Free Incoming Phone Numbers for Skype

July 2, 2010 at 7:20 pm | Posted in Computers, Economoney, Internet, Online services, Software | 6 Comments

It’s a common issue. You use Skype for long distance calls but your family or friends don’t. So if they call you, it can be expensive for them. Especially if they’re back in the “Old Country”.

Or you just have a cell phone so have to be careful how long you talk. Or you’re on the road and don’t want those nasty roaming charges.

You can subscribe to a “virtual phone number” just about anywhere that can relay to your Skype. (or another phone, etc.) That’s about $6 – $20 per month per number. Virtual numbers are a growing industry that has not had a shakedown yet, so a little research is useful before you sign up. Skype itself offers the SkypeIn service (now called Online Number). It’s cheaper than others if you have a subscription to other Skype services, such as for unlimited NA long distance. But they don’t have Canadian numbers.

And what if you have friends or family you want to have call you but they’re scattered here and there. It can be pricey to have virtual numbers for every area.

Just ran into a new service called Ring2Skype. [The domain has been taken over by Skype -see comments] It’s free. They only have numbers in certain areas. But they include much of Canada. If one is suitable, it might be a solution for you. Even if you already have SkypeIn, you can add this for other places.

Numbers are available in LA, NY, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Maine, etc. and most major centers in Canada. They also have numbers in a couple of dozen other countries.

They can make it free because it’s one number for each city. The caller then dials a 3 digit extension and it calls through to your Skype. Like calling an office.

One tip – add ring2skype.net to your Skype contact list so a non-approved contact is not blocked. Then calls can get through, whatever your settings.

I picked up numbers in 3 cities in Canada and the US and it worked fine. At no cost. Took just a couple of minutes.
David

PS- actual performance in real world use has been another matter – see comments