Voice Over IP Articles

Skype Review- Skype is one of the leading VoIP providers. In this Skype review by Best VoIP Review we are going to discuss what is Skype and the Skype options. Best VoIP Review hopes that you get all you want to know about Skype out of this Skype review.

Skype comes in several different flavors for Windows, Vista, Pocket PC, Mac OS X, and Linux. All the forms of Skype presuppose that you have access to a landline or a mobile phone at all times. In other words, Skype is not a complete phone package option. But this does not mean that it is not a) useful and b) capable of saving you a lot of money. Read on for more information about Skype.

Skype Basics

The first thing to know about Skype is that you cannot make 911 calls on it. It is a matter of fact and a matter of policy. This is because Skype is not capable of transmitting information required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) your location and a callback number for VoIP "interconnected" services.

The second thing to know about Skype is that there is no guarantee for Quality of Service (QoS). Skype explains this as being due to the fact that calls travel over paths that are beyond its control, including your network and the public Internet, but they suggest that router settings may be able to offer some control for this.

The third thing to know is that, besides Help materials, Customer Service for Skype exists through its support form, which is only found after going through an obstacle course including two rounds of "Get More Help" on the website. Once there, signing in with your name and password is supposed to get you to a form. However, when I tried it in the course of writing this article, it provided a message saying it was unavailable.

The fourth and fifth things to know are that although your calls are encrypted, your communication may be routed through other users in the peer-to-peer network.

The fourth thing to know about Skype is that it can be deployed in a variety of ways and is fairly reliable for not only audio, but also text, and video chat across the world, so if you can deal with the first three basics, you may find it a very valuable asset.

Skype Set-up Options

• Computer-to-Computer To link from one computer to another, you download the Skype software, install it, find or add contacts all familiar tasks. That done, you click on a person’s name or "handle," in your contact list, and choose from the drop-down menu that allows you to call, start a text chat, start a video chat, if both have a web cam enabled, or view a chat history. Skype can either be connected to your Internet via a cable or via Wi-Fi. All computer-to-computer calls for users who both have the free Skype software are free.

•　Computer-Landline Phone or Computer-Mobile

From within the same program used to make computer-to-computer calls, you can make phone calls to landlines and mobile phones. How much these cost depends on whether you choose a monthly subscription that allows unlimited calls to selected landlines or pay as you go, for which you pay by the minute.

• Skype Mobile

Skype has been designed specifically for four different phones as of early 2010:

• iPhone

• Nokia N800/N810

• Nokia N900

• Symbian

In addition, Skype is available for the PlayStation® Portable (PSP®).

In all these cases, access is restricted to Wi-Fi hotspots or home wireless networks, and Skype to Skype calls are free. Calls to landlines and mobile phones , as well as text messages, are available in a subscription service or a pay-as-you-go service.

• Skype Phone

• Several phones now come with Skype built in. These include:• Cordless phones to allow you to talk on Skype around your house without having to be at your computer (as long as you have a wireless network and stay within range)
• 3 Skypephone s1 and 3Skypephone s2, from 3, with either six month contract or pay-as-you-go arrangements. Availability of these phones is limited to particular countries
• Wi-Fi phones are phones that allow you to use Skype, and any other software programs you may have, as long as you are connected to an available wireless network. 　
• Dual-mode phones are phones that double as Wi-Fi phones and cell phones.

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