Phone service in Ukraine

[rjd400]

The gal I have been corresponding with via email and online chatting for a few weeks and I have finally started to talk over the phone for the last couple of days.  But two things I've found, thought maybe someone could give some thoughts or advice...

- Connection clarity is hit or miss.  Today it was pretty clear.  Yesterday I couldn't hear what she was saying.  I use a calling card (sometimes from my cell, sometimes from a land line) to call her (her cell phone).  Is this the norm?  Also, are dropped calls common?

- When I call sometimes, it will ring for a long time and nothing.  I'll hang up and continue to try every so often, and eventually, I'll get her.  She said this was a connection issue.  Is that common?

Thanks.

[Johnny2009]

Can you not use Skype to Skype calls? Normally the connection is ok to very good!! And if you both have internet connection, its free. Or you pay for calls to her landline or mobile which is still really cheap!

Give it a try.

Regards

[Fogged]

Yes, I experience the same issues with calling cards when calling my wife. Sometimes it's clear and other times, you have to strain your ear drums to hear the other end. It is a connection thing.

The best success I have calling is using Skype. Calls seldom get dropped and the sound is always clear.

[Shadow]

It was a long time ago I used, but Skype did give changing results as well.
One day clear, the other day impossible to talk without delay.

This depends on how much the line is used, so best to find a time slot when people in Ukraine are not using their phone a lot.

[Mars]

With Skype, the best results are when BOTH parties have high speed connection; not dial up.
Many people have internet connection at home now in FSU, but fewer have high speed connection.
So it is misleading to blithely give these suggestions of using Skype. 

Also, many in FSU who do have high speed connection pay for their specific minutes of interet connection time rather than a flat monthly rate for unlimited usage as in USA.  So your using Skype to call her in FSU may merely
switch the cost from you to her.

Also, if you use Skype on your end and call a mobile or land line in FSU; it is not cheap.
Usually the Skype rate is higher than the calling cards rate.

I have used many calling cards and have focused in now on using the cards from
www.phonecardonsale.com    And I have had best luck in using the NewSuperDial card.
About 13.5 cents min to call Ukraine. 

But I think there are many variables regarding your phone line, and the other person's phone line; so what works best for one person may not work best for another.

[Shadow]

Mars, I have to disagree with you here.

http://www.skype.com/prices/callrates/cheap-calls-to-ukraine/
Destination     Prefix(es)     Price excl. VAT     Price incl. VAT
Ukraine    380    € 0.109    € 0.125
Ukraine-Kiev    38044    € 0.109    € 0.125
Ukraine-Lviv    38032    € 0.109    € 0.125
Ukraine - Mobile    38050    € 0.151    € 0.174

Destination     Prefix(es)     Price excl. VAT     Price incl. VAT
Russia      7071    € 0.039    € 0.045
Russia - Mobile    7997    € 0.055    € 0.063
Russia-Moscow    7095    € 0.017    € 0.020
Russia-St Petersburg    7812    € 0.017    € 0.020

There are calling cards that beat the price, but the rates are not exactly high.
As for costs of internet, I do agree that there still are many dial-up or pay-by-Mb connections that can be costly for the women. So before asking skype-skype calls, check what kind of connection she has.

Oh and also check your local operator. My current internet/phone provider charges € 0.020 for calls to Moscow...

[Mars]

OK, I see your point that Skype calls to Russia are not that expensive.
But to Ukraine, the Skype calls are higher than with calling cards.

[rjd400]

Just wanted to do a follow  up to be fair to the country...

I had been using a couple of different calling cards, from both my landline and my cell phone (to her phone) and I don't think we had one decent call.  That was the main reason for my bad connection I think.

Yesterday I decided to call direct from my cell phone to hers, and bam!  Clear as a crystal.  Again today clear connections.  Unfortunately, the call did get disconnected after about 20 minutes.  But it was nice to finally have a clear call. 

Texting via cell phone seems to be pretty quick as well.  I was surprised.  For some reason, I didn't think we were going to be able to text via cell phone.

[Brianinaz]

Did you check the rate s for international calls direct from your mobile phone? Depending on your carrier they may be very high.

I found the quality of Skype to mobile to be better than any card I used and very close in cost.

[rjd400]

Brian,
Actually, I knew it would be higher, but didn't look until after we had talked about an hour.  Right now its about 1.50 a min.  Needless to say I'm calling verizon tomorrow to add the international value plan which should bring it down to about .30
I knew it wasn't going to be cheap, but I just wanted to have a nice, clear talk.

[Boethius]

We use a good old fashioned land line.  No problems, 12 cents a minute.

[OlgaH]

I have been using Union Telecard to call to Russia for three years and I have never had any problems. When I call on my relatives and friends' cell phones the incoming calls for them are free.

