speakout wireless with ipad | Phone/Device Issues and Features | Consumer forum

I have the iPad 2 with cut speakout SIM and unlimited browsing. Everything works fine as far as I can tell. There's another thread with the settings, etc.

Basically, I activated the SIM in an existing phone. I did this because to validate the SIM, speakout sends a number code to be input in the website. I want to be able to manage my account on the web.

Once the SIM was activated, I cut it to micro size using a Noosy SIM cutter, did not need to file or further trim the SIM, installed it in the iPad.

Downloaded the iPhone Configuration file from the link in the other thread, input the settings, installed the configuration file and have had smooth sailing for the past two months.

I had Rogers for a month for twice the money. Went with speakout unlimited data and haven't noticed any noticeable difference.

This should probably be called iPad and Speakout for dummies.

I am a relatively new iPad 2 WiFi/3g owner, and have never owned a cell phone. I am hoping that what I want to do is possible, but since going over these forums and other internet sites a few times, and probalby wasting some money, I have the sinking feeling its not, but am posting in the hope that I am just doing something wrong.

What I want to do is, when out of WiFi range with my iPad, be able to make a phone call to my daughter's phone using the iPad 3g for the rare occasions (maybe once every few months) when I need to relay a message. Because I will make very few calls, I wanted to use a pay as you go type plan and to avoid monthly fees. My iPad 2 did not come with any mini SIM card.

When I read that people were using the iPad to make phone calls, and the Speakout service had a pay as you go option with minutes staying good for up to 365 days, I thought that this combination was the answer to what I wanted to do. So, I bought the cheapest Speakout phone (Nokia 1661 which comes with 20 min of phone time, so now I do sort of have a cell phone), validated it via the phone and the web site, made one phone call from the cell phone to make sure it worked, took the SIM out of the phone and cut it down to the mini SIM size using a template on the internet, inserted the mini SIM into my iPad 2, turned on the Cellular Data option in the iPad Settings, and saw the Carrier option in Settings announce Speakout, and got 4 little bars in the top left corner of my iPad, indicating I thought that the Speakout 3g service was up and running and had a good connection.

It wasn't till this point that I realized that the iPad had no native app that mimicked a phone (yes, I should have looked for this first, but I had never had a cell phone before so it didn't occur to me). Probably dumb, but when people say they are usinig their iPad as a phone, they just make that general statement and don't give details as to how they are doing it on the iPad, or at least I haven't seen any.

So, I thought I could just use a program like Skype to call. So I turned off the WiFi, and tried to use Skype, but couldn't log in to Skype. So I turned the WiFi back on, logged into Skype, then turned the WiFi back off, and still couldn't log into Skype.

After some further reading on these forums, I wondered if the problem was that I hadn't installed a profile for Speakout. So I got the iPhone Config Utility, and using the directions that Andreww gave on Aug 29/10, set up a profile and installed it on the iPad. After this, I still couldn't make any calls using Skype.

Then I found the following post by andreww on the ehMac.ca forums:
"Speakout has gone 3G in most areas now. It still runs through a proxy so you can't do apps that use voip like Skype, or third party messaging apps. The E-mail app will only work with Gmail set up as an exchange account. Other than that everything works as it should. My average cost for running it is less than $15 per month as I don't tend to make a lot of calls and am not a mega texter. Data is unlimited for $10 per month, outgoing texts are 10 cents and calls are 25 cents per minute with a huge local calling area. If you are not a heavy phone user its a great alternative."

This suggests that I can't use Skype.

So is there some application that I can use to make phone calls using Speakout as the carrier so that I can avoid monthly fees?

Thanks very much for the information, or any other suggestions.

Thanks for the information. I will look into the voip.ms service. Also I have found some info on iCall and will look into that.

I don't really want to have to look after (and keep charged) a cell phone which I would rarely use when I always will have my iPad with me. I also don't want to have to pay a monthly fee as that would make my rare phone calls very expensive. And lastly, since I cut the SIM that came in the phone down to a micro SIM, in order to use the cell phone I would have to buy another SIM, not a big expense, but an expense none the less (I presume I could transfer my SO minutes to a new SIM, but I don't know for sure).

Regards

Are you using the SO for data on the iPad ? If yes, I would say do what brian said. 25/yr and you can extend that if you haven't used up. So you only need to top up once a year and just carry the 1661 which don't really need too much caring.

Alternatively, use the Bell/Rogers iPad plan. I am using that on my iPhone and make calls via VOIP.

EDIT:
BTW, I have been very careful when cutting the SIM(I used to cut one from PC mobile) so it can be put back to the original large SIM cut out and use in standard phone.

bridonca said:

Why is is not possible to have a 365 day expiration date plan on your iPad? Almost every carrier offers one, usually for $100, but Speakout does it for $25.

As for VOIP over 3G, it sucks. Even worse with EDGE! The latency and jitter is embarrassing bad. The Rogers and Bell/Telus 3G networks are rather hostile to VOIP. You can get it working, but the results will not be impressive.

Who offers a Surf the Web plan? Are you talking about Speakout browsing? If so, nothing Speakout offers will work with VOIP. Browsing, and most Apps will work with the iPad though.

It depends on what is intended usage for voip over 3G. I have no problem using it a many occasions doing casual things like 1-800 or restaurant booking etc. It is fine, I specifically use GSM. G.711 however is VERY BAD.

Chimpanzee, the 365 day expiry plan means that you are working with a 365 day plan rather than 15 or 30 day plans... the time rolls over as long as you remember to top it up, and there is no automatic monthly renewal so you don't have to remember to cancel any auto renew. Speakout is the only carrier that offers a 365 plan like that as far as I know. It is personal preference which determines which length of plan you like better as far as I can see.

I have read articles where people have done something called jailbreaking their ipad, and then you can use an application to make the iPad work just like an iPhone for voice calls on 3g networks. One such application is called PhoneIt-iPad for example. I would rather not jailbreak my iPad.

I appreciate your comments.

My comment about jailbreaking was just meant to show that the iPad 2 can be used like a voice phone if it is jailbroken over WiFi and 3g networks. I guess only the mystics know why Apple does not allow voice phone calls in the native iOS.

I realize now that it is my own fault for somehow jumping to the conclusion that the iPad in a pristine state could be used to make voice calls.

The only info I have found that indicates that there is a way to make voice calls on the iPad 2 using 3g is info that is at the site of a program called Line2. I have searched but I haven't seen anyone who has the Speakout service post any experiences they have had with Line2. Also Line2 costs about $10 per month, which is of course on top of the cost of the 3g service. They do have a free trial, and if I can get an account set up, I am going to try it out.

From Line2 FAQ

What is Tri-Mode Calling?
Line2 is unique because it uses WiFi, cellular data (3G or 4G), or even cellular voice connections to make and receive calls, all with the same number - an industry first. When you're in a WiFi area, Line2 uses that for calls and texts. When you're in an area with cellular data coverage, Line2 can use that for your calls, allowing you to be mobile without using cell minutes. If a reliable data connection isn't available, for example in a moving vehicle, Line2 can use your cellular voice line to make the call while still using your Line2 number. This is the only calling mode that uses your cell plan minutes, but ensures you will always be able to place a call no matter where you are. These options can be managed in the dialing section of the settings tab.

Can I really turn my iPad or Android tablet into a phone? What's the catch?
There is no catch. We are a phone company but instead of using cell towers, we use data networks and wi-fi networks to transmit your calls and text messages. This is known as VoIP calling, but you can also use Line2 over the mobile network.

Here is a review:
http://www.mobiletechreview.co.....mber=41340

i doubt skype works on SO