Seeking VoIP Alternatives for Calling Australia from Abroad
With the impending shutdown of Skype, I’ve been on a mission to find suitable VoIP alternatives. My main requirement is the ability to call 1300 numbers in Australia from overseas.
Unfortunately, my search has been frustrating. The trial services I’ve tested either work sporadically—some connections are fine, while others don’t go through—or they leave me stuck in endless ringing with no response from the automated services. So far, I’ve experimented with Telfon, Viber, Rebtel, and Yolla, with little success.
While I consider myself fairly tech-savvy, I found the setup processes for Twilio and Telfon to be quite complicated and ultimately unproductive.
If any of you tech wizards have suggestions, I’d love to hear them! Out of sheer desperation, I even tried a PC-to-PC video call with a friend, asking them to put their cellphone on speaker. Unfortunately, the audio quality was terrible, and I couldn’t hear anything—plus, I need to verify my identity during the call.
A couple of notes:
– I can’t subscribe to Australian VoIP providers, as many are geo-blocked (even with obfuscated VPNs, P2P, and TOR), and most require an existing NBN account.
– Ideally, I’m looking for a pay-as-you-go option, similar to the old Skype credit system. However, I might consider a subscription for a month if that’s the only option.
One last thing: the numbers I’m trying to reach don’t have an international counterpart, and have opted not to return calls from international numbers.
Thanks in advance for any help!
I understand how frustrating it can be to find a reliable VoIP solution for calling 1300 numbers in Australia from overseas. Here are a few options you might consider that could help you out:
Google Voice: If you can set up a Google Voice account, this can sometimes work for calling Australian numbers. However, it’s worth noting that it might not directly support 1300 numbers. It may be worth a shot given its ease of use.
SIP Providers: While setting up might take some time, using a SIP service (Session Initiation Protocol) like Callcentric or VoIP.ms might give you better connectivity. You can set them up to work with various softphones (like Zoiper or Linphone) which are often easier to configure than Twilio.
Local SIM Card: Depending on your location overseas, you might consider getting a local SIM card that allows for international calls. It sounds like a hassle, but it may save time and effort in the long run.
WhatsApp or Similar Apps: Some businesses use WhatsApp or similar messaging services that integrate with their customer service. It might be worthwhile to reach out via their customer support channels to see if they have options available.
OpenPhone: Although it’s geared towards businesses, OpenPhone offers a pay-as-you-go pricing structure and might be able to connect you with 1300 numbers, but you would need to confirm this.
International Calling Cards: There are often international calling cards that can provide access to Australian numbers at competitive rates. Just make sure they support 1300 numbers.
Search for Local VoIP Solutions: Sometimes local telecom providers in your area might offer a service that can connect to Australian numbers, including 1300 numbers.
Remember to verify if the service you’re considering explicitly states that it supports calls to 1300 numbers. It can be a bit of trial and error, but hopefully one of these suggestions will work for you! Good luck!