To use Skype, the only equipment you need is a headset and your computer. When you’re at your computer and have the Skype user-interface downloaded, you push the buttons to call and you’re on your way to starting a conversation. If you’re calling a Skype user, there is no charge for the call.
Buying Skype Credits
The calling plans aspect of Skype is where the VoIP technology gets interesting and exciting. Other than calling your friends on your computer for free, you can call virtually any of your business contacts, family, or any other person that doesn’t use Skype. To do this, you need to buy Skype credit. There are a couple options for buying Skype credit–you can either add money to your Skype balance to make phone calls to non-Skype users or you can pay monthly, quarterly or yearly for a subscription. Of course, you pay by the minute if you decide to simply keep adding money to your Skype balance. In either case, the cost is extremely low.
When paying by the minute by using your pay-as-you-go account, you’ll fill your account to a certain dollar limit, make calls and get charged 2.3 cents for those calls assuming your calling within the United States. Comparable rates–or at least extremely discounted rates–are offered if you’re calling overseas.
Unlimited Calling Plans
You can also purchase a pre-paid Skype subscription with unlimited calling to the countries specified in your subscription. Skype offers unlimited calling within the United States and Canada for only $2.99 per month. This means that you can use Skype, call anyone and make as many calls to non-Skype customers as you want for only $2.99 per month. You can purchase your subscription cheaper, too, if you decide to pay for a quarterly or annual unlimited calling subscription.
Extending Skype
As mentioned, there are many ways to extend Skype and save money with this VoIP technology. For instance, you may not always want to be right by your computer with your headset to make calls. Eventually, this can get cumbersome if you’re using Skype as a real alternative to your local phone service. For this reason, you can buy corded and cordless phones that you can use with your Skype account.
The first types of phones are the corded phones that have been able to be used with Skype since the beginning. These phones–including the Philips VoIP1511B-10 and the Belkin Desktop Internet Phone–connect to either the USB port on your computer or an Ethernet port on your internet modem. Though the Philips Skype phone requires you to have your computer turned on and the Skype software loaded to make calls, the Belkin Desktop Internet Phone essentially contains the Skype software and doesn’t require you to have the computer turned on.
Other phones include the RTX Dualphone models. These have extendable cordless handsets, but to use these phones, your internet connection needs to make use of a wireless router to which the phone can connect. Once you connect these phones and position them throughout your house or office, you can turn the phone on, sign into your Skype account and make calls just like any other cordless handset.
Getting SkypeIn Numbers
Skype also offers something called the SkypeIn feature or “Online Number.” With this feature, you can truly make Skype your local phone service replacement. The dilemma–if you do not have a SkypeIn or Online Number–is that you probably wish that your friends, family members and contacts could call you even though they may not have Skype accounts. This is possible with the SkypeIn number.
For an added minimal fee, Skype gives you the option of assigning you a local phone number which other people can call you on. When people call you, your Skype account rings if you’re currently online. If you make use of a Skype phone–such as one of the cordless or corded phones aforementioned–this phone rings. In other words, you can pick up your phone just as you would any other phone and begin talking. In addition, you can buy as many SkypeIn numbers as you want, which means that you can get one strictly for business contacts and one that you can give out to family and friends.
Skype Mobile
Aside from using Skype in your home or office, you can also use Skype on-the-go, assuming you have a compatible cell phone product that can download the Skype software. Newer smartphones and Blackberry devices that contain built-in Wi-Fi services typically allow you to download and use Skype while in a Wi-Fi zone.
In addition to phones that you can use with your wireless cell phone service for Skype, you can also purchase mobile phones that have been made specifically for Skype users. For example, the Netgear SPH200W and the Linksys WIP320 both are phones that contain Wi-Fi cards and built-in Skype software. With these phones, you don’t need a cell phone plan or anything; you can use them on any Wi-Fi network to make and receive calls from your Skype account.
As you can see, you have a variety of options when it comes to saving money with Skype. You can virtually eliminate your local phone service bill with the use of a Skype account, which you can extend on your mobile phone and take with you wherever you go. The Skype service pays for itself many times over and taking advantage of VoIP technology via Skype is the way to go if you’re looking to save money.
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