ADSL and Skype

[Foxycox]

Hi all...
I am considering using Skype to phone the UK. I have a 512K DSL connection with bandwidth provided for by telkom internet. If I phone someone in the UK (landline from internet), hows the quality, is it like normal phone 2 phone quality? Anyone who uses Skype to phone landlines in the UK, please offer some insight. Many Thanks
Shannon

 

[bwana]

I use it with my 512k adsl all the time to and from UK landlines - since yesterday they've also been able to call my pc from a landline after I got my skypein number. The odd thing is I can tell its pc to landline but the people on the other end claim not to be able to tell. The best thing is the price - 30 minutes for €0.527 (just under R4).

 

[bekdik]

I use Skype to various destinations - Canada. New Zealand, Switzerland. Generally the quality beats normal phone. Occasionally I get n echo, but if I redial it works better. I've used Skype out as well as pc 2 pc.

 

[antowan]

If you use a headset to VOIP, the quality improves dramatically. If there are open speakers near the microphone, feedback might occur and that creates the echo effect.

 

[bwana]

I agree - a headset or handset is a necessity. Until recently my wife had been reluctant to use Skype for some reason but with our new skypein number all her friends who moved to the UK have been calling her - needless to say she's been converted. lol

 

[WickedWeasel]

Hi guys, by the way,

If you use a USB type phone or headset it works even better, these type of hardware have been designed specificaly with voice inmind and are not an overall solution.

sorry moderators please tell me if I must remove this ? you can look at www.voicegear.co.za - Its got some phones on it and headset devices.

 

[ic]

<at_the_risk_of_straying_off_topic>

Are there any tips to choosing a decent headset, or types of headsets to avoid like a plague infestation?

I have a fairly basic thing that's somewhat uncomfortable - just something lying about (originally in the box with a speech recognition program).​

</at_the_risk_of_straying_off_topic>

 

[bwana]

I use a USB headset that came with a PS2 game - originally made by Logitech. Lightweight and comfortable. One good thing is that as its usb it loads as its own sound device leaving your soundcard free to do other things - which is cool if you're running 2 instances of Skype at one time

I'm also looking into getting one of the Skype Phones in the near future. Since I got SkypeIn I've been using the system a lot more than before.

 

[WickedWeasel]

IC, email me, I have a test phone you can give a bash !.

bwana, I sent you and email about the new dual phones we have, stock is limited. as importing the stuff is a mission

as customs dont seem to allow, any telcoms euipment seems to be stopped at customs Telkom doing the work well

 

[ic]

- email just sent via MyADSL forum .