Filed under: Tips and tricks, iPhone, App Store
Using Skype to battle cell phone dead zones
Is the cell coverage in your area not up to par? Whether you happen to have steel walls or live where there are no cell phone towers or trees cleverly disguised as cell phone towers, some of us must deal with the reality that, while we own arguably the most innovative gadget in recent years in the iPhone, we may not have had the best carrier to accompany it. One way to address this "bag of hurt" is through the Skype [iTunes link] app.
If you don't already have the Skype app, download it -- it's a free download in the App Store. Next, you'll need to make sure that Skype stays online when the screen is locked. This is accessible via the Skype app preferences within the iPhone's main settings page. After this is enabled, the Skype app continues to run in the background and maintains a Wi-Fi connection even after the sleep/awake button is pushed -- or if it's set to automatically lock after a given time interval. Second, because Skype requires a Wi-Fi connection to make and receive calls, you'll also want to make sure that whatever cell phone dead zone you're at also happens to have a Wi-Fi connection.
This workaround obviously isn't without its weaknesses. Assuming that most of those calling you would prefer dialing a phone number instead of your Skype user name, you'll likely need a separate phone number. One option is SkypeIn, which marries Skype to a real phone number. The service costs $18 for three months or $60 for a whole year. And if you happen to have a Google Voice phone number, directing your calls to your SkypeIn number is an option. Alternatively, you could forward all of your iPhone calls to said Skype number whenever you anticipate a cell phone dead zone -- say, before you enter your house, if you have bad reception there. This is accessible via the Phone preferences within the iPhone's main settings page. Doing this, you won't have to give out multiple numbers to your friends and family.
One of the other drawbacks of this alternative is that while an audible indicator (a ringing noise) is present when you're receiving a call, a visual one isn't. In other words, you may need some cat-like ears to know when you're receiving a call.
A seamless solution this is not, but it nonetheless provides a possible workaround until more cell towers are built in your area, or until a push-based solution is available for Skype.
Readers, tell us what you're doing to remedy cell reception issues. Be it a do-it-yourself tin can signal booster or anything else, let us know what's worked for you.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SuperNumberOne Podcast said 4:09PM on 9-30-2009
I have resorted to this solution to combat my own personal AT&T hell at home. It works fairly well, but occasionally I will still disconnect from skype periodically. Whether this is due to skype or comcast I don't know.
Not perfect, but until I'm forced to shell out 150 bucks to shore up the network, it will have to do.
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Greg Alexander said 4:20PM on 9-30-2009
I use iSip and a local SIP provider to make calls when at one of my offices.
I would very much like to see 2 things to improve this
1) Apple work with us - provide VoIP/SIP access via the regular phone app. Let me choose when to use 3G vs VoIP. Make it seamless.
2) AT&T/Vodafone/O2/Whoever work with us.... - let us log into your Cell network via VoIP, so my regular phone calls can come to me via VoIP etc.
Unlike the microcell, this doesn't use AT&T's frequencies and I would guess can work anywhere in the world. If necessary, for e911 services, only allow voip connections where the wifi point is identified by SkyHookWireless, so it knows our location.
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Shaun said 6:51PM on 9-30-2009
You could solve your VoIP hell just by getting a Nokia E series - built in SIP client already that works over wifi or 3G. Depending on the handset and carrier you might need to unlock the 3G VoIP access though. Thankfully, Nokia provide an app for that. :)
Apple need to step up to the plate and add SIP to the iPhone.
Incoming Skype, SIP, Gizmo etc will never work, even with push, until Apple allow background 3rd party apps. You're still at the mercy of the OS shutting down your VoIP app whenever it deems something more important has happened.
starq said 4:35PM on 9-30-2009
Thanks Sang Tang!
I have no bars and have been waiting for the Microcell as well. I already use Skype for outgoing but didn't realize that I could receive incoming calls as well. I just bought a phone number and will forward my iPhone until Microcell is released in my area.
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Alex said 4:42PM on 9-30-2009
Has nobody thought of UMA?
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starq said 4:48PM on 9-30-2009
Yes, I think of Uma Thurman a lot. She's hot.
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racco said 4:59PM on 9-30-2009
I use Skype for making calls at work where the O2 signal is absolute crap. I don't use it to receive calls, I just forward all calls to the work phone once I arrive. I also us Skype to make calls when abroad to avoid the insane roaming rates.
