Skype Information

Skype offers an innovative means of communication with your family, friends and business associates. Skype technology utilizes your Internet connection instead of land lines or cellular phones to make calls. If you are a frequent traveler, you can download the program onto your laptop or cell phone and use Skype wherever you go.

Free Download

Before you can place your first call on Skype, you must download the software either to your computer, laptop or cell phone. The software is free, and you only have to download it one time per device. Once you've downloaded the program, proceed with choosing your user name and password. You will need both to log in and use Skype.

Calling Features

With Skype, you can converse through instant messaging and place voice and video calls between other Skype users and even non-users. Businesses may find the video conferencing feature especially useful (you supply your own web camera). You also can import your existing list of contacts from your Yahoo! or Outlook/Outlook Express accounts.

Applicable Fees

The Skype service is free of charge between Skype users. Fees do apply, however, if you want to use Skype to chat with others who are not currently using Skype. In these cases, your calls would reach them either on their land lines or cell phones. Skype users have the option to pay for each call separately or be billed for the service each month.

Slower Connections

If you currently use a dial-up connection to access the Internet, Skype might not be the best option for you. It is possible you will experience interruptions due to the slower connectivity of your modem. Skype technology is designed to work on higher-speed connections.

Other Disadvantages

The clarity of phone calls may at times suffer on international calls. This is especially evident if the person you are talking to lives in a country that does not have an efficient broadband connection. If you subscribe to a long-distance plan on your land line, you may opt to use that or a calling card to place these particular calls instead.

References

• Make free calls and set your conversations free with Skype