SaveOnCellPhones.ca

Local, Long Distance and Cost Effective Phone Calls, what is the best combination of services?

In this technological age we have a variety of choices when it comes to making a simple phone call.  We can use our home or office land line, we can use our ultra portable cell phone, or we can make internet based phone calls with programs like Skype.  The challenge is, what should we use and what do we need?

(FYI: Skype is an internet based phone service that uses VOIP, Voice over IP, technology to connect phone calls.  Similar services include Vonage and Google Talk. www.Skype.com, www.vonage.com, www.google.com/talk)

Having all three of these services (Land, Cellular, Skype) can be quite a costly monthly bill, however utilizing a few of these services might actually save you a significant amount of money.  Lets first look at the advantages and disadvantages of each of the services.

Local Land Line:

• Has a local phone number attached to it for people to call
• Relatively inexpensive options at $10 / month
• Medium / High long distance fees ($0.04 to $0.35 /minute)
• No portability, phone line is stuck to your house
• Can use for unlimited local calls at no additional charge
• Has caller ID, Voicemail and call waiting features

Cell Phone

• Has a local phone number attached to it for people to call
• Relatively expensive monthly costs at $40+ / month
• High long distance fees ($0.10 to $0.35 /minute)
• High portability, you can use your phone anywhere in Canada
• Cannot use for unlimited local calls, limited to minutes in plan
• Has caller ID, Voicemail and call waiting features
• Has Email, Internet, can play MP3s, take photos and more.

Skype or VOIP Services

• Does NOT have a local phone number attached (in Canada)
• Very inexpensive monthly costs at $3.00 to $4.00 / month
• Unlimited Usage North America Long Distance included!
• Medium portability, use your Skype ”phone” (laptop) with any WiFi
• Can use for unlimited local calls, anywhere in North America
• Has caller ID, Voicemail and  free calls to other Skype users.
• Includes instant message chat service and many other features.
• Does not have 911 Capabilities. Can’t call 9-1-1 for help.

So what combination of these services make the most sense to use?  Well, I think most of us will agree that it is going to be pretty hard to give up our cell phones and the convenience of their portability, productivity and functionality are too hard to detach from. (Plus, if I recommended you get rid of your cell phone it wouldn’t give me much left to Blog about on this site!)  So lets look at the other two options.  First, Land Lines.  Land lines are relatively inexpensive and they do give a great option for unlimited local calling and a local based phone number.  However, you are fixed to using it at your house and it is quite expensive compared to Skype.  Skype on the other hand is very inexpensive with unlimited North American calling for only $4.00 Cdn a month and gives the added advantage that you can use the service anywhere there is an internet connection.  The downsides to Skype are that you cannot get a local Skype number in Canada (yet), and you have to use an internet connection and computer to connect.

Save On Cell Phones.ca Recommedation:

So what do we recommend at SaveOnCellPhones.ca?  For the price and the portability we recommend the Cell Phone and Skype combination.  By using your cell phone for ultimate portability and for having a local number you can achieve your mobility while still being able to be reached.  With Skype you are able to make unlimited local and long distance calls and have the added benefit of being able to make long distance calls from any internet connection.  Plus with the marginal cost of Skype, it is a no brainer to use this as your Long Distance option.  So, save your long distance calls for when you are at your laptop and use your cell phone to receive all of your incoming local calls and you will be set for all of your calling needs.

If you have any questions about Cell Phones, Land Lines or Skype don’t hesitate to leave a comment.