I recently wrote about setting up US and UK numbers for incoming calls even if you’re located outside of these countries, and judging from the hits (almost frontpage DUGG–entry was buried, though, because my site got fried due to the DIGG effect), there seems to be much interest. Hey, it’s free after all. The process basically includes signing up for a SIP (VoIP) account with Free World Dialup, installing an FWD client, and then signing up with IPKall and CallUK for US and UK numbers to redirect to your FWD account.
But here’s something more interesting. Remember that Skype is offering free calls to any mobile and landline within the US and Canada if and only if you’re located within these countries?
If youâre in the US or Canada, you can use SkypeOut to call any landline or mobile number in both the USA and Canada for free.
If youâre in the US or Canada and calling any other country, OR if youâre in any other country and calling landline or mobile numbers in the US or Canada, the standard SkypeOut rates apply.
Of course, Skype still does allow free calls to 1-800 numbers from anywhere. But the moment you try calling a non toll-free number, you will get the standard “SkypeOut credits needed” message (if you don’t have enough).
There’s actually a workaround that lets you call the US and Canada free no matter where you are–and it’s so simple I can’t believe I didn’t realize it before. Use a VPN!
If you’re located in Europe, Asia, or anywhere for that matter, you can tunnel into a US- or Canada-based server and go online with Skype and Skype’s servers will think you’re calling from the US or Canada. You get to enjoy free international calls!
No VPN? Fret not. You can use iPIG, which has a free VPN software and has servers running on US territory. iPIG is actually meant for secure connections from any unsecure point of connection (such as a public WiFi hotspot). The basic concept is tunnelling using an encrypted connection thru their servers. Just the thing we needed!
How do I do it?
First, download and run the iPIG client.
Make sure iPIG is connected. The software usually says “Driver transparent” if it’s disconnected. If this is the case, click the “iPIG On” button to connect.
Once connected to the iPIG server, launch and connect Skype (download here if you don’t have a copy yet). You will notice that the flag beside the telephone number/Skype name entry box is an American flag (this changes according to the country your IP address is associated with).
Now start dialling US and Canada mobile and landline numbers–use the international format +1 (area code) (telephone number). See if you can connect.
If you can connect, then the hack worked for you. Congratulations!
Enjoy your free calls!
it is not working, when i press connect i get the disconnected (unknown server). what does that mean?
Hi Jo. The server must be busy. I got that several times, too, before finally getting connected. Do try connecting again.
I wonder if this free “tunneling” workaround would still work once Skype and the other concerned companies finds out.
Still, as long as its for free, it’s all worth it.
Is it really works ??
no
For free calls to USA and Canada, you can simply use internetcalls instead of skype (http://www.internetcalls.com).
any additional software on top of another (ipig + skype) sucks your system resources. there are a lot of softphone out there that gives free calls to the US and even more countries. some are unlimited, others offer 300 free minutes per week.
this works for me, i have talk to my grandma for almost 3 hours, sound quality is very clear! iPIG and SKYPE the best!
caution: iPIG cuts your bandwidth by atleast half! i have a 256kbps connection but with ipig enabled, it goes down to 100kbps or less. probably due to encryption which is its core function. disable it and its useless for skype. i tried it, and so with some better apps out there.. =)
m cautious because mcafee siteadvisor flags it as suspicious (yellow).. could it be possible that the slowdown is a result of its hidden talents? or its simply just a bandwidth hog?
yes i noticed a very significant decrease in my connection speed. i do get to call though but not with frequent hiccups or dropped calls as a result because either skype or ipig disconnects from its server. worse, i get occasional system hardware malfunction or the blue screen of death! can anyone help?
The bandwidth problems seem to be only in iPig Version 1. I upgraded to iPig Version 2 (currently beta) and now I can browse and download with almost full speed (99%!!) while connected to the iPig server.
whoah its even trickier to connect with version 2 beta. and theres no way u can achieve 99% of your connection speed, thats the downside of encryption. stick with version 1. i guess what you need is a fast connection and a good system for skype running ipig to work well. i tried both versions and v1 is relatively eaiser of the two. ;)
iPIG doesnt work anymore!!?!? it keeps giving an error of “invalid username” or “unknown server” all the time. i think you guys flooded their server (lol hehe). they just cant handle it anymore i guess too many connections. its been 2 days already..
Nope. too bad i was too late for this. i insisted on trying ipig but it didnt work for me. it just locked down my internet connection. is there another bigger gateway out there we can use for free?
Proxies are an easier way of getting about this, but that assumes, #1 you have access to a fairly no latency(fast, low pingtimes, etc) proxie server. and #2 you know what socks proxies are.
why all the trouble when u get get a US number for free? forever. u can share your number with freinds or put it in your business card. aint that cool..
Hey !!!! Yippeee it works man !!! i called from sweden to my home in canada !!! yipee !! You people are cool… DOWNLOAD IPIG VPN and then connect it and then open skype and calllllllll !!! RING RING RING !!
Thannx buddies !!! Hooah !!
for those that can’t connect to ipig anymore.
ipig only gives you 10mb.
what about a mac version or solution?
t dosent work…skype gives me u have no credits
It worked at first.. but now its not working :-s its showing buy credits.. blah blah
Hi guys:
although ipig vpn client is displaying connected ,skype says sorry call failed as it still recognizes that i`m not in usa ,so can anyone explain why or tell me about athoer programms that i can call canada for free or programms instead of ipig
THANKS for any response
it doesn’t work at all
and slow the internet speed
it doesn’t work anymore, can’t get an ipig account, no activation mail send, it’s been 3 days now, and i tried it with 3 different mail adress :/
if you have any other solutions, other softwares that give 300 free minutes, it would be nice ^^
thanks all ;)
and thanks man for the trick, too bad i tried it only 3 years later lol
it is not working really
they are liar it is not working
Try http://www.handsetcall.com it is really for free to call home phones (to almost anywhere in the world)! no downloads, no login, no registration, just enter the phone number and call!
can i downloda it in my nokia E5.