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Thread: Skype.

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    Spodes Henchman unrealrocks's Avatar
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    Skype.

    I heard about this a while ago but it didn't really apeal to me. My gf is going to australia for 3 weeks tomorrow and now a 1.7p/min callrate suddenly became very interesting

    Is there any catch or can I really call her on a landline in AU for 1.7p/min?

    After having a quick click around, seems I can pay with PayPal which is all good, although it keeps saying '€10 - Buy this'. Can I 'topup' with less or more than €10? Also do they take off the cost of PayPal?

    Whats the lag/quality like? Anything else I should be wary of?

    Cheers for your answers in advance

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    Senior Member ajbrun's Avatar
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    I've never used it, but AFAIK, there's no catch. Since you're using the internet, it's like sending an email - it's the same price (and speed) where ever you are n the world. I saw a documentary on skype and voip on BBC 2 a while back, and all the people using it were very positive about it, athough I suppose that was the programmes aim.

    If I was in your position, I'd as least try it - it's not much for a headset and a few minutes call time.

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    It works OK mostly but sometimes has some problems with echo and poor sound.
    Good value and I use it regularly cos it saves me a fortune to OZ and some other countries.

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    You can pay just 1p per minute on an ordinary phone

    Really not trying to put you off of using Skype - I regard it as a very useful tool - but a cheaper way to call Australia (indeed, I suspect the cheapest way to call to anywhere outside the UK), is to use one of the special-rate lines that are always available - if you know the right numbers to call.

    Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert web site has a page you can go to, to discover the current cheapest rate for calls (landline or mobile) overseas.

    1p per minute seems to be the current best deal(s).

    Check out that page here and do remember to bookmark it (or add it to your favourites, if using IE).

    Bob C

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    Do you need broadband for this or can it work on good old dial up?

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    Didn't see Bob's post when i posted.

    Thanks. Good link to this site. I think he may be a guest on BBC Radio 2 at midday on Friday until 2pm.

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    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rolph
    Do you need broadband for this or can it work on good old dial up?
    It will work on dial up, but (obviously!) the quality is lower as it uses a different codec. If the posters wife is going to Australia and has access to a PC with Skype on it, then Skype to Skype calls are free. It does work - and works well. The big advantage is that it it is VERY easy to set up, it works through most firewalls stright after installation. Its avialbale on Windows, Mac, Windows PDA and Linux. From a purist point of view it uses closed proprietary protocols, so it only works Skype to Skype, or Skype to PSTN - you can't call other VoIP users who are using the SIP protocols - but for the posters purpose, it would be ideal, remembering that he will have to initiate the call to her landline. (Its actually 1.7Cents (Euro cents) a minute, which is just over 1p/min), plus VAT at 16% (as it is billed in (I think) Luxemburg))
    Last edited by peterb; 09-09-2005 at 11:24 AM.

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    I've been using Skype for a while now. I still can't believe that something so good can be free! Then again, I used to say that about Agile Messenger (which certainly isn't free any more!).

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    Hexus.net Troll Dougal's Avatar
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    I used my 10 free skype minutes to speak to my sister on her mobile in Canada.

    She was getting perfect voice from me, and I was getting slightly dodgy from her because it was raining.

    Superb service and the PC-PC stuff is great for ingames.
    Quote Originally Posted by Errr...me
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    I'ave used it a couple of times, thought the sound quality would be miles better than MSN Messenger but couldn't really tell the difference...

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    When comparing calling card-type services with the likes of Skype, you have to remember to factor in whether you're calling an 0800 number or not (if you dial 0800 then it's just the headline rate you pay per minute, while some other calling services you have to phone a local-rate number, and need to include that cost when working out the per-minute rates). Skype, and other VoIP services don't have this issue, so it's just the headline rate you pay per minute.
    My one big tip for Skype is to not put your full details in their White Pages... I gather you can end up getting calls from european hookers and the like if you're not careful. I didn't get that, but I got lots of calls from random people, and when registering a new account I avoided their directory listings and haven't had any problems like that since.
    There are quite a few alternatives to Skype now, many which use SIP, which is a much more open standard. They're mostly not quite as straightforward to get up and running with, but most SIP accounts can call other SIP network accounts. Sipgate.co.uk offers a free local-rate UK number that people can phone your account on, which is handy if you want a local (e.g. London) number which you can pick up from work and home without a monthly contract.

  12. #12
    not posting kempez's Avatar
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    I love Skype. I have been using it a while to speak to other with the service and its always very clear - even to US and Aus people (I'm in UK)
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    Hexus.net Troll Dougal's Avatar
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    The phone book is fun.

    Mate of mine rang up a canadian bloke and said he was his long lost brother.

    Then he rang some random girl and they got chatting and they're meeting up next month.
    Quote Originally Posted by Errr...me
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    • toadoftoadhall's system
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    no catch , and there are lots of companies doing it now.

    you can of course use the internet, and use msn messanger if she has access to a computer, and if you both have webcams, you can see each other too. And its free if you both are on adsl

    toad

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    Skype is a reasonable product but you have to have your PC on to use it so for one way calling or a limited persiod (such as while your girlfriend is away) its as good as any of the services.

    If you use it longer term and have a router would suggest using an IP phone (I use a Grandstream). Expensive to buy (around £60) but it behaves like a normal phone and anyone can use it ay any time. If you go this way would suggest checking out http://www.sipgate.co.uk/ who also provide you with a local UK phone number free of charge.

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