With the high cost of using cell phones while traveling, many people are looking for other options to keep in touch with friends and family without incurring several hundred dollars in roaming charges. One of the best resources I have found is the use of a program called Skype, which allows users to talk to other Skype users for free or on the phone for a nominal fee.
What is Skype?
Skype, an eBay owned company, is a software program that allows instant messaging, voice calls, text messaging, and even webcam capability. They describe their software as:
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
Main Features of Skype
- Free Skype to Skype calls
- Free instant messaging
- Free video calling
- Call landlines and cell phones
- send SMS messages
- Voicemail capability
- Forward calls to a phone when you are offline
Skype to Skype calls, instant messaging, and webcam calls are always free, no matter where you are in the world. For voice calls, and text messages to a phone number, they offer pay as you go plans as well as monthly subscription options.
What Equipment is Needed to Use Skype
Skype works on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS systems. You must have a broadband connection and if you do not have a built in microphone and speakers, you will need a headset. I recommend a Skype headset anyway, especially if you use it somewhere in public. You certainly do not want everyone around you hearing your conversation or risk annoying others as you basically have a conversation on speakerphone. If your computer does not have a built in webcam and you want to have visual conversations, then you will need to invest in an external one. Webcams range in price from cheap ones around $20 or so up to ones in the $100+ range. My current laptop has a built in webcam, and microphone/speakers, so I just had to invest in a nice headset, which I found at the local electronics store for $20. One note about the headset though, be sure to purchase one that is designed for computer use. This means the headset will need separate plugs for a microphone and speakers.
The software is available direct on Skype.com and it is very easy to download and install. Once you have downloaded the software, there is a step-by-step guide on the website to help you with understanding the features of Skype.
Add-on Skype Services that Cost Money
The ability to call landline phones and cell phones around the world is the biggest benefit to using Skype when you travel like I do. You can purchase $10 at a time and it will automatically recharge another $10 if you are in the middle of a call and close to running out of funds. The cost is very cheap, especially if you register yourself with the country you will be calling most. I registered as a US user so when I call my parents from Taiwan, it costs $0.02 a minute. Other country rates are reasonable as well, making this my primary mode for communication while abroad.
There are options where you can choose to have your own phone number registered for a low monthly fee. You can then give that number to people and they can call you directly on your computer, like a normal landline or cell phone. With that option, you can have voicemail and even forward calls that come in through Skype to another number.
I’ve now seen where consumers can purchase Skype enabled cell and landline phones. I have not read any reviews on them so I cannot comment on how well those options work, but my guess is they are effective since there is a variety of options available now. Recent news reports in the last week indicate that the iPhone will now have Skype capability as well, much to AT&T’s disappointment.
I’ve been using Skype for a year now and it definitely helped my relationship with my fiance! Since we were dating long-distance while he was working in Holland and I was living in California, this was the best way for us to talk without going broke. We would be able to talk for several hours a day and incur no charges since we were both using Skype. And if I needed him to call me on the regular phone, I could send a text message through Skype so he would call (my company issued cell phone had international calling/messaging blocked, so I could not call him directly).
Skype is great for keeping in touch with my family, but I also used the service to make conference calls into work a few times. I wanted to test the clarity of calls at home since we were experimenting with cost saving initiatives at work as well. The call was clear so no one was aware I was using my computer versus a cell phone or my office line. Many of the corporate conference call lines people use today are similar voice over IP (VOIP) technology. Vonage is another service that utilizes VOIP as well. Skype has just made it even more affordable to use, allowing more people to keep in touch with loved ones and do business from around the world.
