| With over 350 million registered users today, Skype is | | | | international calls to mobile phones and landlines |
| the world's most popular voice over internet protocol - | | | | through the PSTN networks. Users are also able to |
| VoIP service. Skype was launched in 2003, and it | | | | receive calls from these PSTN networks via their |
| began by offering PC to PC voice calls to its users | | | | computers, which is not free but is nevertheless |
| and by 2006, Skype had a record 100 million users. | | | | cheaper in comparison to the regular mobile and |
| With the advent of Skype, many communication | | | | land-line call rates. The service for receiving calls on |
| barriers were broken thereby allowing internet users to | | | | Skype is called SkypeIn and the service for making |
| make longer long distance calls over the internet | | | | calls outside Skype is known as the SkypeOut. |
| without worrying about the costs as they previously | | | | In order to use Skype, one will require the following:o A |
| would when using the regular telephone services. | | | | complete PC with good speed and memoryo A good |
| Skype allows its users to make PC to PC calls at a | | | | internet connection such as broadbando A sound |
| monthly fee often lower than what they would have | | | | cardo A headset, or speakers and a microphoneo |
| had to pay using the regular phone services. | | | | Download free Skype software from The popularity |
| Skype users are able to make free calls to anywhere | | | | of Skype means that users are able to track down so |
| in the world, so long as the person they wish to call is | | | | many of their friends and business colleagues via the |
| similarly using Skype. This therefore requires users to | | | | service. It is possible to enjoy unlimited free calls with |
| arrange to meet at a certain time online in order to | | | | contacts that also use Skype. Skype may be used for |
| make the call via Skype. | | | | various things including long distance calls to family |
| Skype also enables users to know about the | | | | members, making business calls, holding long distance |
| availability and willingness to communicate of the | | | | conferences, monitoring remote activity, making cheap |
| person they wish to communicate with. This means | | | | calls while on transit and just for socializing with friends. |
| that when a contact is online they may display this | | | | Skype users may be found in almost every country in |
| fact to enable their friends on Skype to know that | | | | the world. This is because Skype has been developed |
| they are available and thereby communicate. Similarly, | | | | to facilitate clear and consistent calls over the internet. |
| if they are offline, their Skype friends are made aware | | | | There are even Skype user groups being formed all |
| of this and can try to reach them at a later time when | | | | over the world, with some of the largest groups |
| they are back online. | | | | present in North America, Europe and south East Asia. |
| Through Skype, users may also make local and | | | | |