This page explains Skype terms such as SkypeIn and SkypeOut.
- Skype
- Skype is a Luxembourg company, owned by eBay. It provides the free downloadable Skype software, operates chargeable services such as SkypeIn and SkypeOut, and sells Skype-related products like headsets and phones.
- SkypeIn
- If you get many international calls, you can buy up to ten normal international phone numbers from Skype. When someone in the US calls your US phone number, they pay a local call rate and Skype routes the call over the Internet to your Skype phone.
- SkypeOut
- With SkypeOut, from your Skype phone you can call out to any "normal" phone - including mobiles. You pay a small connection fee for each call, and a low rate per minute.
- Skype Voicemail
- A chargeable service, allowing callers to leave you a voice message if you aren't around to answer the call.
- VoIP
- "Voice over IP". IP stands for Internet Protocol, which is used by your browser and email programs as they work over the Internet. VoIP means that your voice call is translated into a data stream, which is then routed over the Internet by Skype just like any other program.
