Skype phones

Are these only advantageous for SkypeOut phone to phone or can one Skype PC's using Skype addresses rather than phone numbers.?


Can one log in on the Skype phone using your same Skype address that is registered on your PC.

My sons don't have SkypeOut credit facilities to contact us from their PCs to our Skype phones.

If we use our Skype phones and our registered Skype address, will we then be using some sort of mobile braodband or GPRS and be paying hugely if we do this?

You can use the PC for everything Skype, including calling other Skype users, using SkypeOut and using SkypeIn. However this means that you have a PC. The Skype phone simply frees you from having to use a PC.


Skype Phones use an existing wireless or wired connection to connect to the Internet. No extra cost. (Note that some cell phones also have Skype. Those will use the cell connection and cost more.)


You can log in with the same Skype ID as on your PC, even at the same time. I have tested this and it just means incoming calls will ring on both clients.


"My sons don't have SkypeOut credit facilities to contact us from their PCs to our Skype phones."


They don't need credit. Skype to Skype calls are free regardless of client (phone or PC).


Another solution is for you to get a SkypeIn number in your sons' country. That way they can call from any phone to that number (paying for a local call) but it rings at your Skype client. For example we have SkypeIn numbers in Sweden and the US. These cost us a total of USD 90 a year for unlimited incoming calls.



"If we use our Skype phones and our registered Skype address, will we then be using some sort of mobile braodband or GPRS and be paying hugely if we do this?"


No. Skype phones use existing wireless or wired connections, for example in your home (except exception noted above). Of course, if you have to pay for Internet (such as in a hotel) that cost is added.

Thank you xpatguy for your reply. The SkypeIn numbers do not apply to South Africa - where my sons are - only certain countries have SkypeIn facilities.


So if I understand you correctly, then my monthly subscription will cover any Skype calls using the Skype phone either:


PC to "PC" worldwide (if I have registered my Skype address on the phone)

My PC to phones outside of Hong Kong as long as I have Skype credit.



One last question though. Is my monthly limit of minutes actual connected talk time or time that my phone is on and logged on to Skype?

Sorry for all the questions - the phone was bought for me and I am trying to see the advantage. I have a mobile phone contract with another provider for a few months and will need to switch to 3.....

Thanks for all your help. I am very grateful.

"So if I understand you correctly, then my monthly subscription will cover any Skype calls using the Skype phone either:


PC to "PC" worldwide (if I have registered my Skype address on the phone)

My PC to phones outside of Hong Kong as long as I have Skype credit."


Almost right. There's no "monthly". It's all prepaid. Skype client to Skype client (pc/pc, pc/phone, phone/phone) is always free. And it's not "outside of HK". You can call HK numbers too.



"One last question though. Is my monthly limit of minutes actual connected talk time or time that my phone is on and logged on to Skype?"


No. The Skype client (in phone or PC) can stay on at all times. Talk time is unlimited except of course for SkypeOut where you need enough credit to keep talking. We have it set to "auto-refill" so as soon as it goes under a certain level Skype charges our credit card to refill the account.



"Sorry for all the questions - the phone was bought for me and I am trying to see the advantage. I have a mobile phone contract with another provider for a few months and will need to switch to 3.....

Thanks for all your help. I am very grateful."


No problem. We actually have no landline. We use Skype for everything abroad and cellphone for HK. We save LOTS of money. And with Skype videoconference (free but of course you need PCs and webcams) grandpa and grandma can see the kids.

Great - thanks for all your help - much appreciated.

I have a one year contract with 3 that gives me 2150 minutes for $136 P/M - not sure if that is good or bad - as I say it was bought for me.

Thanks again, you've been a great help.

"I have a one year contract with 3 that gives me 2150 minutes for $136 P/M - not sure if that is good or bad - as I say it was bought for me."


So you DO have one of the 3 phones with Skype. That's a bit of a different story. After your Skype minutes are up, you will have to pay for cellular time at least.


As I also understand it, there is no SkypeOut capability.


If you are only using it at home, I would recommend getting a more "traditional" Skype phone that is just basically a Skype client with a phone shell and wifi browser wrapped around it.


Here is more info on the 3 Skype phone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skypephone.

Yep I have the new 3 Skype phone. I was rather hoping to use it as a mobile phone and for Skype - apparently I can and I am told by 3 that I can get another mobile contract and also that I can Skype by logging in using my Skype address and SypeOut using phone numbers and the credit that I have. I have registered my Skype address on the phone. I tested it yesterday and Skyped someone and it worked okay - just wondered though whether that would be included in my minutes or whether I was then onto some other system for which I would then be charged like a wounded bull.....

Sorry cthzn but I am not an expert on the 3 phone. You could always call customer service and ask.


This FAQ page also seems quite exhaustive: http://www.3skypephone.com/english/faq.html