Skype VoIP

If you do Skype, you’re one of over 100 million

Skype is a major player in international VoIP, closing in on 150 million international users and 8 million concurrent users. Because it’s free to sign up and download, Skype is a great way to introduce you and your family to the tremendous benefits of using VoIP.

Skype is distinct in using peer-to-peer networking; it’s brought to you by the same people who developed the controversial peer-to-peer file sharing software, Kazaa, though it was bought out by eBay in 2005. Much like its cousin Kazaa, Skype offers a graduated service, beginning with its free download up to premium services (SkypeOut) entailing subscription fees.

Features

Skype does feature video over Internet. It also allows file transfer, chat and voicemail, with some additional P2P extensions such as games, etc.

Prices

• Free.
• Premium service begins at $9.99 per month.
• SkypeOut (the premium upgrade) charges a global average of 2 cents per minute.
• There are different rates for different destinations. A general rule: the more obscure the destination, the more it is going to cost you.

Call quality

The sound quality of Skype can be jittery and dropped calls can be a problem if you’re in an area with poor service.

Service reliability

Many users complain that they like Skype version 1.4 over the supposedly upgraded 2.0.

Skype pros

Free service is one of the biggest pros of using Skype. Its big network means that there is a likelihood of being able to contact other users worldwide. You may know people who already Skype. Skype VoIP also works for calls to any regular phone in North America. You do not need to be near your home computer to use special phones with Skype ability; these use wireless fidelity to access your home computer’s Skype account. Skype also has video capabilities.

Skype cons

When using Skype to contact people outside North America, you are limited to contact with only Skype users. The Skype software does not allow you to use (in fact, it competes against) other VoIP protocols such as H.323, IAX and SIP. There are also concerns about Skype security, as it is purported to rely on short key size (an easy-to-hack cipher). Skype also allows multiple concurrent logins, meaning that if a user’s login and password are discovered by a hacker, that hacker can login and remain hidden (a Skype option) while the user makes a call.

*all prices quoted in yourguide2voip are subject to change at any time.