Skype Review
Pros and Cons of the Skype Phone Service

Have you ever read a Skype review that didn't begin by telling the reader that Skype is a free Internet telephone service? It was the original point of difference that gave Skype the momentum to become the biggest and most used international telephone carrier. It happened almost overnight.

What is Skype?

Skype is actually a cheap VoIP phone service rather than a free service. That's despite the fact that millions of users have never paid a cent to use it. They are the customers who regularly make free online phone calls and video calls to friends and relatives around the world.

While free calls attract new users to Skype, it depends on the income from cheap phone calls to landlines and cell phones, Skype online numbers and voicemail to generate income. It's a prepaid phone service with very competitive calling rates.

How to Use Skype

In the beginning most of us download the software to a computer and either use the built in microphones and speakers or wear a Skype headset, but there are other ways to use Skype.

Skype Internet Phone

Alternatives to being tethered to a computer include a Skype cordless phone, cell phone, wireless phone, Skype for iPhone, video phone ... Skype is available on almost every brand of smartphone.

Skype has evolved from a telephone service that could only be used when sitting in front of a computer into a viable mobile communications technology.

Skype Phone Number

A Skype number or Online number can be used in the same way as a traditional phone number. They can be included in an email address, put on a business card ... and called from landline or cell phones by people who don't have a Skype account.

Skype numbers are invaluable when traveling overseas. Calls to these numbers are charged at local rates even when answered from the other side of the world.

Voicemail

A cheap voicemail service that can be used anywhere in the world. Divert unanswered calls to Skype Voicemail and pick up messages whenever it's convenient to sign in. Voicemail alerts can also be emailed or sent as texts to a cell phone.

Skype Problems

No Skype review could claim to be balanced without noting that some users have "issues." Every phone service has subscribers with issues - check out Vonage reviews. Most are a consequence of slow Internet connections. While it's possible to use Skype over a dial-up line it's less than satisfactory. As with all VoIP services it's best to have a fast broadband connection and a Skype router equipped with QoS technology. If drop-outs occur or the the video becomes jerky just reflect on the cost of the alternatives.

Skype Security

Skype is far more secure than either a landline or mobile phone service. Criminal organizations including the Russian and Italian mafias depend heavily on the Skype phone service. They are well aware that hacking Skype is not easy. It's even a challenge for government agencies with immense resources.

Alternatives to Skype

Hundreds of millions of people have clicked the link to get a free Skype download. Phone conversations between Skype users are free. No other phone service has as many users. It also accounts for more minutes of international talk time than any other carrier. Despite it's popularity there are a growing number of copy cats, but we can't see how any of them will ever catch up with Skype and it's continuously growing base of users.

Bottom Line

Skype reviews are usually written from the perspective of a person using either a free or a cheap VoIP phone service. Skype is arguably the best free phone service and one of the cheapest prepaid services. The biggest advantage it has over all alternatives is that it has more users than all of it's competitors combined.

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Skype Review - Related Articles

How Does Skype Work? - what is the secret of this free Internet telephone service?

iPhone Tips and Tricks - get an Online phone number with your Skype free download.

Skype Security - anyone with concerns about the privacy of their land line phone calls should consider getting a Skype phone number.

Free Skype Credit - the next best thing and how to get it.

Skype Online Phone Number or SkypeIn - it's one of Skype's best features and almost as good as free online phone calls.

Skype Fax - Skype is used by millions of people every day to make free online phone calls. Can it also be used to send online faxes?

Which Cheap VoIP Phone Service? - most are cheaper than using a local residential phone service, but there are significant differences between the cheapest and the best.

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