Phone of the Future

The world of technology moves fast, and nowhere does it change more rapidly than on the Internet. The development of new technology and software seems to happen overnight, and keeping up with all the new gadgets and goodies can be a difficult proposition. The VoIP market or Voice over Internet Protocol market has exploded in recent years, expanding voice communication to global proportions. The vanguard product in this area is Skype.

What is Skype

Skype is a phone service that uses VoIP to send audio and video over a broadband Internet connection instead of using the regular phone lines. This phone service can call and receive calls from anyone in the world, from computer to computer, or to cell phones and landlines. The developers originally called this software "Sky peer-to-peer", abbreviating it to "Skyper." But the name Skyper was already in use in some areas, so they dropped the last letter and stuck with Skype.

Skype works like a standard phone, but it can also be used for video conferencing, instant messaging, text messaging, chatting, file sharing, voicemail , and call forwarding. The only major service that's lacking is an emergency calling service like 911. The Skype software is downloaded onto a computer, and once a user signs up for a Skype account, they need a microphone and speakers, plus a broadband connection and video camera if they care to make video calls as well as audio calls.

Skype Services

Between Skype users, all computer to computer services are free. No phone number is necessary if the calls are made just between computers. If a person needs to contact a non-Skype user on their mobile or landline phone, Skype has features that allow pay-as-you-go or monthly subscriptions. A Skype user can also add up to ten phone numbers to their Skype account so that anyone from virtually anywhere in the world can contact them using any type of phone service. Skype also has an iPhone service where users with a WiFi connection can call, text, or IM from their cell phone.

The Monthly subscriptions include unlimited calls to landlines and additional benefits. Subscription plans start as low as $2.95 a month for unlimited calls to US and Canada landlines and cell phones! For as low as $5.95 a month there’s the Unlimited Country plan, which allows you to select a country to receive unlimited calls to landlines (and in some cases cell phones) in that country! This is amazing for those with relatives abroad! You can even get an online phone number for that country for a nominal yearly fee which allows them to call you on Skype if they don’t have a computer! And for $12.95 a month there’s the Unlimited World plan which consists of Unlimited calls to landlines in over 40 countries worldwide. The big advantage in addition to the very low cost, are no need for a long term contract. It’s great for when you’re traveling!

A World Connected

Between Skype users, all computer to computer services are free. No phone number is necessary if the calls are made just between computers. If a person needs to contact a non-Skype user on their mobile or landline phone, Skype has features that allow pay-as-you-go or monthly subscriptions. A Skype user can also add up to ten phone numbers to their Skype account so that anyone from virtually anywhere in the world can contact them using any type of phone service. Skype also has an iPhone service where users with a WiFi connection can call, text, or IM from their cell phone.

So what are you waiting for??? One low monthly fee gets you a Skype calling subscription. Sign up today!

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