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Let’s face it, long distance and cellular bills can be a killer on any budget, especially when our business requires regular long distance calling. For this very reason, I use Skype for all of my long distance business calls, and I’m using it more and more to phone friends and family who are out of my local calling area.

Here are some other great Skype features:

FREE:

• Skype to Skype calls
• Transfer Calls to people on Skype
• Video Calls
• Instant Messaging and Group Chats
• Forward Calls to people on Skype

If you’re familiar with Instant Messaging services like Yahoo and MSN, then Skype will be straight forward and easy for you to download, configure and have up and running in just a few minutes.

More Skype Features:

• SkypeOut
  SkypeOut makes it possible to call landlines and mobiles; however, you have to buy some Skype credits. You can buy them through Sainsbury supermarket or buy online through Paypal as well as many other payment methods. One disadvantage of buying credits is there is time limit for the duration.
• SkypeIn
  SkypeIn provides a phone number that allows other people to call you from landlines and mobiles at the cost of local call. You can buy up to 10 SkypeIn numbers in 14 different locations worldwide.
• Skype Voicemail
  With Skype Voicemail you don’t have to worry about missing calls. You can personalize your greetings and listen to your voicemails anywhere.
• Skype SMS
  Skype SMS makes it easy to contact your Skype friends when they are not online. Same as other service, you have to pay for that. The rate depends on your location. However, it is fairly cheap. For UK it is 0.092 Euro.
• Call forwarding
  You can choose to forward your certain calls to your landline or mobile even when you are not online. You will only pay the calls you want to forward. The rate depends on the location as well. You can check on Skype web site before you want to use.
• Call transfer
  It’s simple and free to transfer Skype-to-Skype calls. However, for others calls to landlines and mobiles there is a per minute charge and you must be a subscriber to Skype Pro

Advantages of Skype

• Download free
• Easy to setup
• Fair good voice quality
• Free video chat with other Skype users
• Cheaper international calls
• Supports different languages

Skype Pro:
Cost - $3.00/month

Includes:

1. Free calls to any phone within the US and Canada* (with no connection fee).
2. Save up to 60% on a personal online number - A SkypeIn number that lets people call you at local rates.
3. Call transfer - Transfer calls to Skype contacts, phones or cell phones.
4. Save on the move with Skype To Go - International calls from your cell phone at local rates.
5. Voicemail – never miss a call - Pick up messages when you’re busy or offline.

I’ve been using Skype since May of 2007 and I have to say that I won’t be getting rid of it any time soon :) I use Skype to record podcasts, talk to clients, friends and family using both the free features and the SkypeOut features. It’s much more affordable than using my local telephone company to make long distance calls. I highly recommend it :)