Skype: The Phone Killer
I recently streamlined my operations once again, I do this every quarter to make sure I run as tight and efficient a ship as possible – this saves me time and my customers/visitors money which I can invest in other endeavors. I recently retired my VOIP system and replaced it with Skype as a result of my review and changing situation.
Initial Rumblings
As many people, I have heard on and off about Skype – some people I deal with got rid of all their phone systems and switched over the Skype while others still don’t have a fast enough connection to benefit from its service. As for me, I evolved slowly, from land line to VOIP and now… SKYPE! I was looking into satellite phones for a while as I plan on doing lots of international traveling in the near future but for now, I have settled with Skype.
Skype?
Skype is essentially what I describe as a world phone that allows you to make free, unlimited calls to other Skype members using your PC – don’t worry, the software is free and set-up was only a few clicks. The other huge advantage over current MSN voice chat type systems is the clarity is absolutely amazing, even better then I had with my VOIP – you can even call land line phones for a flat rate around the world and set-up a voice mailbox which I plan to get shortly. You can send files just like MSN, chat via video and many other features that blow MSN in the dust. I am trying to switch all my friends to it as we speak 
Problems with Skype
The only “issue” I have for Skype is you need a good internet connection – dial-up users are out of luck but most of the people I work with have broadband so this limitation is a small one. What I liked about my VOIP system was that I had unlimited North America calls for a flat rate of 35$/month which was a great savings but with Skype, even buying time to call non-Skype users still comes out cheaper @ 2.1 cents a minute then my previous system and all I need is an internet connection to “log-in”, no need to carry a VOIP box with phone and handset from anywhere in the world. I guess my next “step-up” would be a mobile satellite card for my laptop so I can use Skype anywhere in the world without worrying about internet connection speed.
Where can I get Skype?
www.skype.com – tell them Jon sent you
The Bottom Line
Skype will do to traditional phones what .pdf did to the ancient fax machine – good riddance in my opinion!
