Nickname: JohnD

Review: I've been using Tel3Advantage for over 2 years, mainly to Mediterranean countries. Absolutely no problem connecting, clear voices and no overcharges. Online account management is great.

Date reviewed: Jan 2, 2009 10:07 PM

Nickname: lamby

Review: Tel 3 is a gimmick! Connectivity overseas stinks. The previos writer is correct, it's simply a calling card service -- similar to cards you get at the gas station. Consistently I try to dial a number 4-5 times and the call does not go thru. And, customer service will not give refunds. I'm going back to AT&T. At least the connectivity works.

Date reviewed: Nov 11, 2008 5:20 PM

Nickname: Pavel Z

Review: I just want to say that nothing beats SkypeOut. And most certainly, Tel3Advantage doesn't beat it. Moreover, Tel3 sucks big time. Do not buy into their promise of low rates. This service is simply not functioning, like a badly developed piece of software. They say you won't have to enter account number and pin if calling from your primary phone? A lie right here! This simply doesn't work. It's like another calling card. But with a bad connectivity. Any Eastern European country is just impossible to call. It won't connect. Better yet, it will deduct minutes for calls that weren't connected. Want to learn about Tel3's customer service. Their guys have an accent so thick you don't understand them - and you wonder if they understand you. A bunch of promises "to make it work within 24 hours" - never to be fulfilled. When you demand a refund, they'll say service is nonrefundable. They will not issue a refund for the minutes deducted on unconnected calls. It took Tel3 to love SkypeOut.

Date reviewed: Sep 4, 2007 5:00 PM

Nickname: Peter Bradshaw

Review: You didn't mention the best deal I have found for calling from the US to anywhere. Tel3Advantage (and I suspect others) have a local number I call free from my landline (or from a cell phone), and I then call any number anywhere at Skype-like rates (1.9c to US, 2.5c to UK, 5c to Czech Republic, etc.). Prepaid, but no monthly fee. Except for free local calls (or free long-distance on my cell phone), and longer Zone 3 calls, this is the cheapest way I know from a standard phone connection. Have saved $100s over the last year.

Date reviewed: Jun 8, 2006 9:25 PM

Nickname: Song

Review: Hello, you forgot to mention hybrid services that allow you to use a mobile phone to leverage the connection on your desktop PC. One of the leaders is our company, SoonR. With our recent release of SoonR Talk and Skype's free calling in the US and Canada, you can access Skype on any mobile phone with an Internet connection free from additional charges. It basically becomes possible to call internationally for free. (www.soonr.com)

Date reviewed: May 30, 2006 11:21 PM

Nickname: Mer

Review: As for the pay-as-you go phones, we used TracFones for a couple of years now with absolutely no problem. But they're best for calls in your local area. International calls cost extra.

Date reviewed: May 23, 2006 7:11 PM

Nickname: Philip Remek, CFA

Review: A well-researched, well-written article. As a follow-up, consider comparing the many P2P VoIP services springing up (of which Skype is the best-known), plus the IM-linked offerings from AOL, Google, MSN, and Yahoo. Don't forget RadioShack and eBay for VoIP accessories: a stereo headset with separate mic and headphone 1/8" jacks is $20 at RadioShack. I use it with Skype when on the road. RadioShack has an agreement with eBay to distribute Skype accessories at over 7,000 of its stores as eBay makes a big marketing push in the U.S. this year. I expect a wave of VoIP hardware and accessories to become available this year, which will help make the experience more consumer-friendly. Consider the new Philips cordless phone. Philip Remek, CFA Sr. Equity Analyst- Media & Internet Guzman & Company

Date reviewed: May 23, 2006 3:32 PM

Nickname: swg

Review: Skype offers a chat that for me works far better than instant messanger as I can supplement my call with "cut and paste" information and web sites that is often difficult to say over any telephone. Then often when on a skype call I can send back a typed message to someone trying to reach me that I will call back. I live overseas and find increasing that I depend on skpye and find its services excellent and dependable.

Date reviewed: May 23, 2006 9:42 AM

Nickname: joe

Review: You guys forgot to mention Jajah.com, which basically competes against phone cards.

Date reviewed: May 23, 2006 2:06 AM

Nickname: Ted

Review: I do a fair bit of international travel and as for phone cards (#7), I've learned not to buy them anywhere but in the country I'm going to be calling from. On two occasions I bought cards ahead via the Net that didn't work when I got there. In addition, the kiosks and telecom shops where you'll be calling from know which are the best cards, both cheapest and most reliable. Some of the bargain ones require a specific brand of public phone and for sure, you won't find one when you need it.

Date reviewed: May 22, 2006 3:44 PM