A few questions answered.
What is
Skype?
How do I use
it?
Where do I get
Skype?
What do I need for
Skype?
Do I need to buy
a new phone?
Can I call a fixed
line?
Dont we both need
broadband?
Can I stop using my
existing call provider?
What is Skype?
Skype is a
service provider utilising the VoIP technology.
The software is
free and can be downloaded and installed in a few minutes. Once loaded, calls to
other Skype users are free.
You can purchase
a range of "add ons" (such as Skype Out) which allows you to make and receive
calls to non Skype users (or landlines) for as little as 1p a minute.
Other (similar)
messaging programmes include:
-
MSN
Messenger
-
Yahoo
Messenger
-
AOL Instant
Messenger
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How do I use Skype?
How do I
use it?
Once the software
has been installed on your PC, and you have created a user name, you are ready -
it really is that simple!
-
Simply click on
the Skype icon in the system tray, to open your personal Skype browser
-
Search the
global Skype phone book, add friends & family to your personal address book
-
Plug in your IP
Phone, or PC headset.
-
Double click on
their user name and Skype will place the call
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Where do
I get Skype?
Simply click on any of
the Skype logos on our site, and you will be taken directly to the Skype site,
where you can get the latest software - for FREE!.
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So what
do I need for Skype?
-
A broadband
connection.
-
A Skype account (free
for calls to other Skype users).
-
Skype Out credit for
calling PSTN lines.
-
Speakers &
microphone, or USB telephone (or PC headset).
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Do I need
to buy a new telephone?
No.
If you would
prefer to use your existing telephone handset, either one of our adaptors will
work with your telephone (subject to cabling).
-
SE-B3G (also
known as a Skype Gateway) for Skype calls
-
SE-SIP-GW2 for
VoIP calls.
-
Simply
switch between VoIP & PSTN by pressing the * key
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Can
I make calls to a fixed line?
Yes, but there is
a charge.
Whilst calls to
other users on your network (e.g: Skype to Skype) are free, calls outside of
your network, including to traditional PSTN lines are charged.
Your call will be
carried over the internet, to the telephone exchange nearest the destination
number. The system will then make a local call for which you will be
charged.
You will
still have to pay line rental charges to your broadband supplier (such as
BT). Your calls to
fixed lines will be billed separately by your call provider.
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Don't we
both need broadband?
No, as long as
the caller has an internet connection all numbers are accessible.
Your call will be
routed over the web, to the local telephone exchange.
You will be
charged for the local call costs from exchange to destination
number.
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Can I stop using my existing call
provider?
No, not
yet.
VoIP technology
requires an internet connection to work.
If there is a
power cut, you will not be able to access the pc.
Also, most VoIP
services cannot be used to make emergency (999 or 911) calls.
Although,
you could consider using a mobile in emergencies!
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