Phone over Broadband-Skype

Skype offers a free software that works with your internet connection.  Skype-to-Skype audio calls, video calls and text messaging are free as well. You can also add people who are not yet on Skype and call them on their phones and mobiles at pretty low rates wherever they are.Here are some details (packages, features and drawbacks) of  Skype ’VoIP’ service.

 Packages

You can either  ’pay as you go’ or subscribe to the calling plans. With unlimited plans you get 10,000 min/month minutes with 6 hours of call time per/day that you can use to call 50 different numbers per/day. See the fair usage policy on the subscription page of the Skype website for more details.
Special Promotion:

33% off 3 or 12 month calling subscriptions from Skype until 1st June.

Rates:

U.S and Canada 2.95$/month (call landlines and cell phones)

One Country Package 5.95$/ month (call landlines in selected countries)

Worldwide Package  12.95$/month ( landlines in over 40 countries)

Get an Asia 200 calling subscription from Skype – £3.95/month.

You can also subscribe to special packages for Brazil, South Africa and India.

What else can you do?

You can use it on a computer or get Skype on your mobile. Skype works on a wide range of mobiles, plus on devices like the PlayStation® Portable (PSP®). There’s also a  range of WiFi and cordless phones with Skype built-in.

You could hold a conference call to organise a get-together and then find business recommendations™ to search for the perfect venue to hold it.

Finding friends If you use Microsoft Outlook®, Outlook Express®, or you have an email account with Yahoo! then it’s a simple task to import contacts and get them all onto your Skype. If they don’t have Skype yet you can send them an invite to download it – then you can talk for free.

 Get your friends at MySpace to download Skype or MySpaceIM with Skype. Then add them to your Skype contact list and you’ve got even more people to talk to for free. Simply search for their MySpaceIM name. Adding someone to your contact list is easy.

Also, if your Microsoft Outlook® contacts have phone numbers, you can have them show up on your contact list so you can call them. You’ll need Skype Credit or a monthly subscription to make calls to phones and mobiles.

Note: For better sound quality a headset is recommended by  Skype.

Drawbacks

iPhone users cannot use the Skype service on high-speed 3G wireless network of AT&T; they can use the Skype service only at Wi-Fi hot spots. This is mainly because a product like Skype doesn’t jive with AT&T’s plans.
The software works with ‘Belkin WiFi’ expect for hotspots that require Web authentication such as at ‘Starbucks’.
You cannot transfer your existing number to the online network but you can get a new number in your area code ( it may take more than a try). 911 emergency support is not available. Skype’s customer support is not a plus point to my knowledge.

Phone Features:
Great Value Calls
Online Number
Text Messaging
Voice Mail
Call Forwarding
…………………………………………….

Belkin WiFi Phone


Now you can enjoy the savings of Skype calls wirelessly, without the hassle of using your computer. The Belkin Wi-Fi Phone features the Skype interface, so its ready to use with any wireless network. To make a call, simply use the intuitive, on-screen colour menu to locate your contacts. Use it anywhere in the world through secured or open access to a Wi-Fi network. You can make and receive calls at home, at your office, in cafes or through municipal access.

Related Articles