For SMS I now use Ping! Yes, it iPhone to iPhone only, but 95% of my SMS is to my girl, who is also using an iPhone. I'm looking forward to seeing how much less SMS usage there is on my bill come next month. I may even be able to move to a cheaper tariff because of it
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Scott said 5:36PM on 9-30-2009
I use an free app called Whistle Phone. Its dead simple to use and integrates nicely with my address book. You get a free 3 day trial when you sign up and after that you can activate the unlimited calling (inbound and outbound) service for $9.95 a month, plus you get a phone number.
You can actually tie it to your existing phone #'s using a pretty cool follow me feature. It rings your other #'s if you do not have your Whistle Phone app up and running.
Check it out, ive found this to be the best remedy for att dead zones.
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bleaus said 6:35PM on 9-30-2009
I've been looking for this solution for a while. I haven't tried Skype yet, but I'm considering it. I'd love to use Google Voice though. Although any solution means costing more money and eating up the minutes of my cell plan, as most of my calls are to people on my plan.
I'm waiting for the MicroCell, but am not excited about paying another $150 for it.
Any other solutions out there? I'm especially interested in suggestions on signal boosting.
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Mike said 7:52PM on 9-30-2009
Not working for me on my iPod. Does it only work on the iPhone? It's pretty annoying that I only get Push when my email wakes up the wifi to check my mail, but until the 3.1 jailbreak comes out I can't get the SBSettings plugin to keep the wifi awake.... very annoying...
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Ralph E Montgomery said 8:00PM on 9-30-2009
One simple solution to offline notification is Growl on the desktop and Prowl on the iPhone. When any event happens on skype, a contact logs on, a message is sent to your account or an in coming phone call, Growl forwards those events to your iPhone via Notifications.
Prowl is the receiver and it can do an audible, pop a message to the home screen and even automatically launch the associated app (Skype in this scenario) once you click the notification.
This is perfect for me as I have two adult children on opposite sides of the world where Skype is our primary means of communication. When either one signs onto Skype, I get a notification immediately and can proactively talk to either one without prior coordination.
I use the same method to keep in contact with family members via Facebook.
Skype+Growl+Prowl = Answer to no background apps.
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jason said 8:18PM on 9-30-2009
How do you get the iphone to ring when a skype in number is dialed? doesnt work for me, I can only dial out from my phone. Yes, I have my preferences set to always stay online.
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Patrick Alexander said 9:01AM on 10-01-2009
My cell flat out doesn't have any signal at my house. I got a magicjack, $40 first year with adapter, $20/year thereafter. I have a google voice number which I've told everyone to use now. That rings both the cell and the magicjack. I also forward my iPhone to my magicjack. Google voice is awesome though because with the jailbreak app people can still send me txts and google converts them to push email. So I get an email and then go into the google voice app and reply back as txt. Totally free. My dependence on AT&T is waning slowly. I can get microcell actually but why pay extra for another voip adapter?
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Thanh Cung said 11:39AM on 10-08-2009
AT&T signal at my work place is very weak, but Wifi is excellent. I deal wiht this by giving people my Skype-in number and set Skype to forward calls to my AT&T cell phone #
when I'm not in a Wifi network or when Skype on my I phone is not on. This way you only have to give people one #, your Skype-in #. With Skype's unlimited US/Canada calling subscription ($3/mo and Skype-in number only cost $30/yr if you also subscribe to one of Skype's unlimited calling plans), you don't have to use your AT&T minutes when ever you r in a Wifi area.
The only problem is Skype-in doesn't work on my i phone 3gs on incoming calls after the phone has been locked for a while, even with "stay Online" set to "On" in I Phone/Settings/Skype. I have to set the phone to "never" lock to receive Skype in calls. Anyone with a solution for this???
AT&T has just announced a few days ago that it will allow VoIP calls on its 3g network. Soon Skype will work on both 3g & Wi-Fi!
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mayteromero75 said 10:22PM on 10-14-2009
sonrie siempre
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Deadcellzones said 7:24PM on 10-17-2009
This is going to be a big year for Skype as the FCC opens up. 50% of homes in the US do not have seamless wireless coverage. Do a zip code search in your neighborhood for dead zones at http://deadcellzones.com
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