Skype Ultra-Lite

July 12, 2009 6:04 AM

Hi there. I'm living in Montreal and just got an Android-based phone (HTC Dream) through Rogers. I'm trying to use Skype Lite, which would be like a dream come true...if it worked. Help, please!

I'd like to use Skype Lite to call internationally. Should be a breeze, right? I got the Skype Lite app, installed it, signed in, and everything looks fine. My contacts are all there, etc.

It works by dialing a local number (in Montreal, supposedly) and then somehow magically connecting to Skype via that number so that I am only using local minutes that I've paid for on my phone plan.

The trouble is that when I try to actually make a call, it tells me it's dialing a local number to connect to Skype. It then dials this number: +1813xxxxxxx

According to Google (who clearly rules my life even more now that I have an Android phone), this is a Florida area code.

Then, I get the following message:

"The number you have called is not assigned. Please check the number and try your call again."

My call is then terminated, and I didn't even get to say hello. The location in my Skype profile is set to Montreal. I have no idea how to change the number that it calls to a local Montreal number. Skype has notoriously bad customer service, so no help there. Next step is to try Rogers, but I know exactly how that will go.

Anyone out there have any insight or ideas on this one? Thanks in advance!

posted by nosila to technology (14 comments total)

While I'm not in Canada, my mobile network provides the same service - and you would almost certainly have to follow the issue up with Rogers, not Skype. Was your phone sold specifically with the intent to be able to use Skype in this manner? I know these things seem to work on some phones and not others.
posted by ryanbryan at 6:16 AM on July 12

No, the phone is not specifically for Skype; however, others have been successful using Skype Lite on this particular phone.

I think it's extremely likely that Rogers would prefer that I didn't use Skype at all, so that may be the trouble. If no one has a solid answer for me, I'll definitely be contacting Rogers, who will probably be no help at all.

It is strange, though, that it's dialing a non-local number to connect, which is clearly the problem. I just wonder where exactly Skype gets its information on my locale. Why is it dialing Florida?
posted by nosila at 6:29 AM on July 12

Sorry, I know nothing about this subject (though I can't wait to get my own Android based phone! :D). However, have you tried the Skype Lite forums?
posted by TrueVox at 6:42 AM on July 12

Update: I just spoke to Rogers and the representative assured me that they don't intentionally block the use of any applications, including Skype Lite.

Sorry for posting a bunch in my own thread!
posted by nosila at 6:46 AM on July 12

Do you can GPS/location services turned on? I wonder if Skype Lite needs to be able to figure out where you are in the world in order to use the right "local" number when you call with it. If it can't figure out your location, it might default to the Florida number.
posted by autojack at 7:53 AM on July 12

Er, do you HAVE GPS/location services turned on... Autojack no function coffee good without.
posted by autojack at 7:54 AM on July 12

Since it's VoIP seems odd that it dials anything. he other Skype mobile clients use data. I have a G1 - I'll try it out.
posted by GuyZero at 9:27 AM on July 12

So I tried it and I'm in area code 408 and it dialed the 813 number. I think it may be that this is a new service and it doesn't have a very good idea of what "local" is. Also, most US cellphones have no domestic US long distance fees so for US users this wouldn't cost any extra money. Find a support email address and let 'em know it isn't working for you.
posted by GuyZero at 9:43 AM on July 12

Do you can GPS/location services turned on?

Unless the OP explicitly disabled it, the G1 can get a pretty good fix from local cell tower and wifi signals without the GPS being turned on. I have that level of geolocation enabled and it dialed 813 for me too.
posted by GuyZero at 9:44 AM on July 12

Yep...I have every locator possible turned on.

GuyZero, I think you may be right and that it's just a Beta thing. I'm trying one more thing: I'm setting up my Skype Caller ID so that it shows my Canadian cell phone number instead of my US Skype number when I call people. It takes a day or so for them to change it over, so I won't know if it works until tomorrow. After that, I'll email Skype's legendary customer service and see if they know what's going on.

If anyone in Canada who sees this has been successful using Skype Lite on any phone, please let me know. Thanks!
posted by nosila at 11:41 AM on July 12

Try this maybe?
posted by kickingtheground at 11:50 AM on July 12

From the Skype mobile page which is linked from the Android marketplace under the Skype Lite Beta app:

Calls to phones, mobiles or any of your Skype contacts via Skype are only available in Australia, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, New Zealand, Romania, Poland, Sweden, the United States and the UK.
posted by wongcorgi at 12:52 PM on July 12

Bottom of this page - http://www.skype.com/download/skype/mobile/
posted by wongcorgi at 12:53 PM on July 12

Ah. Reading, huh? That's a fancy trick...
posted by nosila at 12:54 PM on July 12