VOIP in Iraq: Skype, Yahoo Phone, or what???

Question

I'm going back to Iraq soon and I want to try another pc based phone service. The internet connection over there is usually not very good, but it can have some good spells. Last time I used a service called "PC Phone." It was ok and I could receive calls or make calls to a land line phone for a decent price.

How does SKYPE and Yahoo's phone service compair in terms of QUALITY & RELIABILITY? Is there a better pc based service that is better and in the same price range?

If you were in Iraq and used a particular service, good or bad, let me know.

Thanks.

Answer 1

the best way to do it now is with MagicJack!


I have 4 family members who use it!!!

we used skype and yahoo before, but this little gizmo, called the skype killer is really the best! there is a one time fee of 39.99 and 19.99 per year thereafter!!!

it looks like a thumb drive and you just plug it into the USB drive.....after you're done, remove it and take it with you!

Answer 2

Please understand that NO phone company that uses the Internet for transport can assure quality voice delivery. The general Internet does not have the means to provide packet priority to voice packets over other packets. Whenever congestion develops, packets are delayed or lost. While this is acceptable for data it is a disaster for voice.

All of the carriers who use the Internet for transport claim the problem is an improper LAN on your end or an undersized internet source on your end or a codex that compresses too much or both as the fault. While you may be able to get a larger Internet port and perhaps use a better codex and definitely install QoS equipment on your LAN, the basic problem of priority packet processing along the Internet is not resolved and problems are likely to be seen.

I wish all services who use the general Internet for transport would be mature enough to state this but they are out to convince you they offer a bargain service that has quality equivalent to the conventional and more costly carriers. This just is NOT the case.

Answer 3

My husband is in Iraq and we use the Yahoo service. It works just fine most of the time. We can call PC to PC or PC to land line. I also like that his Yahoo number has a local area code and I can call him as well. We've never tried Skype, so I can't give you a comparison.

Answer 4

I personally think Skype is great. I've used it in Tel aviv and it sounded like they were next door. It's also free if the other computer has Skype and very cheap to call land lines or cell phones.

Answer 5

I use Skype.I speak to cousins in Cayman island and Sweden at the same time. I am in the U.S. You can speak as to many people you want at the same time. It is neat. I've tried Yahoo but it sounds as if the person is under water or something and they say I sound like a baby.