Make Phone Calls to US for cheap!

[Sgroi135]

I have seen a lot of posts about making phone calls from Aruba to the US, people asking about calling cards and such.

If you are going to travel to Aruba with a laptop (as I do), and plan to have Internet access (Free at Radisson)....

There are a few ways to make phone calls, either cheap or for free (sorta).

You can look a a device called Magic Jack www.magijcjack.com. You pay for a year, I think it is like $40 bucks. You plug the device into your USB port and the software installs on your laptop, then you can either use the Microphone and speakers on your computer to make calls, or you can even plug a phone into to use.

You can also look at Skype. Which is another computer based phone service. Skype to Skype calls are free. Meaning that you can call somone via Skype for free if they are also using Skype. It is sort of like an instant message client where you just call their computer.

You can also use Skype and buy a subscription from them and even buy a phone number. For $2.95 a month you can make phone calls to the US from Aruba. You cannot receive calls this way, since you will not have an actual phone number. If you buy a phone number from them you will be able to receive calls also. http://skype.com/allfeatures/subscriptions/uscanada/

I personally have Vonage for my home phone service. I pay a flat fee of $34.95 + tax for my home service. They also have a $24.95 plan, but the extra one gives nice extra features. The service comes with a program called Vonage Companion where when I log in, my laptop becomes my phone. So no matter where I am in the world, as long as I have Internet acces (highspeed) I have my phone with me. Plug in headseat and I'm off. So if my phone rings at home, it rings in Aruba. There are also other benefits, but has nothing to do with Aruba! But if anyone is interested in getting it, <wink wink> I would get a referral benefit..

[dragonlady]

Well Said! THe only thing i would like to add that its only 2 cents a minute to make calls from your laptop to a landline or cell phone using skype. Now someone else having a laptop and using skype can call you, but for a land liine/cell phone to call your laptop skype you would indeed have to buy a phone number. DH uses skype ALL the time. Was great when he was in germany and mexico.

[Sgroi135]

Originally Posted by dragonlady

THe only thing i would like to add that its only 2 cents a minute to make calls from your laptop to a landline or cell phone using skype.

I believe that If you buy a number and get a subscription for like $2.95 a month you don't incur any per minute charges!

[MARK68]

I have used Magicjack in Aruba several times and the initial cost is $40 1st yr. and $20 yearly. I like the fact that you are assigned a local number and that a telephone plugs into the majicjack adaptor. The reception is good and clear. Good info Sgroi135

[Sgroi135]

Originally Posted by MARK68

I have used Magicjack in Aruba several times and the initial cost is $40 1st yr. and $20 yearly. I like the fact that you are assigned a local number and that a telephone plugs into the majicjack adaptor. The reception is good and clear. Good info Sgroi135

I actually have 2 of them . Best part is you can take them anywhere!!! Voicemail and everything included!!!!

[silverfox82]

I used magicjack on my june trip. It worked flawlessly in the 1st hotel with a strong wifi signal and not at all in the 2nd with a poor signal, still a great alternative. You can receive voicemails thru your email if your computer is off.

[pbelavich]

do you have to buy points for using the Magic Jack? I know when my husband bought it last year it didnt work international,we are going to Aruba in Nov and I would bring it with us if it really works.

[Sgroi135]

Originally Posted by peggy

do you have to buy points for using the Magic Jack? I know when my husband bought it last year it didnt work international,we are going to Aruba in Nov and I would bring it with us if it really works.

No you don't have to buy anything but the magic jack that comes with 1 year service.

If it didn't work for you International, then it was not a problem with Magic Jack. The Magijc Jack does not know where it is, nor does it care. As long as it is on the Internet then it will work.

They only way that you "may" have a problem is if where you were, BLOCK the port (computer term) for the connection of magic jack to the Internet. I have heard that some places have done that. But I'm thinking that if there was a problem it might have been with your computer, the actual magic jack, or the service at that time.

[Shnyda]

You need to have a good internet connection to have Magic Jack work correctly. I have family that used it in Aruba at a smaller hotel where the connection was a little slow and the connection was very hard to hear.

[Sgroi135]

Originally Posted by Shnyda

You need to have a good internet connection to have Magic Jack work correctly. I have family that used it in Aruba at a smaller hotel where the connection was a little slow and the connection was very hard to hear.

You are 100% correct. That is why it is "always" better to have a hard wired connection vs a wireless.