Free local and international calls with Viber

[reesy1959]

Has anyone used a product on the Iphone or Android called viber?

Just downloaded it and made a call to Turkey free using WIFI.....anyone else used it? As long as who you are calling has the application downloaded to their phone, then its free, and it shows which of your contacts have actually got the application.

[stevew]

Hi reesy,
Looks similar to skype on wifi, skype needs the other contact online to call.
I've downloaded and will have a play................
Steve

[reesy1959]

Its really good Steve, I have been having a play around by calling Ahmet in Turkey and vice versa, free texts too.

[Chocoholic]

Thanks for that, have loaded it on my phone. Trouble is I don't know anyone else with it! Most of my family and friends have old bricks lol!

[reesy1959]

You will need to nag them to upgrade their phones

I will save a fortune phoning Turkey, we are usually on the phone about twice a week, mostly to a mobile which is 18p per minute - more money for Efes

[JT]

Unfortunately no good to me

I use skype from my mobile while I am out if I need to call abroad to mobiles or landlines and this only works viber to viber

[reesy1959]

I also have Skype JT, but then you depend on the other person being online.

We dont phone as many Turkish people as you probably do, so Viber is really good for us.

[JT]

Wrong Mary

Yes you can call skype to Skype and the person has to be on but you can also put moeny on your Skype and call the persons landline or mobiles

Viber works on the same principle as in you both have to be online but you can't top up with money to call phones abroad

[reesy1959]

Being Scottish, I will use the Viber for free

[Katiehutchinson_1991]

aww this sounds good
i make cheap calls to turkey using my landline using dial around
xxxx

[JT]

Can anyone tell me am I missing something here

People keep saying thanks that will be cheaper etc but I can't see how this is set up for calling a mobile or landline

I hope I have missed something

[stevew]

Hi john, VIBER can be used on android, iphone and soon blackberry, it runs in the background on your number, using your data plan, so you can always be contacted here, need to check if it over rides settings when in Turkey, or only comes on when you switch wifi on
Steve

Take a look at http://www.VIBER.com see what you think.

[JT]

Yes Steve I have read all that but what I mean is

I already have Skype installed and all my contacts in the office and some friends also have skype so when I am in UK (like now) the internet is always switched on, on my phone.

I can use Skype to call them Skype to Skype and I can also ring ANY mobile or landline in the world at a few pence per minute

On viber I dont see ANY option to be able to call a mobile or landline, only someone who has viber installed so my question is

What is the point of installing this onto my phone if I then have to get my friends to install it also

Isn't that already covered by Skype

[reesy1959]

It is already covered by Skype JT, but with Viber, as long as you both have it installed, then its totally free and no need for any top ups.

Steve - when I go to Turkey on holiday and as long as I have my date roaming switched off, would I still be able to use Viber free connecting via Wifi? I use an HTC Desire HD phone.

[JT]

Hahahaha crazy woman Mary

Ok I am trying to say........why put this in your phone anyway if you already have skype as it does the same thing

The only reason to put money on skype is to be able to talk to any phone anywhere in the world even if it does not have skype

You cant call ANY phone in the world with viber that doesnt have viber so what is the point of it

[reesy1959]

Crazy man JT - I just find it easier than Skype, even though I use that too.

I also found the connection was clearer - but I use Skype for video calling.

[stevew]

Hi JT and Mary,
The differences as I see them.
Skype can be used to phone "contacts" be it Smart phones or Laptops etc. for a small price you can then phone landlines and standard mobiles. Some will support video calling if they have a front camera.
Viber uses "Numbers" when I installed it, Viber went through my contacts and found 3 of my friends already using it.
Skype needs you to enter a contact ie. BertBloggs234 (excuse me Bert Bloggs)
Viber will run in the background with no extra battery loss.
Not sure about Skype
Mary, in answer to your question, my wife has put Viber on her phone.............it will work WiFi to WiFi, Data to WiFi or WiFi to Data.
It looks like use what ever suits your needs.
Steve

[reesy1959]

Thanks Steve, that will be handy in Icmeler