Skype - Free International Calling is One Click Away

Skype is an Internet-based program that allows user to connect with each other for free. If two users have an account with Skype and a computer with an Internet connection, they can call and/or video conference from anywhere in the world. If one user has access to Skype, he/she can call United States toll free numbers without charge and any other land line or cellular for pennies per minute.

I first started using Skype in 2005 when my brother was deployed to Iraq. Whenever he had an opportunity to hook his laptop up to an Internet connection, we were able to chat for free. He did not have a video camera on his PC (it was 2005, after all), but it was nice to talk to him. I was at the mercy of his schedule and was not necessarily by a computer when he was ready to call. So he was also able to contact me on my cell phone for less than two cents per minute. He loaded the money into his Skype account and it deducted based on calls. There are no connection fees like you get using calling cards.

I was recently sent to Eastern Europe and did not bring my laptop. I spent about fifty dollars on calling cards during that trip in order to stay in touch with my family. I remember wishing I had brought my laptop, but I hadn't used Skype since my brother was last deployed (he went again in 2007). I am planning a trip to Egypt next month and decided it was time to upgrade to a laptop with a webcam so I can video conference with my family while I am gone. I purchased an inexpensive eMachines 1162 from Wal-Mart for $228. After downloading Skype, I took it for a ride. I called my son's account (he has the video camera I used when my brother was deployed) and the video was crystal clear. The sound quality was crisp. The camera movement was seamless and did not give me that dreaded buffer symbol. In a word, it was a high quality audio and video connection.

My brother-in-law is spending Christmas in China. I called him two nights ago, after seeing he had a Skype account (I checked the email addresses for everyone in my address book). It was morning time and he was just getting ready to go out on the town. He was talking to the airlines when I called and could not answer my call. Because Skype isn't strictly a VOIP, he was able to text message me while his call remained active, using Skype. He notified me that he was on a call and would respond when he was finished. He called me back and we had another good chat...free. His Internet connection appeared to be slower than mine and the video was a bit grainy and jumpy, but it was still a decent call. The voice aspect of the call was flawless.

Skype also has video conferencing and voice conferencing where users can add additional callers. This is great for calling family members in distant cities and "getting together" for a chat. Because my family is spread out, this is a great tool. There are other add-on products available through Skype, like gaming, but I do not use those utilities. Skype is Internet based (www.skype.com) with free downloads and no usage limits. For anyone already connected to the Internet, it's like free long distance (or local) telephone service. The money I will save on calling cards will cover a decent percentage of the money I laid out for the netbook. If you haven't tried Skype, what have you got to lose?