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My plan is to buy a Blackberry or Android phone in the Sprint Store and to download skype on it so I can make calls while in CR.

I just got back from the Sprint and Verizon Store.

Sprint:

Said that I wold need to connect through WIFI and there may be additional international charges. He suggested that I unlock the phone.

Verizon:

Said that I could use Skype on their Worldwide Phones. I could use Skype in Bogota and Medellin, but since Verizon is on a CDMA network it would not work in CR which is on another network, I forgot which one. Therefore he said I could call in CR, but Verizon rates would apply.

Sounds like the easiest thing to do is what has been discussed countless times. Unlock your phone and buy a SIM card.
From reading the Skype site it sounded like I could just use their app and their rates would apply regardless of what country I was located in. Oh well.

Chicken and egg... You can use Skype to do VOIP on the Internet, but you have to get connected to the Internet in the first place... Cellular devices can access the internet, but not in their native transport protocol... Just because a device can access a platform, it doesn't mean there are protocols in place to handle the traffic... Cell phones create an internet session by tunneling to a gateway... You have to have a cellular provider who can register your SIM before you can do VOIP via Skype...

I thought you could use Skype on the I-pod Touch. It is supposed to have the capabilities for Skype communication if you have access to WiFi.

Author:	1life2live [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:04 pm ]
Post subject:	SKYPE
I have read the discussions on unlocking a cell phone and buying a sim card in CR to call others. My question is this: If I buy a 3G phone and download Skype will I be able to: 1) dial and receive calls in CR 2) dial and receive calls from the USA All at the Skype rates. On the Skype website I only see rates when calling from the USA. I am asking this because I do not want to pay the large fees that the USA wireless providers charge. Thanks for the info.

Author:	TexasNVegas [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:30 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
Skype requires a internet connection. If I understand you correctly: Is your plan to use a hacked cell phone to get on the internet and then make a 'free' call?

Author:	1life2live [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
My plan is to buy a Blackberry or Android phone in the Sprint Store and to download skype on it so I can make calls while in CR.

Author:	JerseyJoe [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
1life2live wrote: My plan is to buy a Blackberry or Android phone in the Sprint Store and to download skype on it so I can make calls while in CR. I have used Skype w/ my I-phone at both the Sportsman's lodge and Amistad at it worked great. I need wifi and remember to shut off your cellular signal once in country.

Author:	1life2live [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
I just got back from the Sprint and Verizon Store. Sprint: Said that I wold need to connect through WIFI and there may be additional international charges. He suggested that I unlock the phone. Verizon: Said that I could use Skype on their Worldwide Phones. I could use Skype in Bogota and Medellin, but since Verizon is on a CDMA network it would not work in CR which is on another network, I forgot which one. Therefore he said I could call in CR, but Verizon rates would apply. Sounds like the easiest thing to do is what has been discussed countless times. Unlock your phone and buy a SIM card. From reading the Skype site it sounded like I could just use their app and their rates would apply regardless of what country I was located in. Oh well.

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SKYPE https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36375	Page 1 of 2

Author:	PlaneCrazy [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
On my next trip I am thinking about buying an unlocked GSM phone on ebay and then just getting a SIM card in SJO... but that is to keep in touch with the ladies. I'm not sure many people realize this, but the La Amistad and the HDR (iirc) both use VoIP phone systems and therefore you can make calls to anywhere in Canada /United States for no charge.

Author:	Planenutz69 [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
1life2live wrote: My plan is to buy a Blackberry or Android phone in the Sprint Store and to download skype on it so I can make calls while in CR. Skype mobile will only run on I-Phones or VERIZON Droid phones. I have a Samsung Epic (droid) from Sprint and can not run Skype. Verizon and Skype have an exclusive agreement that Skype will only work on Verizon Droid phones. If someone knows a workaround please let me know. My solution right now is using Google voice. Google voice from the USA to CR cell phones is .06 cents per min. Which is less than the .08 or .09 cents I've been spending on Skype(laptop) to CR cellphones. You have to have a internet connection thru Wi-Fi or your Phone company to use Skype or Google voice.

