Minimizing Cost on International Calls to the US and Canada with Globe Tattoo Internet, Magic Jack and Skype

Telcos offer as low as P2/min on international calls on the mobile phone. However, calls placed using the internet is a lot cheaper. Voice Over IP has been around since 1996. The first VOIP used the H.323 protocol instead of the more prevalent SIP protocol we use today.

The traditional telephone is slowly being replaced with broadband internet telephony or VOIP. During its initial stages, the "Internet Phone" had a very poor audio as compared to the traditional phone due to the lack of high speed or broadband internet. Today, all the issues that accompanied the "Internet Phone" in the early nineties have all been adressed.


Globe Tattoo@Home brings people together by its high speed broadband service hence the phrase " Abot Mo Ang Mundo" (The World is Within Your Reach).Filipinos have a lot of relatives abroad specially in the US and Canada, and calling abroad using mobile phones would still be very costly at P2/min.

This is where Skype comes in handy. Skype offers VOIP and Video Calling service for free to Skype users. Skype however, was released for Windows and Linux only and the needed hardware to be operational were very bulky e.i computer and internet connectivity and a Skype account. To circumvent such a limitation, Skype  were ported to different mobile platforms such as Symbian, iOS, Blackberry OS, Windows Mobile and Android. This configuration took advantage of WiFi and 3g for Voice and Video Chatting  and still virtually free and portable. Skype also offers low cost plans when calling to mobile or telephone in other countries worldwide.


Magic Jack is another VOIP service provider which charges less than $20 per year. Magic jack allows calling for "FREE" to the US and Canada without having to pay monthly telephone bills. Still magic jack requires an internet connection to be able to place a call to landlines and mobiles in the US and Canada.

Magic Jack comes with it's own hardware and two versions. The earlier version can only be plugged-into any USB on a desktop or Laptop with internet connection. Another one is the later version which do not necessarily require (although it still can be plugged-in) a USB port. This version is called Magic Jack Plus and runs on its own power provided by an A/C adapter with 5V DC output and directly plugged in to an Ethernet port. This version helps reduce energy footprint by eliminating the need for a computer to be operational. Magic Jack Plus comes with a FREE 1 year subscription at $70.49.

I use both Skype and Magic Jack according to my needs. With these technologies, I am able to reduce my energy footprint, telephone bills and electric bills.