Need some options: Moving to Korea

[Sendarie]

Ok you guys know a helluva lot more about communictions options than I ever will.

In a couple months I'm moving to Korea and will be separated from my wife/family for 12 months.

In the way of phone comm's using calling cards etc is ridiculously expensive. I'm looking for some way to stay in contact with my family. Its a long known fact of military life that during these situations staying in touch is the way to keep things running smoothly.

I'm looking for some way to keep voice comms going as well as a separate but less used video options.
I will have available a DSL connection in my room (no cable avail).

Are there any cell phone options that arent astronomical in price?
Thanks guys.

[Winnow]

I would suggest looking into a VOIP setup.

You use normal telephones hooked into the internet via a little VOIP box.

Short for Voice over Internet Protocol, a category of hardware and software that enables people to use the Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls by sending voice data in packets using IP rather than by traditional circuit transmissions of the PSTN. One advantage of VoIP is that the telephone calls over the Internet do not incur a surcharge beyond what the user is paying for Internet access, much in the same way that the user doesn't pay for sending individual e-mails over the Internet.

[Mr Bacon]

I'm making a small presentation on VoIP tonight.. you can have my notes!

I’m doing Voice over IP and for that don’t know, that’s basically using a phone over the internet as opposed to phone lines. Also, it can be used on an internal network, for offices or mansions, etc.

• 1 Technical details
• 1.1 Implementation challenges
A major problem with VOIP is the fact that it doesn’t necessarily provide the data packets in a sequential order, so sometimes there’s problems with latency. So for example there could be a few seconds in delay before your message is received by the other line.
There’s also problems like getting passed firewalls on a network. To get around this, some networks use a Session Border Control which acts as a relay. The control acts like the phone called and makes another call to the intended phone. There’s also programs that work from the computer like Skype, which is just a peer to peer calling program, and relies on the users to transfer data.
• 1.2 Protocols
• 2 Advantages
• 2.1 Cost
Money is always a big deal – and a major advantage of VOIP is the fact that is costs less than traditional phone services. This is mainly due to the fact that it’s really not that popular on the market yet, and the fact that you’re using your internet connection which you’re already paying for, as opposed to a phone bill. Since you can theoretically call anywhere, and you’re already paying for the connection, calls are “free” – even long distance.
Functionality
Incoming calls can be routed to your VOIP phone, regardless of where you’re connected. So if you go on trip, and take your VOIP phone with you, the number stays with you.
• 3 Drawbacks
• 3.1 Reliability
Phones without power cords are powered through their phone lines, so you can use them during a power outage. VOIP phones use broadband modems which require power, rendering them useless during an outage.
When your network is congested or running slowly, you will notice it on a VOIP phone, and there will be drop outs and latency issues.
• 3.2 Emergency calls
If you make an emergency call, you have to give an address or emergency services will have a hard time locating you. The government is trying to require voip providers to have 911 service but they are rejecting it. There’s a few workarounds, like having a local emergency number on speed dial
• 3.3 Integration into global telephone number system

• 3.4 Single point of calling
• 3.5 Mobile phones
• 4 Adoption
• 4.1 Mass-market telephony

A lot of phone companies are starting to use voip, I’m sure most of you have seen commercials for Vonage. Cablevision, broadvoice, time warner cable, speakeasy, Comcast, verizon, packet8, lingo, sunrocket, and TGLO all use IP to offer unlimited calling in the US or in selected countries like Europe or Asia for a flat fee. They also offer the single number anywhere idea.
• 4.2 Corporate and telco use

[Kelshara]

Vonage.

[Sendarie]

Ok I apologize I didnt provide all the information.

I will be living in Korea and my wife will be in Iceland.

K.... go.

From what I can tell Vonage uses Voip right? And is not offered outside of North America or the UK?

[Kelshara]

You can both get a Vonage number with a local number here in the US. Doesn't matter where in the world you hook it up as long as you got a broadband connection. This will allow you both to do unlimited calls for a set amount each month.

[Sendarie]

I'm reading on their website and it lists Korea as .06$ per minute.

Am I missing an unlimited plan that covers overseas somewhere?

[Kelshara]

There is none and you don't need it. That cost is from your US number to a Korean number. If you both get a Vonage adapter with US numbers you will be calling for free

You can be in Korea and have an US phone number.

[Sendarie]

Got it thanks.

[Diae Soulmender]

If you are looking purely for the ability to speak to one another you might try just setting up a Team Speak Server.

Its 100% free.

The draw back here is you would have to have pre-made plans on when you would speak to one another since you dont actually "call".

Just a thought man.

PEACE!

[Sendarie]

I'm not even looking for like crazy cheap I'm ok paying some. Ideally some sort of cellular setup would be nice but the rates from what I'v found are unreal.

Best bet so far is looking like Vonage.

Any other suggestions?

[Kelshara]

Skype is also possible.

[Mr Bacon]

Google Talk, but like Skype, you both use the computer for it.

[noel]

My brother in-law is constantly travelling all over the Pacific rim, and uses Skype for all of his communication needs. My wife's parents live in Taiwan, but we got them a vonage kit with a US number so we call them by making a local call.

Skype has a lot of great options like voicemail, call forwarding, etc. I'd definitely consider Skype first before Vonage, just because there's a slightly lower level of complexity.

Think of it this way. Once you have either the vonage or skype solution set up, the only real difference is whether or not you can jack in a phone to the device. If you want to use a nice cordless phone, vonage might make more sense, if you don't mind using your laptop and a headset, Skype is basically free, but you can pay to make it as fully featured as you like.

As an aside, if you don't mind using the laptop, MSN instant messenger's video chat works great as well.

[Kelshara]

I will actually be working from Europe quite a bit so I am setting up a Vonage account with a local number here. Allows me to make any calls I need in the US for free and also for people to call me for free. Perfect sollution for me.

I used Skype for a while as well, not bad at all but you do require the computer and a headset. Not bad sound though.