Using Voice over Internet can save you money when calling
internationally from your computer or internet cafe.
Boy things sure have changed! Baja California is no
different. Mexico now has broad band internet connections, that can
help you save money on phone calls.
Here is a little personal history to put perspective
on some of the technological advancements that have taken place here in
Baja. For example, how radically things have changed in communications in the
last 15 years. When I first came to Baja, I came to Los
Barriles to windsurf for the winter and not much else. I did however,
have a need to stay connected with the U.S., for business purposes such as
checking on renters and stock investments during that time.
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Article Update: 06/07/05
Telmex appears to be blocking ports, slowing upload speeds
and other tactics to thwart VoIP users and Vonage users. We use
Dialpad in the office and they have provided us a work around for users.
When Dialpad Cameleon boots it has a pop up window for
login. at tha bottom of the box is a window for 'location' enter
www.dpcall.com. This will work for awhile, then Telmex may catch
on. When your transmission quality begins to distort and break up, contact
Dial Pad technical service and they will provide you a new address.
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That meant a quick bike ride to the Buena Vista
Caseta to have Norma put through the call on one
of 3 maybe 5 lines that they had for both Buena Vista and Los Barriles. One thing I’ll never
forget, the first year I lived there, is that she had to literally crank a hand
generator for power to call (like Radar in the TV series MASH). I would tip
her extra, to give it a few extra cranks in order to get a better connection.
These calls were not cheap, convenient or consistent but it was the best and
it worked. Having to wait in line
 and talk with everyone at the Telmex Larga
Distancia office was also apart of the ritual as well as trying to learn Spanish from
the local police who shared the building.
Well Los Barriles now has phones and high speed internet
like a lot of other places in Baja and the rest of the world. In fact I’m writing
this on my laptop while outside by the pool at our new Cabo home /office on
a wireless connection that then goes through cable broadband connection to
the rest of the net. Many of you may not be that impressed, as wireless
networks have been out in Canada and the Unite States for a while now. But
if I then tell you I use my computer over a wireless connection, to a cable
broadband (Prodigy Ad Infinitum DSL works the same) to call the United
States for 1.7 cents a minute you might want to listen up.
Yes, in fact I use
this system to call anywhere in Mexico for about 3 cents a minute and any cell phone in Mexico for 14 cents a minute as well. Telcel watch out! While cell phones have definitely taken off all over
Mexico the costs are prohibitive for long distance calls of any length.
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In any case these relatively new “Net or PC to phone”
or "voice over IP" (VoIP)
services do work and I use them regularly for business as well as pleasure
calls. So folks if you are tired of big phone bills do you self a favor
and try out the latest in technology.
I have tried to explain to many people how it can
reduce their phone bills dramatically, but until they stop by and put on
the headset and call home for 20 minutes they just don't quite seem to get it.
Generally when they offer to reimburse me for their 20 minute long
distance call and I tell them the first ones free and anyhow why would I
charge a friend for a 75 cent call! Now do you get it?
My monthly Telmex bill went from close to a $1000.00
before the Internet, to $600 a month with email, and now to less than $100
a month including my broadband service and I’m calling internationally
even more.
These same services work from any Internet connection,
from
anywhere in the world, with very competitive rates to and from just about any where.
Most Internet cafes also have systems available but if you already have
your own account they only charge for the computer time which is commonly
only $1.00 usd an hour now even in Baja. One piece of equipment you will need is a good headset
(headphones and microphone). It is worth it to have a nice one if you plan
on using it regularly. My favorite is by Plantronics (from the aviation
world) its stereo, has a noise canceling microphone and it folds for
storage so it is very easy to travel with You see the links below will
lead you to the same service and equipment we use here at
www.LosCabosInsider.com. Yes if you follow these links and purchase from
these companies we will receive a commission of a few bucks and you can
save hundreds on your phone bill. So what’s that worth?
So happy communicating and we hope this information helps
all of you stay just a little more connected to the world as you live and
travel in the paradise of Baja.
James
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