Using a ‘VoIP’ phone service is a good way of lowering the phone bill. It gets even more cheaper if you can use it with your computer or mobile.Let’s take the example of ‘Skype’, a downloadable Voip service and see how it can be used.
As a ‘VoIP’ service Skype offers free: software, audio and video calls on the network and text messaging. Skype can also be used to call people on their land line and mobile numbers. Here are some its features and drawbacks.
Software Compatibility: It has great compatibility. You can use it with Mac, Linux, Windows, mobiles, ‘WiFi’ phones, cordless phones and I Phone. If you can’t leave your computer on to recieve calls, you can buy a stand alone phone with Skype in it and connect it with your internet connection.
Voice mail: Read your messages from anywhere in the world, store and listen later, personalize greeting messages.
Audio and Video Calls: With this feature, you can call your family, friends or business on the network for free. Similarly, it will not cost you anything to make video calls to people sharing the ’Skype’ network.
Outside Network Calls: For 2.95$/ month you can call within U.S and Canada and for 5.95$/ month you can select a country and make calls to your contacts over there. A world wide plan is also available for 12.95$/ month. Currently they are running a special promotion on 3 or 12 month subscriptions which gives you three months of service in the price of two.
Text Messages: You can type your text message using your keyboard and send the message through your ‘VoIP’ network, showing your own mobile number.
Personal Online Number: This feature is very useful if you have friends and family who do not use the same network. They can call you from their land-line or mobile and only pay their standard call rates. For example, your mother lives in Auckland and you are traveling to Melbourne. You could get a number that is connected to the network. So, when your mother calls you she only pays for the standard call charges.
Call Forwarding: You can receive your calls when you are offline and direct incoming calls to ring on your mobile or phone. If your friend is offline but has activated call forwarding you can reach them when they are away from their computer.
Long Distance Calling: You can call world wide to many countries or choose a specific country and call there with the ‘Skype’ packages.
Note: You can make calls via Skype with the in-built speakers and microphones found on most computers but a headset will give much better audio quality.
Drawbacks
A product like ’Skype’ is competition for AT&T. So, ‘iPhone’ users cannot use the Skype service on high-speed 3G wireless network of ‘AT&T’ ; they can use the ‘Skype’ service only at ‘Wi-Fi’ hot spots.
To my knowledge, customer support staff is not a plus point of Skype. You cannot transfer your existing number to the network, but you can get a new number in your area code (it may take more than one try). 911 is not available with Skype.