Switch to Skype and Phone for Free!

It all started when BT added a £4.50 charge for not paying our phone bill by Direct Debit. Whilst Direct Debit may be a simpler option and will ensure that the company gets their money (and gets it on time), we would rather pay on receipt of the bill when we can raise any issues rather than have the money taken out to then chase for a refund.

We started using Skype on our computers and convinced our family (on which most calls went) to do the same. A USB Skype phone at the time was only around £10.00 and are even cheaper today - of course all you really need is computer with a microphone and speakers.

Subsequently we have seen a decrease in our phone bills from around £15.00 of calls per quarter previously, to less than £5.00. On several occasions calls have actually been at £0.00 leaving us only having to pay line rental.

The difficulty with using Skype on the computer however is that when you want to make/receive a call you need to be near the computer, with the computer on. Obviously therefore you can't make/receive calls whilst you are out and about (excluding of course where you have a laptop or access to another computer).

However 3 seem to have solved that problem... Skype on your mobile phone! 3 offer a range of Skype phones, which means you can use Skype on your mobile phone to call and receive calls from other Skype users FOR FREE!

I purchased an Inq1 Skype phone a couple of weeks ago and despite making several calls to my fiance (who has the Skypephone), his parents and my parents (who have Skype on their computers), I have hardly spent a penny.

There are also many additional features on that are free on the phones offered by 3 including Facebook, MSN Messanger and Ebay. Check out their website for full details.

It may seem like I am 'plugging' 3 here, but they seem to be the only mobile phone company in the UK offering such features and for free!

Whilst there is an initial expense in purchasing a compatible phone, you could save a lot of money.

However, if you want to 'try before you buy' Skype on your computer before considering a mobile phone like we did!

Visit Skype to find out more and download here