Conference calls, talking to my friends and co-workers, and a relatively small minutes plan from AT&T have led to my rapid burning-through of rollover minutes.
Seeing my stash deplete like leftover Chinese food foolishly forgotten and left unattended in the fridge, I decided to make a radical move: get Skype.
Why was this radical, you say? Well, I had heard that, in some situations, the quality is questionable. In others, call drops have been experienced. In other words, I had been hearing from all angles that the service is sketchy.
Let me tell you - for the past few weeks, it has been GREAT, and I'd like to tell you the top reasons why I'm so pleased with my first experiences with Skype.
#5. For a geek, it isn't so bad to not have a true landline
Let's face it, I'm always on my computer. I don't care that I have to go to my computer to check whether I received a call. In fact, it's better. No annoying permanent ringing phone, no need to unplug a phone line. I can just change a simple setting.
And, if I wanted to free myself from the USB headset I'm currently using, I can just get a Skype enabled Wi-Fi phone. Convenience problem solved.
#4. The software is super easy to use
Enough said here. The Mac client works smoothly and is highly customizable. It saves my call history and can even tap into the Mac Address Book. It notifies me clearly when I receive a call or a message. I imagine that it has similar capabilities on the PC.
#3. It works like a real phone, only better and with more features
For an extra $24 per year (or $2 per month), I was able to obtain a real local number that anyone, anywhere, can call. I also have fully functioning voicemail, that can easily be listened to and deleted via the software.
The integrated SMS (requires that you pay extra, which I don't do, but it's a nice feature) and texting make it more full features than just an average phone.
#2. The quality has been much better than I expected
As I mentioned before, I got a whole lot of FUD from people about the Skype service. Mixed reviews abound.
Through multiple, highly regulated tests to my friends, family, and various vendors for services I use, I have gotten the same response from all of them - I sound great. Even my father, who is an audio engineer by trade, reports that the audio quality "sounds like it's digitally compressed, like a cellphone, but comes through quite clear."
If you test the service byhaving someone call you while they are in the other room, you will note a slight delay, but this has no effect when the person is not standing right next to you.
In addition, the audio quality of my call recipients coming through my headphones was absolutely crystal clear, every time, without exception.
So much for FUD!
#1. It's cheap and has no strings attached
Who can turn down $2.99 per month for unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada? (Well, virtually unlimited, it is governed by fair use - but if you're going through 10,000 minutes a month... I can't help you, or your vocal cords.)
I repeat - $2.99 per month. THAT'S CHEAP, FOLKS. For virtually unlimited calling. It would have cost me a lot more through Comcast. Saving almost $30 per month? Totally worth it.
And for international users, there is a world plan available for about $10 per month.
The monthly plans contain no contract, so you can cancel anytime you like. You get a discount if you purchase farther in advance.
Wrapping It All Up
Overall, despite some very minor and infrequent complaints (I did have one call drop, for example) Skype is a great home phone solution for me, and most likely for others as well. One caveat is that Skype does not offer emergency calling, so you should still have another solution available in your home to make emergency calls before relying on Skype for your "landline" (my cellphone supports this, so I'm all set.)
And, if worse comes to worse, you can cancel the service easily, as there does not have to be a monthly contract.
Happy VoIPing!
Comments
I beta tested a VOIP phone
I beta tested a VOIP phone and was very impressed with the quality. I am looking at relacinmg what I have now. Thanks for your info it certainly helps!
You're welcome. I was really
You're welcome. I was really excited to find a virtually unlimited phone system that would save me almost $30 per month over a landline.
Another thing I would love to try would be a Wi-Fi Skype phone. There are lots of models out there. Has anyone heard about the Wi-Fi Skype phones and if they are any good?
I've been using the free
I've been using the free version of Skype since January of this year when my boyfriend (at the time) traveled to Ecuador for a month. When you call computer to computer it's totally and completely free and it includes a video component! Just set up a screen name and password and it's no restrictions (even out of the country!) There are so many uses: keep in touch face to face with worried parents when you're traveling, bring long distance friends that are too broke to afford a plane ticket to your event right to the action visually and auditorially, and the always popular naughty encounter with your special someone.
Aside from the wonderful video phone aspect, you can easily send files. Depending on your connection, you can send a movie file (over 1 gigabit) in under 20 minutes!
Moreover, I have Skype on my MacBook (Leopard operating system) and on my Frankenstein PC (by Frankenstein I mean it's an old Gateway computer that has been chopped up, parts replaced, and revamped but is still a complete piece of poop) and Skype works equally well with both.
I love the free version of Skype and have all my friends and family hooked on it.
Ha, it's funny that you
Ha, it's funny that you mention that you got your friends and family hooked on Skype. After a few times of mentioning it, it was easy for me to get my father hooked on Skype... now we have an easy way to chat, and since we're both computer nerds, it works out great.
If I were you, I would give the paid monthly SkypeOut subscription a try. You get more minutes than you can shake a stick at for about $3. I've had great luck with it!