Skype is a great way to save money on your telephone bill. The service is widely used as a communication tool to reach out to friends and business associates around the world. Best of all, the program is FREE (my favorite 4 letter word!), as are many telephone calls. In addition, you are able to hold a Skype video conference with anyone in the world who has Internet access, and yes, for FREE.
Before you all flock to their website (www.skype.com) to download the program, there are certain things you must know about the service, what truly is free and what is not.
What is Free
1. Skype to Skype. Calls placed from your FREE Skype account to another Skype user on the computer.
2. Calls to and from any hand-held device with wi-fi capability such as an I-Phone that is within range of a wi-fi network. Not all blackberry phones have wi-fi capability. Check with your provider (Verizon, AT&T, etc.). Also check your minutes used plan.
3. Video conferencing with both parties using their Skype account.
What is Not
1. Skype calls to land-lines and mobile phones.
2. Skype calls from Mobile phones without wi-fi capability. Internet access through a cell phone carrier (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) is a different network.
Although calls using Skype to landlines and cell phones are not free, the rates are significantly lower than calling from either your landline or cell phone. For example International rates are as low as $.02 cents a minute depending on where you are calling. Calls to cell phones are usually higher but still significantly lower than standard telephone rates.