Skype on Wifi

large · Oct 5, 2010

Looks like Skype has released a new version on their android app that allows calls over 3g and wifi. The bad news is that it doesn't use 3g in the US but it will use wifi. (Skype - The Big Blog - Skype now available for Android phones)

It can be found in the market or at skype.com/m

It has installed fine and I'll test it soon. I am sure someone can hack it to work over 3g but at least we have wifi for now.

Here is the article on Wired.com that explains that the US is the only one excluded from 3g calls Skype Comes to Android: Free Voice, Text Over 3G (But Not In US) | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

cwcheese · Oct 5, 2010

Why have to hack it, the Skype Mobile for Verizon is locked to 3G already. That's why the new version is deployed, to allow wifi use of Skype. Other board postings are indicating you have to keep both versions installed, sigh.

thenestor · Oct 6, 2010

cwcheese said:
Why have to hack it, the Skype Mobile for Verizon is locked to 3G already. That's why the new version is deployed, to allow wifi use of Skype. Other board postings are indicating you have to keep both versions installed, sigh.

Skype Mobile for Verizon doesn't really use 3G; it places a phone call to Skype. So the reason for wanting a true 3G solution would be if you want to use your data plan only (if for some reason you don't want to place a phone call).

And it appears someone named KaspenLogic fixed the Skype app so that it doesn't check whether you're in the U.S., and therefore allows calls over 3G. I won't link to it, but let's just say you can find skype_3g.apk if you look hard enough.

doogald · Oct 6, 2010

thenestor said:
Skype Mobile for Verizon doesn't really use 3G; it places a phone call to Skype. So the reason for wanting a true 3G solution would be if you want to use your data plan only (if for some reason you don't want to place a phone call).

Well, the Verizon Wireless version does use 3G for Skype to Skype calls, and also for international Skype-out calls.

cwcheese · Oct 7, 2010

doogald said:
Well, the Verizon Wireless version does use 3G for Skype to Skype calls, and also for international Skype-out calls.

The salient point in all of this is not how VZW transports the call, it is that VZW intends to collect $/min for using Skype Mobile, thus they initially denied customers the use of Skype over wifi connections. Likely on the advice of Gordon Gecko...

IzelTokatl · Oct 7, 2010

FYI skype has been hacked to work over 3G, this is NOT a link to the app, but you'll have to do a bunch more reading and clicking to find it.

news source..

Hacked Skype app allows 3G calling | Android Central

VW_Lupo_TD · Feb 18, 2011

cwcheese said:
Likely on the advice of Gordon Gecko...

LOL - greed is good - the motto of corporate america ;-) (especially verizon)

i just switched to verizon today after i was assured skype mobile would also work over WiFi - why am I not really surprised ?

doogald · Feb 18, 2011

VW_Lupo_TD said:
LOL - greed is good - the motto of corporate america ;-) (especially verizon)

i just switched to verizon today after i was assured skype mobile would also work over WiFi - why am I not really surprised ?

A long time has passed since this thread started. There are now two apps in the Android market - Skype for Verizon, with the inability to use WiFi, and a regular Skype for Android app, which can.

Here is the good one: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.skype.raider&feature=search_result

and here is the lamer Verizon one: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.skype.android.verizon&feature=search_result

bberryhill0 · Feb 22, 2011

Direct market link for the good one.
http://market.android.com/details?id=com.skype.raider

I've always wondered what the difference was.

Not techie · Mar 4, 2011

I tried to call using wifi only and the connection was very choppy. Even sitting within 20 feet of the router... is this the usual thing? have other people experienced low quality when using skype via wifi?

galileo01 · Mar 22, 2011

Any one else having trouble getting the "good one" to install. The VZW one installs but it doesn't work wi-fi only. I am looking to make calls through wi-fi while in europe. If anyone has other solutions they could point me to that would be great as well. Thanks

doogald · Mar 22, 2011

I have not used it myself, but I hear good things about Truphone.

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.truphone.andrd&feature=search_result

Skype on Wifi

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