use Skype as well. I only have an iPhone, and am rather miffed that the iPhone app isn't recognizing my "stay logged in" setting - it will only ring (for an incoming Skype call) if I have the Skype app open.

I did manage to hack the phone to use 3G for Skype as well as wifi, but I've found the carriers tend to be crap with that (i.e. you'll get to talk for 2min and then the 3G signal wavers enough for Skype to drop the call).

I've had issues using the phone number in contact forms as well, for some reason they won't validate it as a real phone number. Still, for keeping in touch with family, it works pretty well (so far - it's only been a month!).

ooooh. I was looking at those Skype phones, but Tim and I thought you had to plug it in to the computer to work.

I use Vonage and LOVE it! 6.99 a month for unlimited calls to the US, including landlines and cell phones.

We skype, but also have the Sky deal as well.