Free Telephone Calls With Skype

Free Telephone Calls With Skype – November 2008

Skype is free software that allows you to turn your computer into an Internet phone and make free calls to other Skype users.  Calls to non-Skype users are very inexpensive.  The installation is easy and the software can be downloaded at www.skype.com.  Get those you wish to communicate with to do the same.  Add them to your contact list and you are ready to go.  Contacts can also be imported from Microsoft Outlook®, Outlook Express®, GMail™ or your Yahoo® email account.

Other free services include video calls, transferring and forwarding calls to other Skype users, instant messaging, group chats and conference calls with up to 25 people.  For $2.95 per month you get 10,000 calling minutes per month to make calls to any phone in the US and Canada.  Calls can be made any time of day and any day of the week.  With the monthly subscription you get $30 off the purchase of a 12-month online number and $6 off the purchase of a 3-month online number.  Without a subscription this would cost $60 and $18 respectively.  An online number allows you to receive calls from non-users.  There may be charges for other services.  Skype also offers a pay-as-you-go option though it is less competitive than the monthly plan.

All the information transferred over Skype is encrypted so it is secure.  Skype also works with the major antivirus software to scan inbound and outbound file transfers.  There is no need to make an inbound hole in your firewall to use this product and permission-based communication settings prevent most spam from getting through.

Once Skype is loaded on your computer, you can use your computer’s microphone to talk and speakers to listen.  For clearer audio, a headset is recommended.  If you want to do video conferencing, a webcam is needed.  Other equipment that can be used with Skype includes desktop, cordless and cell phones.  Check the Skype website or ask us to make sure your hardware is compatible with Skype.

Skype integrates with Microsoft Outlook® and Microsoft Office®.  In Outlook you can click-and-call Skype contacts and phone numbers directly from an email.  You can add a Skype button to your email signature and instant message your reply.  Files can be transferred directly from Office and you can call a number that appears in a document or spreadsheet.

One of the best things about Skype is that you can try it for free.  If you like it, check the Skype website or ask us for the rate package that best suits your needs.