How To Use Google Voice Without Cell Service

Skip the cell programme: Make voice calls using Wi-Fi

September 10, 2013 / 12:16 PM / MoneyWatch

(MoneyWatch) If your jail cell phone neb looks similar that of nigh smartphone owners, you're paying more than $100 a month. That's well over $1,000 each twelvemonth only to maintain a cell phone. Think about that a moment.

At present consider what you use your jail cell telephone for: Mostly apps, no doubt, like Facebook, Twitter, Google Maps and the similar. And while a large chunk of your pecker does become toward data, the reality is that you lot probably spend nigh of your time on Wi-Fi, which yous go for free or pay another way -- not as part of your monthly cell phone bill. How often do you use your phone for voice calls? Probably not a not.

As a consequence, it'due south worth asking: If you lot could brand telephone calls at no cost or low cost using Wi-Fi, would that persuade you to drop your cell phone program?

BYOD alert: Confidential data on personal devices
Living with a smartphone -- and no cellular programme
No-contract smartphone plan for $xx/month

Of form, information technology might not be quite that easy. Most voice-over-Wi-Fi apps crave you to take a cell phone number, so y'all might consider dropping your information plan and going with the cheapest possible voice parcel as a compromise.

And if you're already locked into a two-year contract, y'all might need to wait for the programme to elapse. Or y'all might be able to buy yourself out, depending upon your mobile provider. But once yous become past those issues, you could potentially use a cell phone for much less money -- as long every bit y'all're around a Wi-Fi hotspot at work, at habitation or effectually town. As I recently discussed in this post on using a smartphone with no cellular plan, this is a realistic option for some people.

Ready to consider a no-cell-plan or super-cheap plan lifestyle? You'll demand an app that can make voice calls over Wi-Fi. Here are the most popular options:

Google Voice. Mayhap the near common phonation call app effectually, Google Voice is complimentary and replicates the experience of a jail cell phone plan with voice, voicemail and texting. Unlike virtually other options, Google Phonation gives yous a phone number that works like any ordinary phone. The downside? It still requires you to have a cell phone plan. If you want to ditch a cell programme entirely, Google Vox won't get yous there. Bachelor for iPhone and Android.

Fring. Fring is popular because in add-on to ordinary voice and video calling, it supports conference calls with up to iv people at once, fifty-fifty via video. It too includes text messaging, not unlike Google Vocalization. To place calls to non-Fring users, you need to purchase credits; you tin get unlimited calling for $7 a month. Bachelor for iPhone and Android.

Skype. Now owned by Microsoft (MSFT), Skype allows both phonation and video calling. If you already use Microsoft'southward Messenger service, Skype can import and employ your existing contacts. To call not-Skype phones, you demand to purchase Skype credits, which start at $5. Bachelor for iPhone and Android.

Tango. Unlike Google Vox and Skype, Tango is somewhat more socially minded. It does voice and video, text letters, and large grouping text chats, only likewise features status updates and other features like photo-sharing that make information technology more like a social network. Unlike options similar Google Vocalism and Skype, though, Tango does non have the ability to call outside the network of Tango users. Available for iPhone and Android.

Talkatone. Talkatone doesn't piece of work on its own; you need to as well have a Google Voice account. But hither'southward where it gets interesting. While Google Voice on its ain still uses cell minutes, Talkatone leverages Google Voice over Wi-Fi, letting y'all avoid your jail cell phone program entirely. Consider it a complete replacement for your prison cell phone plan, for free. Bachelor for iPhone and Android.

TextNow. Like Talkatone, Textnow is a free Wi-Fi calling app -- it gives you your own phone number and delivers voice and texting on your phone whether or not information technology has a cell phone plan. Information technology differentiates itself from Talkatone by featuring a lot of customization (like wallpaper, ringtones and color schemes). Available for iPhone and Android.

Dave Johnson

View all articles by Dave Johnson on CBS MoneyWatch »
Dave Johnson is editor of eHow Tech and writer of three dozen books, including the acknowledged How to Do Everything with Your Digital Camera. Dave has previously worked at Microsoft and has written nearly applied science for a long list of magazines that include PC World and Wired.

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