You know we are huge fans of global sim cards and using VOIP on the iPhone to avoid expensive phone charges while traveling internationally. The latest app we have tried with good success is the Acrobits SIP Phone, $7.99. The app itself does not provide you any phone service. What it allows you to do is connect to your favorite VOIP provider be it Vonage or our favorite, Voip.Ms (See a brief summary of Voip.MS at the end of this review). There is a complete list of certified providers on the Acrobits web site.

The app works with Wifi and 3G although don’t expect great call quality over 3G. Acrobits also offers the new G.729 codec for an additional $9.99. This is an in app purchase. G.729 is supposed to improve call quality by reducing the bandwidth to send data. This has not been tested by FlightCrewLife to date.

Remember that call quality has a lot to do with the quality of your internet connection. If the access point you are connecting to is poor you can expect reduced call quality.

You can set up quick dial buttons, use a traditional keypad or search your contacts on your phone. Call recording is also available. If you turn on push notifications you should be able to receive calls even when the app isn’t running.

As the screenshot shows you can have multiple voip providers within the app.

Price: $7.99
Acrobits Company Site
iTunes Link

Screenshot 1

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Other options include Skype for the iPhone or PC. Skype is not a true VOIP service but does work well.

Voip.MS Our Preferred Voip Provider:

Why do we love VOIP.ms? Well it is cheap $0.99 a month of a phone number of your choice, it is reliable, and just plain works. Voip.ms is a no frills VOIP service based in Canada. You can get an inbound phone number for as little as $0.99 a month and calls cost less than a penny per minute and international calls to landlines are also very affordable. We use VOIP.ms as our home phone, a business line, and a dedicated phone number for crew scheduling that gets turned off on days off and at night allowing me to leave my mobile phone on, if need be, without being bothered. The service is cheap and there are not setup fees. To use with at home you need to buy a VOIP adapter for around $50. There are many to choose from including products from Linksys and GrandStream. This link may help you.

Voip.MS has lots of features like call forwarding, voicemail, call filtering, Do Not Disturb, advanced call routing, etc. What we love about it is I can have a phone number that works at  home, on my latop, and on my iPhone. We don’ on an Android device but I know VOIP apps are available. When we travel there is no need to give out 10 different numbers. As long as we have wifi access my phone will ring, I can check voicemail, and place calls.

Global Sim Cards:

If you have an unlocked phone and want a global sim card try Telna Mobile. You can get a US phone number for a reasonable price.