Author:	Zeos [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
1life2live wrote: I just got back from the Sprint and Verizon Store. Sprint: Said that I wold need to connect through WIFI and there may be additional international charges. He suggested that I unlock the phone. Verizon: Said that I could use Skype on their Worldwide Phones. I could use Skype in Bogota and Medellin, but since Verizon is on a CDMA network it would not work in CR which is on another network, I forgot which one. Therefore he said I could call in CR, but Verizon rates would apply. Sounds like the easiest thing to do is what has been discussed countless times. Unlock your phone and buy a SIM card. From reading the Skype site it sounded like I could just use their app and their rates would apply regardless of what country I was located in. Oh well. I can't see how this could be true. Skype is internet. So if your phone can connect to the internet you can use Skype. If you are not signed in to a network then you can't. Exactly like a computer...you may need to enter key for your local wireless network, etc.

Author:	CRGolfer [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
[/quote]I can't see how this could be true. Skype is internet. So if your phone can connect to the internet you can use Skype. If you are not signed in to a network then you can't. Exactly like a computer...you may need to enter key for your local wireless network, etc.[/quote] Skypye is not compatable with all makes and models of smartphones. While it is true that you connect through the internet it does not do much good if you are connected to the internet if there is no program for skype that will work on your phone. My suggestion to the original poster.... check the skype FAQ page and list of compatible devices.

Author:	Lennydo [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
Once again Verizon is acting like a BIG shot bully. Skype will in fact work on the Droid phones (I have a Droidx) in the US but just on the Verizon network. It won't work on WiFi or in CR. Bless Verizon's sweet little heart for making Skype agree to such a deal. ALSO , Sprint, like Verizon uses CDMA technology which is not available in CR. In CR only GSM is relevant. TDMA exisits, but no lines are available. The SIM cards at the airport and thru ICE are only GSM technology, so you need a "Quad Mode Unlocked GSM phone" that will work in the USA on T-Mobile. If it works on T-Mobile, it will likely work in CR. I purchased a used (see Craiglist) unlocked 3gs 8gb iphone for $200 and it works fine in CR. The SIM card from ICE includes data and they will set it up for you before you leave the airport. SKype on the iphone will work on WiFi in CR so that you can use it just like you do in the US. You can also use the iphone in the US if you activate it on T-Mobile's prepaid plan and then you will have an extra phone to call and text with putas in the US. Just saying.

Author:	JazzboCR [ Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
Another option is MagicJack though you'd need a computer and headset/handset: www.magicjack.com Many hotels have both services and maybe equipment available for customers--just ask.

Author:	Muadib [ Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
Chicken and egg... You can use Skype to do VOIP on the Internet, but you have to get connected to the Internet in the first place... Cellular devices can access the internet, but not in their native transport protocol... Just because a device can access a platform, it doesn't mean there are protocols in place to handle the traffic... Cell phones create an internet session by tunneling to a gateway... You have to have a cellular provider who can register your SIM before you can do VOIP via Skype...

Author:	Zeos [ Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
Muadib wrote: Chicken and egg... You can use Skype to do VOIP on the Internet, but you have to get connected to the Internet in the first place... Cellular devices can access the internet, but not in their native transport protocol... Just because a device can access a platform, it doesn't mean there are protocols in place to handle the traffic... Cell phones create an internet session by tunneling to a gateway... You have to have a cellular provider who can register your SIM before you can do VOIP via Skype... Good to know...and great explanation. Thanks. Internet is not always just internet.

Author:	DiegoC [ Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
I thought you could use Skype on the I-pod Touch. It is supposed to have the capabilities for Skype communication if you have access to WiFi.

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Author:	San Te [ Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: SKYPE
DiegoC wrote: I thought you could use Skype on the I-pod Touch. It is supposed to have the capabilities for Skype communication if you have access to WiFi. You can, you just need the headphone set with a microphone.