VoIP Solutions: Calling Australia from Abroad
With Skype shutting down, I’ve been on the hunt for VoIP alternatives, particularly for reaching 1300 numbers in Australia from overseas.
Unfortunately, my search has been frustrating. The trial services I’ve experimented with—Telfon, Viber, Rebtel, and Yolla—have been inconsistent. Some calls connect, while others just ring endlessly without anyone answering.
Although I consider myself tech-savvy, setting up Twilio and Telfon became quite complicated, and I didn’t make any progress.
If anyone out there has some clever ideas or solutions, I’d love to hear them. In a moment of desperation, I resorted to a PC-to-PC video call with a friend, asking them to put their cellphone on speaker, but the audio was completely garbled, making it impossible to communicate (especially since I need to go through identity verification as well).
P.S.: Unfortunately, I can’t use Australian-based VoIP providers because many are geoblocked. Even attempts to use obfuscated VPNs, P2P networks, and TOR haven’t worked, and most require an existing NBN account.
P.P.S.: Ideally, I’m looking for a pay-as-you-go option, like the old Skype credit system. If I have to go for a subscription, I’m willing to try it for a month and cancel later.
P.P.P.S.: The numbers I’m trying to reach don’t have an international dial-in option and have refused to call me back because it would be an overseas call.
It sounds like you’re in a tricky situation, especially with the need to call 1300 numbers in Australia from overseas. Here are a few alternatives and suggestions that might help you connect more reliably:
Google Voice: If you can set up a Google Voice account, it allows for calls to Australia and offers a pay-as-you-go option. You might need to use a US phone number during setup, but once you’re in, it should work for your needs.
Call Forwarding Services: Some services allow you to create an Australian phone number that can forward to your overseas location. This way, you can call the local number, and the service connects you to the 1300 number. Look into Call Forwarding or Virtual Number services that don’t have geo-restrictions.
Rebtel: If you haven’t already, double-check the settings in Rebtel. They often have local dialing options, and sometimes adding credit can help improve connection quality.
Local SIM Card: If you have a friend or family in Australia, they might consider getting a local SIM card, and you could arrange a conferencing call from there.
WhatsApp: While it’s not always ideal for calling 1300 numbers, you might ask the business if they can use WhatsApp for identity verification or offer an alternative means of contact.
Zoom or Other Video Conferencing Tools: If the matter is urgent, consider if your identity verification can be done through a screen share or video call via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar services.
Local VoIP Services: While you’ve mentioned that many services are geo-blocked, sometimes smaller or lesser-known local VoIP providers might have fewer restrictions. Researching forums or community pages specific to your region might yield unique leads.
Contact the 1300 Provider: Some 1300 providers might have specific protocols for international callers. It could be worth reaching out to them via email or chat to see if they can offer a suggested method for connecting.
If all else fails, consider reaching out to your needs through platforms like Reddit or specialized software forums; there are often very knowledgeable users who may have insights into less-known solutions. Good luck!