Comments on: Truphone challenges Skype for VoIP calls

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 10:27:28 +0000

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By: JThompson

JThompson — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 16:01:18 +0000

For a US based user, initiation of this service for use in the UK was easy and service was good. However, when you “unlock” your phone from the US carrier, you will incur a hefty early termination fee (mine was $350). Costs with Tru service are lower than US carrier’s roaming charges while in the UK and Ireland.
The problem begins with the end of your time with Tru. The week before re-entering the US, Tru customer service told me that once back in the US, when the phone was turned back on, it would automatically find the T-mobile signal and reconnect. It didn’t. After 2 calls to support, they said that my original US carrier still had software on the completely unlocked phone that was “preventing any other carrier from providing service”. I still had $75 worth of service that I had loaded into my Tru account, so I asked for a refund. They said “no”. I presented my case a second time…they said “no” again. Two weeks after stopping all service with Tru, they charged my credit card the monthly rate to have a local # in whatever country that your service was in ($8). I had already stopped this…twice, with the other Tru reps that I talked with upon re-entry to the US.
Also, whenever they try to contact you by phone, their # shows up as “blocked” or “unknown” so you have no way of knowing that it is them calling. Sometimes, but not always, they will email you.
I would not use this service again. For any amount of time more than 2-3 weeks, I would just buy a local, pay as you go phone.

By: Skype iPhone App Review | appbite.com

Skype iPhone App Review | appbite.com — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:50:06 +0000

[...] main provider of VoIP services worldwide, even with its close competitor offering similar services Truphone. While Skype wanted to maintain a certain level of consistency across all platforms, the [...]

By: TJ

TJ — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:26:50 +0000

I use both applications on iPod Touch from the USA. Here is a more apples to apples comparison on price.

skype subscriptions are US$2.95/month for Unlimited USA/Canada; US$5.95 Unlimited Country (pick your country); and US$12.95 Unlimited World (40+ countries). skype calls ala carte to USA are US$0.021 per minute.

Truphone standard rates to USA is US$0.051 per minute; using TruSaver US$0.021 per minute with US$4.00 per month subscription; TruUnlimited is US$17.00 month for unlimited calls to USA.

Lots of numbers. Besides price one must look at quality of calls. This is up to the individual and the network they are using.

Both are good on quality. Next one must look at IM. Truphone incorporates the major IM networks within itself.

My recommendation is to try out both services. Find out where they excel for you. Keep both because you never know when one will fail when you need to make a call.

By: Heath

Heath — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:17:58 +0000

One more thing – it is 5.1c a minute, rather than 51c a minute, to call the USA.

By: Heath

Heath — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:47:15 +0000

Cut one of my sentences off early…

Was meant to say ‘Just a couple of things that I need to correct you on though, so as not to give your readers any false information’

By: Heath

Heath — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:46:06 +0000

Great post. Thanks for doing the comparison, and we do think we have a lot to offer in our app that Skype simply can’t match.

Just a couple of things that I need to correct you on though, so as not to give your readers.

1. Truphone 3.0 for the iPhone DOES work when not connected to Wi-Fi, but as you correctly state, not with 3G as this is not allowed by Apple. The app works when out of Wi-Fi by using our Truphone Anywhere technology (http://www.truphone.com/pricing/truphone_anywhere.html) to route the call over the internet using the local GSM network of the user.

2. You mention that new sign-ups get ‘5 bucks’ starting call credit, which would be nice, but isn’t correct. We give 50c call credit, which is enough for a good-length international phone call to experience Truphone’s call quality.

Once again, great post, and I hope all your readers give Truphone a try.

Kind Regards,

Heath from Truphone