Save Money With Skype

First launched in 2003, Skype was the pioneer in bringing VoIP technology to the masses. At its core, it is simply a piece of software that you install on your computer that allows you to communicate for free by voice using a headset with other Skype users anywhere in the world that also have Skype installed. In the beginning, that was enough to get people excited and many people signed up for the service even back then. Today it has grown to allow for voice, video, and text communication using a computer, a Skype phone, a standard phone with an adapter, or a smart phone.

Not only that, but the person on the other end doesn’t need to be using a computer at all as Skype can make calls to regular landlines and cell phones and you can even have a standard phone number that will ring you on Skype when somebody calls it. All these features combined make it possible to entirely replace your home phone with Skype, which is something I’ve actually done myself. Oh, and did I mention it is extremely cheap to set up and use?!

Getting Started With Skype

To get started you simply need to download the Skype software and create a new Skype account and then you will immediately be able to make calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world for free. The software is very user friendly and does most of the setup for you by detecting your speakers, microphone, and webcam automatically. Most laptops come with all the hardware you need to make calls right out of the box. However, a proper headset will significantly improve your experience by eliminating echoes, background noise, and increasing sound quality.

Getting The Most From Skype

To get the most from Skype you will probably want to take advantage of some of its many features so you can make as many free calls as possible.

Video Calling

You can easily hook Skype up to a webcam and get in touch with loved ones around the globe complete with video. You will need a high speed internet connection but the quality is usually amazing and it is the next best thing to being face to face with someone.

Call Regular Phones

Calling regular phones is as easy as dialing the number on the Skype virtual keypad on your computer. As long as you have some Skype credit in your account you will be able to call any phone in the world usually for much cheaper than it would cost using your regular long distance provider.

Get A Real Phone Number

For a small yearly fee you can get your own phone number that people can dial from regular telephones. This will cause Skype to ring on your computer whenever the number is dialed. This is great for businesses or if you want to eliminate your home phone and replace it with Skype. Unfortunately this option is not currently available in Canada.

Use Your Smart Phone

Long distance calls and airtime rates can be incredibly high for cell phone users in Canada unless you have an expensive package that includes unlimited long distance and lots of airtime. If you have a data package with your 3G or better internet connected smart phone, then you should be able to download skype for your phone and use it to make and receive calls that don’t use long distance or your monthly allotment of minutes! Even if you don’t have an adequate data package, you can still use Skype when connected to WiFi in your home or through WiFi hotspots in your area.

Use A Dumb Phone

With Skype To Go you can create special phone numbers for your long distance contacts that are local to you. A new number is created for each contact you ad and then you can call that number from any standard phone and it will connect you to that person. This makes using Skype much easier for those people who don’t have Internet connected devices with them all the time.

Identify Yourself

People sometimes don’t like using VoIP or calling cards to make calls because your identity is hidden and people ignore your calls. With Skype caller ID you can assign a phone number to your account so that number will show up whenever you call someone else using Skype.

Free Yourself From The Computer

Apart from using a smart phone or Skype To Go to make calls away from your computer, there are lots of other ways you can distance yourself from the computer while at home:

• Use a Skype adapter that plugs into your computer allowing you to use any standard phone with Skype.
  • This is the cheap $20 adapter that I use personally.
• Use a Bluetooth headset to make and receive Skype calls.
• Use a USB Skype phone plugged into your phone to make and receive calls.
  • See them on Ebay.
  • See a list of Skype phones @ Skype.com
• Use a Skype WiFi phone anywhere there is wireless internet access.

How Much Does It Cost?

Many of the basic features of Skype are free, but they still have to make enough money to stay in business and offer the fantastic service that they do. See the below tables for a breakdown of what features are available for for free and what else you can add on for a price. All rates are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Free Skype Features

Pay Skype Features

Skype Pros And Cons

• Call quality is always amazing as long as you have a good high speed internet connection.
• Lots of people use it so it is easy to find people to connect with.
• The software is easy and intuitive so that any average person can use it.
• Most of the features are free and the ones that aren’t are reasonably priced.
• $2.99 for unlimited calls anywhere in Canada and the USA is really an amazing price.
• Skype software is available for almost any mobile device imaginable; not just iPhones and Android.

• Pay per use rates are decent but some calling cards offer better rates.
• An always on computer is required to truly replace your existing home phone.
• Dedicated Skype phones can be expensive and Skype adapters can be buggy.
• No incoming phone numbers currently available to Canadians.
• No 911 or emergency service which might be a problem if you want to eliminate your home phone.

Check out the rest of Services section for ways to save money on all of your other services!