 A while back, I mentioned here at just how amazed I am at the quality of Skype ! That hasn't changed! I did have one bad connection here a few days ago, but the guy told me he was on a very weak internet signal. But this time, I want to talk about the price of Skype compared to your local cable company phone service and companies such as Vonage . For example, Vonage advertises $24.00 per month for basically calling to anywhere in the US and Canada. Very reasonable compared to your local Bell carrier. But what if I told you that you could call any phone in the US and Canada for $30.00 per year? And what if I told you that you could get a local number and any of those phones could call you as well for as little as $60.00 per year? And along with that, you get FREE PC to PC calls that include Video calls! Need more of a traditional phone? No problem as there are a couple of different Skype phones available! Skype also offers the traditional includes such as Caller ID, and Call forwarding to other phones! And if you have need to call overseas, the per minute rates are right in line with the Traditional services. Most European calls are about $.02 per minute. So what I am trying to say is this: If you have a PC in your house, and are using a traditional phone, or even a Cable Modem phone, why??? Skype can save you lots of money over a period of a year. So below is my attempt to compare Vonage (voted the best digital service) to Skype. | Service | Vonage | Skype | | Per Month | $24.95 | $60.00 per year with your own Number
| Call Waiting
| X | - | Call Forwarding
| X | X | Caller ID
| X | X | | Voicemail | X | X | | SMS | - | X |
Skype also offers a "pay as you go" type of plan. For example, you can go online or even to your local Walmart and pick up a Skype calling card. Put your minutes on your plan and start dialing! I mentioned the Skype phones. These are smart enough to work both with your Skype PC to PC calls as well as Landline and mobile phones through your wireless internet connection. And if you hang out at a local wireless hotspot, these phones will work there without the need for a PC! Very cool, huh?
 
Now, I admit, I am not using Skype's paid services. I turned the Landline phone off years ago, and basically use my Treo for ALL my needs. But lately I am using Skype's PC to PC calls and am so impressed I am considering purchasing a number and using their calling service for the US and Canada! I am realizng just how affordable Skype is making phone communications with Voice over IP technology! And for less than 3 months of Vonage service, along with the extra hardware needed to make it work, I get a year's worth of Skype! Something to ponder and the more I do, the more Skype looks like a clear winner! 
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