Skype or VOIP?

Scottie P · 12-04-2007, 10:37 AM

Hi

I'm thinking of moving on to VOIP more seriously to hopefully significantly reduce my phone bills. I'm thinking about buying a Skype Pro subscription or buying some credit at VOIPcheap.com.

Whichever path I choose, I'm then keen on buying a DECT cordless phone that will also accept the Skype or VOIP calls

If I go Skype I'll get a Netgear SPH200D or if I go VOIP I'll probably order a Siemens Gigaset C460 IP phone ...both look good depending on which is the best path....

Does anyone have any experiences they can share?

Right now, I'm thinking I'll most likely sign up for both on my PC and run them in parallel for a few months before I choose hardware for whichever I've found the cheapest but best voice quality.

Thanks for any input.

Scottie P

maxidius · 12-04-2007, 10:46 AM

I never use Skype on mobile phone, so I can't say. But I use Yahoo Voice Messenger to call to other PC -- this is Free -- or to land-based home phone, using Phone Out which is a pre-paid utility. The charge is quite cheap; but I do not compare to Skype or other similar services.

There is something called Gizmo, which is like Skype too. Other answers may give you more info, hopefully.

MikeP · 12-04-2007, 12:29 PM

I use Skype from UK to make international calls,very cheap and call quality is very good.

traveler · 12-04-2007, 02:19 PM

Last year Skype had a "use us for free" promotion going. So I used them to make PC to PC calls (normally free) and PC to land line calls (normally a small charge but free during the promotion). Quality was great on any call I made.

Spawn_abx · 12-04-2007, 03:09 PM

I've setup a small network with 3 Skype users, and once port forwarding was done, call quality was not an issue even if all were using at the same time. One purchased a SkypeIn number, and everyone was satisfied with the service.

It worked well over a low bandwidth DSL service (750Kb D / 125Kb U).

Scottie P · 12-04-2007, 03:22 PM

Guys

Thanks for the feedback .... I was hoping Skype was worth a shot as my non-techie friends and relatives around the world are more likely to use it than a VOIP app.

I like the idea of the Skype in numbers too. I can get one in NZ so my family can call me on a local(ish) number to me in the UK to save them some money.

Glad to hear the call quality is good as I really like the idea of the Netgear phone too.

Cheers
Scottie P

12-04-2007, 10:37 AM	#1
Scottie P I'm no expert Join Date: May 2003 Location: UK Posts: 407	Skype or VOIP? Hi I'm thinking of moving on to VOIP more seriously to hopefully significantly reduce my phone bills. I'm thinking about buying a Skype Pro subscription or buying some credit at VOIPcheap.com. Whichever path I choose, I'm then keen on buying a DECT cordless phone that will also accept the Skype or VOIP calls If I go Skype I'll get a Netgear SPH200D or if I go VOIP I'll probably order a Siemens Gigaset C460 IP phone ...both look good depending on which is the best path.... Does anyone have any experiences they can share? Right now, I'm thinking I'll most likely sign up for both on my PC and run them in parallel for a few months before I choose hardware for whichever I've found the cheapest but best voice quality. Thanks for any input. Scottie P
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12-04-2007, 10:46 AM	#2
maxidius Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 480	Re: Skype or VOIP? I never use Skype on mobile phone, so I can't say. But I use Yahoo Voice Messenger to call to other PC -- this is Free -- or to land-based home phone, using Phone Out which is a pre-paid utility. The charge is quite cheap; but I do not compare to Skype or other similar services. There is something called Gizmo, which is like Skype too. Other answers may give you more info, hopefully. __________________ max --------- If you know you know, you don't say you know because you know no one will believe you know, being that they don't know, and can't believe anyone else know. If you don't know, you don't know you don't know, and there is no idea to say that you don't know.
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12-04-2007, 12:29 PM	#3
MikeP Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: s/w UK Posts: 353	Re: Skype or VOIP? I use Skype from UK to make international calls,very cheap and call quality is very good.
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12-04-2007, 02:19 PM	#4
traveler Where to next? Join Date: May 2001 Location: South Florida Posts: 18,168	Last year Skype had a "use us for free" promotion going. So I used them to make PC to PC calls (normally free) and PC to land line calls (normally a small charge but free during the promotion). Quality was great on any call I made.
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12-04-2007, 03:09 PM	#5
Spawn_abx From Beyond! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Grayson, LA Posts: 127	Re: Skype or VOIP? I've setup a small network with 3 Skype users, and once port forwarding was done, call quality was not an issue even if all were using at the same time. One purchased a SkypeIn number, and everyone was satisfied with the service. It worked well over a low bandwidth DSL service (750Kb D / 125Kb U). __________________ Ohhhhh!!! Don't Touch That!!! That Will Make You Go Blind!!! ____________________________ Acronis Fulfillment Partner Netgear PowerShift Partner GFi Authorized Reseller Check Point Partner Wildblue Certified Installer
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12-04-2007, 03:22 PM	#6
Scottie P I'm no expert Join Date: May 2003 Location: UK Posts: 407	Re: Skype or VOIP? Guys Thanks for the feedback .... I was hoping Skype was worth a shot as my non-techie friends and relatives around the world are more likely to use it than a VOIP app. I like the idea of the Skype in numbers too. I can get one in NZ so my family can call me on a local(ish) number to me in the UK to save them some money. Glad to hear the call quality is good as I really like the idea of the Netgear phone too. Cheers Scottie P
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