What's the Hype About Skype?

Have you heard about Skype? Perhaps a friend or relative is urging you to download the program so you can call each other over the internet for free. But what is it?

Skype is an internet phone service that offers both a free version as well as a paid version. Naturally, each version has different features with the paid version being the fully loaded option. First, let's see what you can get for free and why you might want to do so.

With the free version, you can call other Skype users, make video phone calls to other users, have one-to-one chats or group chats with other users, forward calls to other Skype names, and have a conference call with up to nine users. These features require internet access, the Skype software, a microphone and headset or a phone designed for use with the Skype software.

The paid version of Skype offers the ability to make unlimited calls to any phone in the United States or Canada for a low fee regardless if the other person is a Skype user or not. The Skype Unlimited plan currently costs $29.95 for the entire year. Compare this annual fee to your monthly telephone and long distance bills and you can see how much money you'll save by switching to a broadband telephone service such as this.

If you make numerous international calls, Skype offers low per-minute fees for worldwide calling. Remember the old days of calling Europe and incurring huge long distance bills? Those days are numbered because with Skype, today you can call over 30 worldwide destinations for just 2.1 cents per minute. The Skype website has a detailed list of their international rates that you can examine before signing up. For example, if you call Russia a lot, look at the rates and compare those to what you are currently paying. Currently, calls to Moscow will cost you 2.1 cents per minute while a call to a mobile phone in Russia will cost 7.1 cents per minute.

You can also purchase SkypeIn which comes with free Skype voicemail. SkypeIn gives you an actual phone number that your non-Skype using family and friends can use to call you directly. This option allows you to receive free calls from non-Skype users for a set quarterly or annual fee.

Other handy paid features include the ability to send and receive voicemails, forward calls to phones at Skype rates, and send SMS messages from Skype. Goodies that don't cost too much include ringtones, pictures for your profile, gift certificates and accessories.

In addition to using Skype for inexpensive phone service, you can use Skype to connect with other users via chats, create or participate in Skypecasts (large, hosted calls using Skype), make video calls and more.

A Skype Business Control Panel is available for companies who want to save money on their phone bills as well. This option allows businesses to set up Skype users in their company, distribute Skype credit to these users, and buy and distribute SkypeIn phone numbers so that others can call your business from traditional and cellular phones.

If you are concerned about downloading Skype for fear of spyware or adware, that is a reasonable concern. Today, spyware programs and adware are running rampant and are a serious threat to your privacy and your computer's security. Skype makes a big point throughout their webpage to reassure users that their software does not contain either of these malicious programs. As with any software you download from the internet, make sure to carefully review their terms of service and privacy policies. In addition, it's a smart idea for any internet-connected computer to have current anti-spyware and security software installed and in active use.

The internet phone revolution is on and Skype is a big contender. You can save hundreds of dollars each year by switching from traditional phone service to an internet-based solution such as Skype. Whether you simply want to call other users for free or get unlimited calling to anyone for a low annual fee, you will be many dollars ahead.