The technology behind VoIP has heralded a wave of Internet communication start-ups that offer the promise of free phone calls around the world. There's plenty of VoIP players in the local market -- names like Engin, MyNetFone and Freshtel come to mind -- but without a doubt the big fish in the VoIP pond is Skype.
With a claimed installed user base of around 220 million users -- and those all within the last four years -- it's a big fish that's hard to ignore. Skype's head of marketing stated recently that there were over one million registered Australian subscribers. The practical upshot of that is that if there's someone you want to talk to online, chances are they're on Skype.
Skype's earliest clients were voice only, but in recent times they've expanded exactly what it is Skype does; where once you'd only be able to hear Auntie Gladys chirp on about her varicose operation, now you could engage her in text chat, share her medical files or even engage in video chat if she's near a Skype-enabled PC. Even if she's still in hospital, or you're out of the country, with services such as SkypeOut and SkypeIn, you could keep in touch via regular telephones.
At a technical level, Skype differs from most other VoIP clients in that it doesn't use a server to client model; instead it uses peer-to-peer technology to offer its phone and associated services. Depending on your network configuration, this does mean that there's a possibility that simply running the Skype client (without making calls) could involve using some of your data allowance.
Features and costs
Skype in its modern form lives and breathes on broadband connections -- and the faster the better. If you're using a shared broadband connection, we'd suggest 512Kbps minimum, with as few other network connections active while you're trying to make voice calls. Its decentralised nature can make call quality somewhat spotty -- but then the same problems can plague more traditional server-client VoIP platforms as well.
Skype's success is based on its flexibility to work over many different network connections and its support for multiple operating systems, not to mention the fact that it costs basically next to nothing. Downloading Skype is free along with calls to any other Skype member around the world, however, the newer premium features do involve charges.
SkypeOut
SkypeOut is a prepaid credit service that lets you use your Skype software (and any related hardware) to call real world phones. Rates vary quite widely -- and the company by default bills in Euros, which can make exact call costs variable depending on daily exchange rates. If you make a lot of Australian-based calls, you should also consider any of the locally-based VoIP providers, many of whom offer flat-fee untimed calling rates for local numbers; by default Skype charges in timed blocks.
SkypeIn
SkypeIn is the inverse of SkypeOut; for a fee you get a listed phone number that anyone (on Skype or not) can call. Calls are then routed through Skype to your connection, but critically, Skype doesn't care where you actually are. As a result, you could set up a London phone number for your Sydney home, and all your UK relatives could call that number at local call rates, oblivious to your hemispheric change.
Skype also offers a premium service (Skype Pro) which combines the features of SkypeIn, SkypeOut and adds Skype To Go, which lets you subsititute a local number for an international one, and make calls (most notably International mobile phone calls) at a much lower rate than you would otherwise pay.
Skype Prime
Although it's still in Beta, Skype Prime opens up another source of revenue for Skype -- and potentially a potent source of information and education for Skype users. It's a pay-per-minute phone service run by the users, with Skype taking a cut of the Prime "fee" paid. Skype's typical example of a Prime service would be to take guitar or language lessons, both of which would be technically feasible, especially given the text and file transfer features of the Skype protocol.
Other Operating Systems
Skype is somewhat OS-independent, although the exact range of features on offer differs slightly, and as a general rule the Windows releases tend to support the widest range of features. As an example, at the time of writing, the Mac OS X client, 2.6 doesn't offer the same video features (downloading clips and taking screenshots) as the 3.5 Windows version. Basic features such as chat and IM are supported cross platform, and for Skype-to-Skype conversations the platform is irrelevant and the price is still on the nice side of free.
Skype on my mobile?
Some newer mobile phone models offer Skype compatibility, although you'll need to be careful weighing up the costs; while Skype uses data, the costs associated on some mobile services could make the equivalent mobile call cheaper. It's also possible to use Skype credit to send SMSes to mobile phones, but only if the Skype user you're sending to has added their mobile phone details to their Skype profile.
Security issues
Skype claims that all calls are heavily encrypted, so the odds of your net telephony being bugged seem low. In security terms, it's also worth carefully considering which information you want to add to your Skype profile -- it's always accessible for any of Skype's 220 million users, which does open up a potential minefield of privacy implications. When in doubt, don't put anything in your Skype profile that you wouldn't be willing to paint on the side of your house -- they're both about as visible as each other.
Hardware and accessories
Aside from a PC, broadband connection and the latest Skype client, the other thing you'll need is some form of speaker and microphone. Here the sky's the limit; you could opt for a cheap $10 headset, but you'll be tethered to your computer when you do so. Slightly more upmarket options include wireless headsets or USB Skype phones that plug in and use a regular phone-style keypad.
You're also no longer restricted to just running Skype on your PC, or having to have it switched on all the time to take advantage of Skype's features. A growing number of manufacturers offer Skype-compatible phones that work independently of your PC, either via direct connection to a router or via your home WiFi network. We've gathered some of our most recent reviews below to help you choose which Skype peripherals are best for you:
Netgear SPH101 Wi-Fi Skype Phone
If you're hopeless Skypeaholic with a home Wi-Fi router, the SPH101 is your dream product. If you're a budget minded VoIP fanatic, maybe not.
ASUS AiGuru S1
A simple to use wireless VoIP handset for Skype users that doubles as a music player.
Philips VOIP321 Skype Phone
Avid Skype users that aren't quite willing to ditch their landline are sure to appreciate the flexibility that Philips' VOIP321 handset provides.
Logitech Premium USB Headset 350
A premium USB headset with excellent sound quality and comfort.
Sennheiser PC30 Headset
The Sennheiser PC30 is the perfect addition to a VoIP capable PC but also has the additional functionality and support for voice recognition and music.
TRENDnet ClearSky TVP-SP1BK
Solid finish and wireless capability makes the TRENDnet ClearSky very desirable.
Olympia DUALphone
A stylish cordless phone that can handle Skype as well as conventional landline applications.
Doro 255IPC
Excellent sound quality, a competitive price and user friendly setup make the Doro 225IPC a worthy choice for a voice over IP handset.
Yappermouse
The Yappermouse delivers on its promise of being a mouse that talks, although it'll only talk to the Skype network. It's not without its flaws, and we'd like to see a slightly lower local pricing model, but if you need a speakerphone for travelling and can handle looking a bit ridiculous, it's not a bad buy.
Linksys CIT400 Skype Phone
The Linksys CIT400 allows you to make both land-line and Skype calls, all without a PC.
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Seedsman1661
27/08/2007 11:12 PM
I have a new computer and I can't load Skype as an old user. Why not ?
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suzannemalcolm
12/11/2007 05:22 PM
Hoping it will all work
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Burcombe
30/03/2008 06:23 PM
Please note that our email address has chaned to: nfburcombe1@bigpond.com
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