Skype Me!
We decided not to reactivate our landline phone service. We decided to try a VOIP service instead. After a little bit of research, we chose to go with Skype. Most people have heard that Skype to Skype is free, which is great, but for only $36/year we can make all of the outbound calls we want to landlines or cell phones. This will allow us to make necessary (or unnecessary) calls during the day without eating up our cellphone minutes. Yeah!
It's really easy to setup. First, you need internet access. Then you download the software. You'll need to get some type of device to talk - this could be a webcam, headset w/ microphone, or a VOIP phone. We went with the Phillips phone, because it is cordless and the base unit connects to our wireless router allowing us to use the phone even when our computers are turned off. So far, everything is working great - people we're calling don't even know we're using Skype.
We will try to take this system with us on the road when we get back out in the RV. I've read a lot of comments on Datastormusers and I realize that VOIP might be hit or miss because of the latency of the satellite dish. BUT, when you don't have cell service, I think we'd be happy to suffer with some lag time on a call then not to be able to speak to someone at all. But, for that we will just have to wait and see. Skype also has these cool WIFI phones that you can use at any HotSpot - unfortunately the reviews we've read were more negative than positive on these little phones. Perhaps next year they'll be better?
If we're happy with SkypePro (outbound calls), we might eventually upgrade to SkypeIn as well, which would give us an incoming phone number for people to call us like a regular phone line. Until then, everyone can just call our cell phones....or download Skype and call us FREE!
It's really easy to setup. First, you need internet access. Then you download the software. You'll need to get some type of device to talk - this could be a webcam, headset w/ microphone, or a VOIP phone. We went with the Phillips phone, because it is cordless and the base unit connects to our wireless router allowing us to use the phone even when our computers are turned off. So far, everything is working great - people we're calling don't even know we're using Skype.
We will try to take this system with us on the road when we get back out in the RV. I've read a lot of comments on Datastormusers and I realize that VOIP might be hit or miss because of the latency of the satellite dish. BUT, when you don't have cell service, I think we'd be happy to suffer with some lag time on a call then not to be able to speak to someone at all. But, for that we will just have to wait and see. Skype also has these cool WIFI phones that you can use at any HotSpot - unfortunately the reviews we've read were more negative than positive on these little phones. Perhaps next year they'll be better?
If we're happy with SkypePro (outbound calls), we might eventually upgrade to SkypeIn as well, which would give us an incoming phone number for people to call us like a regular phone line. Until then, everyone can just call our cell phones....or download Skype and call us FREE!
posted by Diane at
8:14 PM
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