The cheapest way to make international calls these days is to sit at your PC and natter away to Aunt Matilda in Oz over your broad connection. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology allows free calls to fellow dabblers with no hidden catch.
Now Skype, the world’s most popular VoIP outfit, has teamed up with Three to let you make Skype calls over its 3G network with the cleverly named, er, Skypephone.
With 246 million subscribers, Skype knows its VoIP onions and it’s plonked its technology into 3’s purpose built exclusive handset. Of course, when you’re not making free Skype to Skype calls, it works like a traditional 3G mobile phone, handling calls to landline and mobiles at standard network charges.
The candybar is solid and slim with a smart glossy finish and neatly beveled keypad. It’s incredible user-friendly with an unfussy and clean design. The Skypephone’s feature line-up is also tidy, toting a fixed focused two-megapixel snapper, built-in music player and microSD card slot.
Getting started on the Skype trip is a cinch. Existing customers can just press the large centre button marked ‘Skype’, enter your username and password, watch it download your contacts and bosh, you’re ready to blather the hind legs of a donkey. Skype virgins can set up an account from the handset in minutes and add VoIP contacts by searching its worldwide database of users. Skype Messenger is also integrated so you can instantly chat to fellow Skyper’s from your phone.
It’s a known fact that VoIP call quality is sometimes inferior to its mobile or landline brethren. You get the odd crackle and wind tunnel echo but it’s not a major issue and conversations are still highly discernible.
Verdict
If you’re a serial international caller with a friends and family dotted around the globe then the Skypephone’s convenient free calls package is utterly essential, especially when its only 50 quid on prepay.
Best features
Compact design
Easy to use VoIP feature
Free Skype to Skype calls
Internet
Not so good
Pedestrian camera
Fuzzy display
100% secured payment
