Do you guys have any recommendations for internet service in KTM which would handle MAGIC-JACK to call to US and Canada?? cable vs wireless. I know dial up cannot handle the data rate of MAGIC JACK. The cheapest and most affordable. I did check the Worldlink website but was wondering if there is any other suggestions. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

Hey 24/7,

My family has got some sort of ADSL cable package and the calls come in loud and clear. Although sometimes there is a bit of noise and delay but not very noticeable. I doubt if dial up can provide for a similar experience.

I think they're paying around 900 NRS/month for it. I'm sorry but I'm not sure about what company they are getting it through.

thanks dekchidriver. Do you know if its 128 or 328 kbps?

From someone somewhere I heard that that one has to pay a monthly fee to use magic jack services. Is that true for Nepal?

its a yearly fee of 19.99 which is a super good deal.

Magic Jjack works fine with NTC 128kbps ADSL service. I think they charge around Rs900/mo. I have had problems with other cable internet in the past and would recommend NTC.

Why does one need Magic Jack when there is free Skype? To my understanding Magic Jack needs a  computer to make a call, so why not make a free video call using Skype instead of  Magic Jack?

Cuz if u wanna use Skype to call to a phone, then u gotta pay. Rates are kinda high. So eventually ure better of with Magic Jack. if both sides got a computer then yes Skype to Skype works.

Skype rates to call Nepal = 11c/min
Rebtel rates = 16c/min
Google voice = 19c/min

And if ure the one who wants to be on recieving end, you need another skype subscription. rebtel and gv allow people to call u for free, but then u have US based numbers, the person who is calling will have to make an int'l call. And the hassle of explaining everything to a layman non-techie is going to make for quite an operetta.

Instead just buy the Magic Jack, give it to them, they plug it into their comp and a cordless phone into the MJ and voila, they now have a US number so they can call anyone as if it were a local call. The only problem here is your internet connection has to be stable and decent.

Or use messenger pigeons :)

Couple friends has MJack, it is crystal clear. They are happy. 

I call Nepal and other countries - skype to skype - for free.  All parties need to have computer with internet connection.  One to one can be video-chat, but for conference calls (3 or more) only voice chat is possible.

Check this link.

http://sajha.org/sajha/html/openthread.cfm?StartRow=21&PageNum=2&forum=300&threadid=77109

Hey I have Vonage . $19.99 flat rate all international calls,unlimited calls local and International but unfortunately can't call Nepal. I wish they add Nepal on their list too.

Dead Zone: Be specific about the cost , is it monthly or yearly. Magic Jack is yearly.

24/7, I have been using magic jack in Nepal for more than a year already. They use 128kbps ADSL from NTC, which is Nrs.900/month. Works perfectly fine. No problem so far. Highly recommended.

Its monthly dear. Other party has to have a magic jack to make a call but Vonage does not have to be. With magic jack you need to have high speed internet but Vonage does not have to be. Vonage hooks up on your modem and you will never get disconnected. With Magic Jack your computer needs to be on all the time but for Vonage it doesn't have to be. If you need to call anywhere International ( Excluding Nepal) Vonage is the best phone service. I did have Magic Jack but to call Nepal or anywhere International I was charged because the other party did not have Magic Jack.

I think the best VOIP out there in the market right now is OOMA. Unlike Vonage and Magic Jack, there is no monthly or yearly charge. The initial cost for the device is little high, $200 but after that it's free. Like Vonage, it doesn't require a computer, just plug the device into the router and connect it to any regular phone set. You'll get a US number and can call US-Nepal for free.

http://www.amazon.com/Ooma-Core-VoIP-Phone-System/dp/B001C1MGKI/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1278044399&sr=1-2

Having said that, I think nothing can beat Skype. I have linked my US number to my Skype account which is just 1 or 2 cents per minute. Whenever my parents try to contact me on Skype the call get routed to my cell phone, so they will never miss me even if I am not at the computer. If I am at the computer then we always do video chat and I must say the video quality is as good as Youtube HQ video.

Dexter, I never heard of that. I will look into it.

My 2 cents:
I have been using it for years. For the first few year they had 128kbps there but last year when I was there, I changed it to 256kbps to actually get some work done remotely. The difference in quality of a call  is the day and night  for about Rs300 a month difference. Highly recommend it!! The best thing ever and the router is hooked up to inverter out which takes so little power, I can call anytime now regardless of the load shedding.

If anyone is interested to buy Ooma. rigth now frys.com is offering refurbished Ooma hub for only 129.99 with no montlhy service charnge (they usually charge 3.46/month). The only thing I m not sure about is whether ooma works fine in Nepal. Ooma's minimum requrement is 368kbps download speed whereas most of adsl speed in nepal is around 128 kbps.