[kelly]

Hi,

I've heard a lot about Skype being used for cheap international calls and I have no idea what Skype is and how it works. Can anyone help with this?

[Cliff]

I would recommend skype. To use it, you need a computer and a microphone (which is cheap to buy). Then is it simply a matter of going to skype.com (http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/getconnected/) and signing up and getting an account. The website is easy to understand and you will be guided through the process from there.

Once you have an account you can add contacts – people you know who also have accounts. When they are online you can chat with them for free.:)

If you want to call a landline you will need to buy credits. It’s still far better value than using a normal phone.

[Sam66]

You can use your internet connection with skype and turn your computer into an internet phone and make free Skype-to-Skype calls. All you need to do is download the software from the Skype website and register.

You (and your friend) will need to have a headset (or use your computer's built-in microphone and speakers) to talk to each other. It's really simple.

You can also use Skype to make cheap calls to phones and mobiles.

[sunny35]

It sounds good that it's free, but how do you arrange timings with Skype so that you are both your computers at the same time?

[littlekoalabear]

Skype-to-skype calling is free: there is also the ability to save messages and caller ID, etc.

International Calling: each country is a separate fee, but very reasonably priced from $4.95 to $9.95 per month. Australia from U.S. is about $6 per month.

I think also that if you sign up right now you will get a free month of calls as a promotion. The hardest thing is getting your friends to sign up for skype. All you do is pick a skype name and you can search for people all over the world.

[scotty]

When you can't make free Skype-to-Skype calls, here's a list of Skype charges by country.

http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/callrates/?currency=AUD#listing-U

[Cliff]

.......but how do you arrange timings with Skype so that you are both your computers at the same time?

If you leave your speakers on the computer rings just like a telephone or if their computer/Skype is not on, then a quick phone call fixes that, and the rest of the call is free.

[Thongs of Praise]

An article from today's Sydney Morning Herald:

Shock threat to shut Skype

eBay says it may have to shut down Skype due to a licensing dispute with the founders of the internet telephony service.

The surprise admission puts a cloud over the 40 million active daily users around the world who use Skype for business or to keep in touch with friends and far-flung relatives.

A recent study by market researcher TeleGeography found Skype carried about 8 per cent of all international voice traffic, making it the world’s largest provider of cross-border voice communications.

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/shock-threat-to-shut-skype-20090731-e3qe.html

[Cliff]

eBay says it may have to shut down Skype due to a licensing dispute with the founders of the internet telephony service.Get using it now while you can! It's free for Skype-to-Skype calls..

[littlekoalabear]

I am having troubles with my Skype landline. My phone number is a Sydney number, but for some reason there is delay or conversion problems it is either dropping the calls or causing a long pause at the beginning. Just wondering if anyone else had this problem and whether anyone would be willing to call me to help me figure it out. It would be a local call if you are in the Sydney area? If you are thinking about calling The U.S. it might be a good way to test out your plan. Let me know, thanks.