[rjd400]

Well, I have to actually give Verizon credit.  I signed up for their "long distance value" package today.  It's $3.99 a month, and then the per minute rate.  The rates are much lower than the standard (I think Ukraine is about .30) Though not as cheap as a calling card card.

But I'm willing to pay to actually have a clear conversation.

But the credit is because I asked the lady if they could make it retroactive, since I made quite a few calls over the weekend.  I was half kidding.  Sure enough, they'll do it (I'll have to pay the $3.99 for the last month bill, but it's worth it).

[ECOCKS]

We use a good old fashioned land line.  No problems, 12 cents a minute.

Ditto on landlines although we have found Skype-Skype to be near-perfect to reasonably-sized cities for a maximum of $50 per month on their end. I haven't made any calls to a landline via the Skype system (never had a need), so it's always free. Another reason to stick close to the larger cities for those who needed more justification.

For some reason, it seems impossible to get even family to understand that leaving the Internet connection up would virtually eliminate long distance calls and allow conversation any time people are in the Ukraine apartments and we're adjacent to Internet connections (which is almost always within 20-30 minutes if we need it).  When my wife was still over there, she left it on almost 24/7 and it was great, no significant phone bills. Now they only turn on the PC and activate Skype if we send a letter a day or two before the call. Otherwise, we have to ring their cells or do a landline call and get them to turn it on or click the icon.

As best I can tell, this has something to do with the perception that the PC is going to blow up or something, ah well.

We did pick up a couple of calling cards with maximum Ukraine rates of either .07 or .072 cents a minute with 1 minute increment charges. No idea on the quality yet but I wanted my wife to be able to call from any phone for those rare times we are not near an Internet-connected PC or in case there is a sudden emergency.

[HiTech]

Skype - Skype with DSL in Ukraine or via Net Cafe is by far the best way to go in both clarity and expense.

2nd is Skype to phone. As apposed to calling cards it is far more reliable to Ukraine.

HiTech

[Taz]

Best thing about Skype is VIDEO!!!

[ECOCKS]

Best thing about Skype is that it is free. Personally, I like the interface and find it's features pretty easy-to-use.

Whatever works for you though, the important thing is to become familiar and keep an address book up-to-date.

Unfortunately, to Skype requires a PC. Since we don't use it for PC-to-landline calls the ability to video with overseas family and frineds has been great.

We carry the cards for those emergencies while traveling or just too awkward to pull out the PC and search down a free wi-fi spot. Probably going to grab some more for just that reason.

[ScottinCrimea]

I've spent a lot of time finding the best deal. Of course skype to skype is the best, but the other end has to have a reasonable connection and be online at the same time.  A while back we started using speedypin.com, specificaloly the saphire card.  I found it to have the best rates with the least conditions.  I've continued to look for cards with a better deal but have yet to find one. Unfortunately, it is no longer actively advertised on their site so you have to do a search to find this particular card. The connection is as good or better than any other cards.  You do get the occasional ionability to connect or poor quality, but generally better than with other cards.  It is more related to the Ukrainian network than the card itself.

[GlobalEuphoria]

Helpful phone services from and to Russia/Ukraine ....

Jaxtr --- free for her to call, low rates for you
http://www.jaxtr.com/user/index.jsp

Tel3 --- decent clarity, great rates
http://www.tel3advantage.com/content/triple.jsp?agentnumber=125958&countryid=201

Startec --- competitive prices and service to Tel3
http://www.startec.com/US/EN/default.jsp

Daily updated rates for calling cards ---
http://www.callingsuperstore.com/seattle/

Above link in Russian ---
http://www.russianseattle.com/bestcard/index.htm

When skype won't do, go w/ Magic Jack ---
http://www.magicjack.com/4/customercare.asp

Want to call her w/ Skype but not sure if she is worth $$ or your trust, use Skype trick :

[HazyKnight]

Helpful phone services from and to Russia/Ukraine ....

Jaxtr --- free for her to call, low rates for you
http://www.jaxtr.com/user/index.jsp

Tel3 --- decent clarity, great rates
http://www.tel3advantage.com/content/triple.jsp?agentnumber=125958&countryid=201

Startec --- competitive prices and service to Tel3
http://www.startec.com/US/EN/default.jsp

Daily updated rates for calling cards ---
http://www.callingsuperstore.com/seattle/

Above link in Russian ---
http://www.russianseattle.com/bestcard/index.htm

When skype won't do, go w/ Magic Jack ---
http://www.magicjack.com/4/customercare.asp

Want to call her w/ Skype but not sure if she is worth $$ or your trust, use Skype trick :

Wow!!!! That is some good information there!!! Thanks! I'm trying some of those today.

1. I looked for "Saphire Card" on SpeedyPin... it doesn't exist anymore.

2. I think Skype figured it out, because I followed the boys directions in the youtube video to a "T" and was blocked with "no skype credit."

Next stop... magic jack.