What is Skype?

Skype was founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis and is now owned by auction giant eBay. Zennstrom and Friis invented software they called "Skype", which allows users to talk over the Internet. (A phone call placed over the Internet is done via "VoIp", short for "voice over IP".)

Skype plans

• Skype is free to use if both people on the call are using Skype (called "Skype to Skype" calls). Skype offers an inexpensive paid option called "SkypeOut" for Skype users to call others who are using landlines or mobile phones. This plan has an average cost of $0.02 a minute.
• "SkypeIn" allows Skype users to get their own phone number with area code. This option costs $12 for three months or $30 for a one year plan and comes with free voice mail. This allows users not on Skype to access a traditional phone number.

Skype also offers users the ability, via its "SkypeOut" feature, to call anywhere in the world. There are options available for both Canadian and United States calling and international calling. For calls within the US and Canada, Skype offers an unlimited calling plan where users can call any phone, including landline or mobile, in the United States and Canada. The plan's cost is just $14.95 per year (it will be going up to $29.95 in the United States after January 31, 2007). Skype is currently offering over $50 in coupons toward purchase of a Motorola headset, Netgear WiFi phones and a Polycom speakerphones with SkypeOut unlimited plan purchase.

SkypeOut's international option allows users to buy inexpensive credits at low per-minute rates. The average cost is approximately 2.1 cents per minute depending on location and most users can call any phone from their computers.

Skype webcam and conference capabilities

• Skype users also have video capabilities, providing they have a webcam. This allows them to conduct video calls or video conferencing with other Skype users who have webcams.
• Skype can also handle conference calls with up to 5 people at once on an ordinary computer and up to 10 people at once if those on the call are using Intel Duo Core Processors.

Other features

• Voice mail: Skype offers voice mail at $6 for three months or $20 for the year. Phones with SkypeIn have free voice mail included.
• Call forwarding: You can forward calls to phones at Skype calling rates.
• SMS: Skype offers SMS ("short message service" or text messaging) at rates starting at 4.7 cents a minute, depending on location.
• Skype Zones: is a beta service (in development) that will allow users who are on the move to access Skype inexpensively via Skype-friendly "hotspots" for $2.95 for two hours' use or $7.95 per month. Only Windows 2000 and XP users can currently access this service.

Setup
You'll need speakers or headphones and a microphone to be able to use Skype. To use Skype, access the website at skype.com, download the software, choose your Skype username, make a free test call to ensure everything works properly, and begin searching for friends who also use Skype. To call a particular friend, just double-click on his or her name.

Now that you know what skype is, what it does and how it works, get out there, have fun and good Skyping...