Skype VoIP

Skype Features

When it comes to making calls, video calls, photo sharing and a whole lot of other fun things; Skype has definitely proven to be better than a phone. For starters; Skype is not just about making free Skype to Skype calls or cheap national or international calls. Skype has much more to offer and comes packed with various value added services and flexible features and functions. Instead of sending cheap SMS to and from mobile phones, Skype has made it possible for users to send cheap SMS directly from Skype to a cell phone. It also enables the Skype call to be forwarded to your mobile phone as well as gives the user the control and flexibility to set up a personal online phone number for family, colleagues or friends so that they can make calls from their land line numbers to your Skype; irrespective of the location. In order to access these services and features; all the Skype user needs is a little Skype credit in his Skype account. Skype users can also make Conference calls with up to 9 people; “totally free of cost”. Other “free” features include instant messaging and chats, call forwarding to people on Skype; and Video calls.

Cheap Calls: This feature enables the Skype user to make calls (landlines and phones) at incredibly cheap rates. This feature is called the SkypeOut feature and is fairly simple to use and unbelievably friendly on your wallet. This way; the user gets to discover huge savings on international calls. Moreover, the call rates remain the same; irrespective of the time of the day or the day of the week. International calls start from as low as 1.7 euro cents per minute. This feature works on Windows, MAC OS X, Linux, Windows Mobile, WiFi phones, Cordless phones and Skype To Go.

Online Number: This feature allows the Skype user to create his/her very own personal online number and people can make calls to them from their mobile phones or landline phones “at local rates”. This is essentially termed as the SkypeIn number and these numbers are made available in almost 19 countries. If the caller happens to be calling from the same country as the SkypeIn user; then the caller pays the default local rate and the SkypeIn call receiver does not need to pay anything for this service. So, even if the Skype user is traveling around the globe; and receives a call from the country of origin from where his Skype number was procured; the caller would pay the local default rates and the Skype user receives the call, no matter which part of the world he/she is in. The SkypeIn number utilizes the internet to route the call and the SkypeIn user receives the call when they are logged into Skype. The Online Number feature work on Windows, MAC OS X, Linux, Windows Mobile, WiFi phones, Cordless phones and Nokia N800.

SMS: This feature allows the Skype user to send SMS messages from their Skype to mobile phones across the globe at dearth cheap rates. The user is able to type lengthy messages without having to struggle with the pesky keys of a cell phone and moreover, this service is fast and cheap to use. Well, if that’s still not enough; the user is able to send the same very message to a group of people with just a single keystroke. So, that’s convenience and affordability all packed into one free software. The rates of course depends on where the user is sending the text message and for most places the rates are fixed at 7.8 euro cents and 9 euro cents for places where VAT is applicable. The SMS feature works on Windows MAC OS X.

Voicemail: With Skype’s Voice mail; the user never ever misses a call. This means, that even if the Skype user is offline, busy or unavailable to take calls instantly, with Voicemail the caller can still make calls and leave messages for the Skype user. These messages get stored to be accessed at a later time. Moreover; the Skype user is able to personalize their voicemail greetings as well as pick up their voice mails from any part of the globe. The Voicemail feature is included when the user upgrades his account to Skype Pro; an all inclusive Skype package. Otherwise, this service costs only €4 for 3 months or €12 for a full year or €4.60 and €13.80 where VAT applies, respectively). Put simple; the Skype Voicemail feature acts as an answering machine wherein all the unanswered calls are diverted to the Skype Voicemail and may be accessed anywhere after signing into the Skype account. The Voicemail feature works on Windows, MAC OS X, WiFi phones, Cordless phones, Nokia N800.

Call Forwarding: The call forwarding feature allows the Skype users to have their calls forwarded when they are offline. So, even if the Skype user is on the move; he gets to receive his calls on his phone or mobile, at a cheap rate. Furthermore; the caller does not have to pay any additional charges to make calls. Now, when the Skype user selects the option of having his call forwarded to his cell phone or phone; then he/she is required to pay per minute. These calls are charged at the regular call rates. In order to activate this feature; the Skype user needs Skype credit in his Skype account and set up the phone number to which the Skype call would be forwarded to. The best part however is that the user can have his Skype calls forwarded to more than one phone. The Cal forwarding feature works on Windows, MAC OS X.

SkypeOut Premium Services: The SkypeOut Premium Service allows the user to make SkypeOut Calls to premium rate numbers in the United Kingdom as well get access informative content such as entertainment services, information and helpline and other services. The SkypeOut Premium calls is similar to the SkypeOut calls; except that this service has a higher calling rate as compared to the regular SkypeOut calling rates. This rate is inclusive of communication fee and the content provided by the service providers. It is important to note that this informative content is not provided by Skype itself and a third party service provider is responsible for providing this content; thereby promoting their services independently of Skype. Making a SkypeOut Premium call is similar to making a regular SkypeOut call. The user needs to make sure that they have enough credit in the account to be able to make the SkypeOut Premium call. The Premium rate numbers that the user can call through SkypeOut Premium are UK numbers with dialing codes (0)90 and (0)91. ICSTIS (Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services) is the independent committee that is responsible for monitoring and regulating the premium rate services offered through UK premium rate numbers. The Committee also handles complaints about the service content and operations, the mode and manner of advertising the services as well as the transparency of the service costs.

Now, in order to access and enjoy these features and services; the Skype user has two plan options to choose from. The first is the “Skype Credit” with which you can opt for the “Pay as you Go” feature and the other is the “Monthly subscription Plan” option. The former option offers the simplicity of a pay-as-you-go service at cheap and affordable rates and the latter offers the flexibility of making calls any time of the day and obviates the need of any long term contracts whatsoever. All the subscription options feature online numbers which allows your friends or relatives call you directly on Skype. Furthermore, with the Skype To Go number, Skype members can reach their contacts abroad at affordable rates using any mobile or landline number.