Skype, which is partly owned by eBay, is a powerful online communication software application that integrates video calls, audio calls, instant messaging and file sharing all in a single program. The immense and still growing popularity of Skype is largely due to the fact that most of these features are given for free. Introduced in 2003, now, close to 10% of all international phone calls are now done on Skype. Arguably the world’s premiere VOIP application, Skype transfers analog and digital information over the internet. As internet transmission speeds improve with technology, Skype improves as well; conversations on Skype become clearer and far less prone to interruption.
Skype is fairly easy to use, it really isn’t rocket science. You just need to have a computer with a soundcard, a headset with a microphone, or speakers and a microphone; and that runs on a Skype compatible operating system. Virtually every laptop that has come out in the last 7 or 8 years will already have these requirements, as will the vast majority of desktop PCs. If you have an older PC, it is pretty easy to buy speakers and a microphone separately.
From there, running Skype is just a matter of downloading the software, installing it on your PC, and then completing a very simple registration process. If you already know people who use Skype, you can start adding them as contacts as soon as you have completed registration. You can also add contacts at any time later on. From there, you can contact your contacts via voice, video or text message any time you see them online.
With all the free services it offers, you might wonder how Skype makes money. While all Skype to Skype communications are free, Skype can also be used to contact conventional cell phones, landlines, and even other countries. Skype also offers a voicemail feature. All of these are paid services, and the great thing about getting these through Skype is that it is still a lot cheaper than conventional means. Per minute charges for Skype calls to cell phones or overseas calls are a fraction of what they would be if you made the calls the usual way. Skype offers two billing methods: a monthly plan for those who intend to use Skype regularly and a pay as you use option for those who only use is sporadically.
With more and more land line users switching to mobile phones, there have been blog discussions on the future of Skype, in terms of profitability. The fact is though, that the number of phones out there is not decreasing, people are simply shifting from land line to cellular. Skype does make money with Skype to mobile phone calls; there is also Skype’s billable voicemail service. Whether or not this becomes an issue, only time will tell. In all likelihood, Skype will simply adapt to the changes, and continue to grow in popularity.