How to VoIP to Malaysia

VoIP enables users to talk to each other over the Internet.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) refers to methods for voice communications and multimedia sessions over the Internet. Using a computer or VoIP device like a VoIP phone, a user can make phone calls to a contact in Malaysia free or for cheap international rates, depending on the device on which the user in Malaysia is receiving the call.

Instructions

Skype

1. Download Skype. Visit the website (see Resources) and download Skype for the device on which you wish to make VoIP calls. This can include a PC, mobile phone or TV. Skype will guide you through the download procedure. Install the downloaded program on your hard drive.

2. Open Skype on the device. Create a Skype account. This will require you to create a username and password. To search for contacts on Skype, use the search facility by typing in a person's name, or you can import contacts from your Microsoft Entourage or Mac Address Book.

3. Add your contact in Malaysia if she has a Skype username. Do this by going to the "Contacts" menu, selecting "Add a Contact" and entering her Skype name or phone number in Malaysia, enter the contact's name, phone number in Malaysia and specify "Malaysia +60" in the drop-down menu. She will then be added to your contacts.

4. Double-click on the contact to call him. If he is a Skype user receiving the call on Skype, this is free. If the call is being made to a phone line in Malaysia, the call will be charged at $0.03 per minute to a Malaysian landline or $0.07 per minute for calls to a Malaysian mobile number as of 2010. Credit can be topped up in your Skype account online.

Yahoo!

1. Visit the Yahoo! Messenger website (see Resources) and download it. Yahoo! will analyze your system to determine your download type for Windows or Mac. Click the "Download Now" button to begin the download. Install Yahoo! Messenger on your system.

2. Open Yahoo! Messenger. If you do not have a Yahoo! account, you must create one when prompted, which will additionally give you a Yahoo! email address. You will then be signed in to Yahoo! Messenger.

3. Add your Malaysian contact. Click on the "+" sign in the main window. Enter the Malaysian contact's messenger ID. You can also add her name and email address. If you are intending to call the user on a phone line, you need to create a Yahoo! Voice account. Navigate to the Yahoo! Voice website (see"Resources) and sign up for a Yahoo! Voice account where a wizard will guide you through the setup process and you can add funds to your account.

4. Double-click on the Malaysian contact to bring up a conversation window. At the top of the window, click the "Voice and SMS" icon. Select "Start Voice Conversation" or "Call <Contact Name's> Phone." A voice conversation to another user will be connected immediately. If you select the phone option, you will be prompted to enter a phone number. Do this, remembering to enter the Malaysian code of "+60" ahead of the number. Click the green "Call" button and you will be connected to your contact in Malaysia. Voice calls to Malaysia cost $0.022, with a $0.019 rate to Kuala Lumpur and $0.049 rate to mobile phones as of 2010. Calls to another Yahoo! Messenger user on Yahoo! are free.

Tips & Warnings

• VoIP call quality is dependent on Internet speed.

References

• Skype: VoIP Explained

Resources

• Skype
• Yahoo! Messenger: Download
• Yahoo! Voice