From a standing start in August 2003, Skype now has over 100 million users. No matter where in the world these people live, they are able to make free telephone calls to each other through their computers and the Internet. In the fourth quarter of 2006, Skype say they handled 7.6 billion Skype-Skype minutes. That's a lot of free phones calls. We explain how you too can take advantage of Skype.
What you need to start using Skype
First of all, you need a computer with a broadband Internet connection. As you're reading this, you'll already have the computer and the Internet connection. Make sure that you have a broadband connection, as Skype doesn't work very well on the old low-bandwidth modem connections.
You'll need Skype software, which is downloadable free of charge. Download Skype software here. You'll also need a headset or Skype phone. A simple way of getting going is to buy the Skype Starter Kit. Buy Skype Starter Kit. For just £9.15 including VAT this contains:
- Simple mono-aural (i.e. just for one ear) headset with speaker and multi-media plug
- Mini-CD containing the Skype software for Windows
- Voucher for 30 minutes of SkypeOut
Another good startup package is Skype Pro. Buy Skype Pro. For just £9.20 including VAT this package lasts for 5 months and contains:
- Pay nothing per minute to UK landlines (01 and 02 prefix numbers only, connection charge still applies)
- £4 of Skype credit
- £16 discount on SkypeIn
- Free Skype Voicemail
- Save £21 on a Philips VoIP 841 cordless phone
- Save £7 on an SMC WiFi phone
Basic Skype
Once you have Skype software, your broadband Internet connection, a computer, and a headset or phone, then you can register with Skype. You get a Skype id, and once you've signed in you can make or receive Skype calls. These calls are encrypted, which means that it would be extremely difficult for someone to eavesdrop on them.
If you sign out, go on holiday and sign in there, then nobody will know that you've moved; your Skype id uniquely identifies you wherever you are. Your id is usable on any computer which has a broadband connection. This is more flexible than a landline, but not as flexible as a mobile.
If you move around a lot, then you should consider buying a U3 Smart Drive. This is a USB Flash Drive which can have programs like Skype already installed. Once you've plugged in the U3 Smart Drive, you can use Skype even if Skype hasn't been installed on that computer; and once you unplug it, it leaves no trace on that computer.
SkypeOut
Although Skype-Skype calls are free, you'll probably also want to call people who only have normal phones or mobile phones. SkypeOut lets you do this. You can call landline phones or mobile phones anywhere in the world from your Skype phone. You pay a connection cost of 3.3p (BT also charges 3p), then a rate which is usually much cheaper than normal or mobile phone calls - see the table below. International calls are charged at a local rate, as the Internet is used for the international part of the call. Buy SkypeOut.
The table shows Skype and BT call prices, as at March 18, 2007. Please check Skype web site for latest Skype prices. All call rates are pence per minute, including VAT. BT typically have two rates - one for "daytime" (6am to 6pm) and one for evenings and weekends.
Calls To |
Skype | BT Daytime | BT Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
UK |
1.4 |
3 |
3 |
UK Toll-Free |
Free |
Free |
Free |
UK Mobiles |
16.6 |
13 |
8 |
USA |
1.4 |
14.99 |
10 |
France |
1.4 |
18.5 |
10 |
| France Mobiles | 13.2 |
30 |
30 |
Australia |
1.4 |
24 |
10 |
| Australia Mobiles | 13.3 |
30 |
30 |
Bangladesh |
8.9 |
25 |
22 |
Bangladesh - Dhaka |
4 |
25 |
22 |
| Bangladesh Mobiles | 8.9 |
10 |
10 |
Barbados |
13 |
23 |
21 |
Brazil |
3.6 |
84 |
68 |
China |
1.4 |
23 |
21 |
| China Mobiles | 1.4 |
30 |
30 |
Germany |
1.4 |
18.5 |
10 |
| Germany Mobiles | 16.1 |
30 |
30 |
India |
10.1 |
25 |
22 |
| India Mobiles | 11.2 |
10 |
10 |
Jamaica |
8.2 |
23 |
21 |
| Jamaica Mobiles | 14.6 |
30 |
30 |
Nigeria |
5.6 |
68 |
64 |
Pakistan |
9.3 |
25 |
22 |
| Pakistan Mobiles | 9.3 |
10 |
10 |
Poland |
1.4 |
27 |
24 |
| Poland Mobiles | 16.1 |
30 |
30 |
You can readily see that Skype is cheaper than BT for everything except calls to UK and India mobiles. In some cases, Skype is much cheaper than BT.
Calls to toll free numbers are free. So from the UK, you call a UK (and US, France, Germany, Poland, ...) toll-free number free of charge.
Note that you can't call 999, or other Emergency Services from Skype. This is because your call is routed via the Internet, and Skype doesn't know where you are - so it can't tell the Emergency Services where to go.
SkypeIn
SkypeIn is a phone number so that on Skype you can receive calls from landlines and mobiles. You can buy up to ten phone numbers. When someone phones your phone number, they pay a local rate and Skype routes the call over the Internet to your Skype phone.
This means that your callers only have to pay a local call, even if they are in a different country from you. Also, if you move around e.g. by logging onto Skype from a friend's house, you will still get your incoming phone calls.
You can buy numbers in Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and USA.
SkypeIn is a chargeable service. It costs £11.50 including VAT for 3 months. If you buy three, you get one free - buy 12 months for £34.50 including VAT. Buy SkypeIn.
Skype Voicemail
A chargeable service, allowing callers to leave you a voice message if you aren't around to answer the call. Naturally, you can personalise your voicemail greeting. You can also send voicemail messages to anyone on Skype.
Skype Voicemail costs £3.45 including VAT for 3 months, or £11.50 including VAT for 12 months. Buy Skype Voicemail.
Summary
We've explained all you need to know about Skype. We've covered how you can get started with Skype, SkypeOut, SkypeIn, and Skype Voicemail.
