Technologie :
Smartphones
Skype Messenger App

The application Skype is totally free for calling other Skype users.

Using Skype to call non-Skype phones used to be called SkypeOut.

Skype allows to make phone calls to just about anyone with a PSTN phone or mobile device.

To use Skype to call regular phones, we have to pay as we go by purchasing credits, subscribe to Skype for unlimited calls, or buy a Skype phone number.

The application Skype is totally free for calling other Skype users. That is, taking and placing calls through Skype is free.

We can call anyone using Skype on our computer or with the mobile Skype app on the tablet or phone. From Skype, we can call Landlines and other phones.

If we want to make outgoing calls with Skype, toward other non Skype receivers, we need to purchase calling credit (counted in minutes), similar to calling cards. This lets us call anyone, whether that person has a Skype account or not.

Technically, Skype channels all calls through gateways, which direct the calls to the PSTN or cell phone services. What we pay for is the renting fee of the gateways.

What we spend on calling with Skype depends on how we buy Skype, but also on the callings rates for the places we're wanting to call.

• About Skype subscriptions

There are three Skype subscriptions we can buy, and each of them can be had for a single month, three months, or 12 months at a time. The difference with each of them is the list of supported countries.

We can buy the North American Subscription to call mobile phones and landlines with Skype. This allows calls , with unlimited minutes, to US and several destinations like Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and others.

We can opt for the World Subscription which is expensive, but has many more calling destinations than the North American one. It's also unlimited.

The third and final subscription is the United States Subscription where we can call US, Puerto Rico, and Guam phone numbers for just a few dollars a month. This comes with unlimited minutes but also supports less countries and least expensive.

• About Skype Credits

Another option for calling regular phones with Skype is to purchase Skype credits . We can use credits to call phones all around the world. It's a great option if we don't use Skype very often and just want to make a handful of calls every now and then.

Skype credits are useful because they let us pay as we go so that we only spend what we need. What we'll end up spending on credits depends on the rates of the countries we're calling.

• Skype Phone Number

A Skype number is like a regular phone number where anyone can call us (but we can't call them).

When someone makes a call to our Skype number, it'll ring in the Skype app, whether we're on our computer or a mobile device.

We can get a Skype phone number in a couple dozen different countries. It's useful if we plan to travel for a while and want to be reachable. We get unlimited incoming phone calls as part of the price.

We can pay for a Skype phone number on a monthly basis. To get it for the lowest price, consider buying all 12 months at once. It's more than likely over 25% cheaper than paying monthly.

There's also a 3-month option. All three billing period options can be purchased with Skype credits if we have them.

• About Skype To Go

Our last option for calling with Skype is to use Skype To Go. It doesn't require an internet connection and we don't even need the Skype app. It's best used if we need to call internationally and want to pay local rates.

Here's how it works: tell Skype what number we want to call. They'll give us a local number to call, which we can call from any phone: our landline, cell phone, a pay phone, etc. From there, call the number we're wanting to reach andwe'll pay local rates for the call.

Unlike a Skype phone number, Skype To Go lets us make outgoing calls.

In the case of making calls is important for us, we should avoid getting a Skype phone number and instead either subscribe to Skype, use credits, or get Skype To Go.

• About Emergency Calls

According to Skype, "Skype does not support type of emergency calling." However, there are some exceptions.

It's important to know that emergency calls are only enabled in a few countries, and the US is not included in that list. So, dialing 911 will not work in Skype.