This is an expat question specific to Korea. It seems that the Korean government restricts VOIP calls in a way that breaks Google Voice if you have a Korean SIM in your phone. Does anyone know of another way to call US business numbers (not toll free). Business is important; no Hangouts or messaging apps.
I’ll add Skype credits if I must but I was hoping for a free solution as I’ve been spoiled by GV prior to Korea.
If you have a Korean phone
Call the number 02-1688-5959
After she speaks Korean type 1-area code-number
Just charges you as a local call. Aka minutes only are used if you even have a set number.
I have used this number to call America for 7 years. All cell phones, home phones work. Most 800 numbers work too, but not all. In that case - I check that they have a local international number. For instance, Wells Fargo has a special number for KT that I use - no fees.
Or I just get a Skype credit and 10$ lasts me a LONG time for casual random calls.
I ported my US cell phone number to Google Voice before moving to Korea. I use my US Google Voice phone number to call out to the US all the time for free on Android using the Google Hangouts app, along with having the Hangouts Dialer app installed. I used to use an iPhone and believe you’re able to call out on the Hangouts app there as well. You will need to use +1 for all US bound calls, and will need the +1 in your contacts to receive SMS receiver information correctly.
Edit: Don’t even bother installing the Google Voice app. Stick to Hangouts and you should be fine.
I have a US Skype number that forwards to my mobile.
I have a subscription that’s 35€ per quarter. I can call lots* of different places, including US 1-800 numbers.
*Notable exceptions are UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Aways used google voice from computer. Had to pay, but pretty cheap
SK Free Call is an app that’s free (or just uses local minutes if that’s a thing for you) for all landlines and cell phones in the US, and cheap or free for many other countries also.
You don’t need to have SK service to use it either. Worked fine on my phone with both KT and LG service.
Skype calls internationally is decent, don’t know if that works on a phone but you could do it from your computer.
On my PC, I use google phone (or whatever it is called) through gmail. On my phone, I use skype credits.
If you install and use a VPN on your phone it will get around the VoIP call block. If you have to add skype credi, remember to use your VPN to add skype credit. If you access the skype web site in Korea it re-directs you to daesung skype.
I use magicjack. It’s $50 for a whole year and works like a charm.
Does the phone number you call from matter a lot? I use the Viber app, you can call landlines as well for something like 2c a minute. I’ve been using the money I get from Google surveys to call the US all year.
There are apps that will give you a us number and you can make unlimited calls to the us for free. The one I use is talkatone. Something like that. 100% free.
Interesting! I’ll try it.
Skype credits are the last resort. Unfortunately this is just a couple of phone calls but they might be long dealing with banking and insurance matters for property in the States.
I second this. It used to actually cost money because it converted local minutes to international minutes, but since everyone has unlimited talk time anymore, it’s free calling. I’ve used it for calling overseas for about ten years. I’ve never had a problem.
hmm… What is the number though? Like a service or a govt thing?
I second this. Once you have your Google voice number linked to a legit US number one time, then you can unlink that number and continue using Google voice. Been doing it this way for years. Incredibly convenient.
I have tried that. I have GV linked to a US number. Worked beautifully via GV app, my phone’s dialer, and Hangouts until I put in the Korean SIM. Now it says GV is not supported in Korea. Hangouts can still call my contacts but an attempt to call a business number via Hangouts dialer failed (send a link and have this person install Hangouts).
This is exactly my setup too and it works amazing.
Other good find. I’ll look into it. A quick search doesn’t show an app with that name in Android.
You can use the hangouts dailer on your phone. Same as the computer.