We have just purchased a new 3 Skype phone we will reveiw it as we use it.

SKYPE : Internet Telephony application: years have passed with people talking to each other for free over the Internet, and it has always been considered cool. However traditional telephones are on everyone's desk today as they were three decades ago, despite that most of these desks now feature PCs connected with fat pipes to the Web.

Introduction

The problem: Internet Telephony has a hard life in today's Web. Most connected PCs are hidden behind firewalls, their ports blocked, and almost every company uses NAT, because of this . Internet Telephony systems do not "Just Work".BUT!!
Skype have managed to make everything alright: If you want your friends or family to use this method then it could not be easier. and since Skype runs natively on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows it is universal.

Program characteristics and usage:
Skype installation is easy and fast, and you don’t need to answer and endless list of questions to be registered; as soon as you are logged in, you can start adding contacts to your list.
In addition, all communications between users are FREE -- voice, instant messages, files -- are always encrypted using AES. New skype releases also feature "conferences", where up to 5 people can be connected simultaneously.
PC-to-PC calls are obviously free, but calls to regular phones are also possible at interesting rates, depending solely on the destination country, by buying
SkypeOut credit: this is very convenient for outgoing calls, Also you can now Create an account with your own personal telephone number allowing you in comming calls. my own personal number is :+44(0)121 288 6900 so now Skype is the way forward if you need a phone number for your own company or just for the home this service also provides a answering service so you will not miss any of those vitalcall's. This service comes at a price however, A massive £20.00 per year, as of 17 April 2006 and for voice mail £10.00 per year.This will allow you to have your own online telephone number and all the extras that you would expect from a
phone company. Watch out BT...

The windows version also supports USB handsets, a very easy to use piece of hardware: it allows to answer and initiate calls just like you would do with a real telephone, offers more privacy than the speakers + mic combo, while being more convenient than traditional "call center operator" headsets.

In conclusion, Skype is a pleasure to use, and "just works" in most
environments, regardless of firewalls or NAT; moreover interoperability between clients for different platforms seems perfect. What other internet telephony system can boast the same?

YOU WILL NEED A FAST INTERNET CONNECTION FOR THIS MEAN'S ADSL BROADBAND AT 512KBPS UPWARDS, NORMAL DIALUP ACCOUNTS WILL NOT WORK.

Interested ? See how Skype could save your Company or Home money.