Imagine this. You are on the airport waiting to catch a flight to US and would like to confirm the arrival time to your friend who is there to receive you. Well, you can make that costly ISD call from your mobile phone. Or else, use the newly launched ‘Skype on the Go’ phone from Belkin.
Belkin, the California, USA based manufacturer of computer and consumer electronics has launched a Skype phone in India. Priced at Rs. 9712, the Skype phone automatically connects to Skype even as you are on the move; if you are in a Wi-Fi zone. The call rates are attractive at Re. 1 per minute. The attractive part of the deal are: 500 Skype contacts memory, 30 free Skype-out minutes and one month of free voice mail. There is also an alternative ‘desktop’ phone that comes at a cheaper Rs. 7300 price tag.
ISD calls at one rupee per minute! In an ideal world, this is such a disruptive offering that should get the mobile network operators running for cover. But practically speaking, it should not. For one, in India, Wi-Fi zones are a rarity. Secondly, the phone does not provide an equivalent offer for STD calls. So effectively it means that while I will have to use the Belkin Skype phone like any other phone for most times, I get to use the Skype facility when I am in the Wi-Fi zones – not enough incentive to make people let go of their iPhones and Blackberries. Skype on iPhone is still available anyway.
The desktop Skype phone can still work, because it can come of use in an office set up where you will have to talk to foreign clients on a regular basis. But the Belkin Skype phone does not have enough flexibility with other VOIP platforms, which limits its functionality. Additionally, at a time when most offices are well connected with internet anyway, what stops people from connecting to Skype from their computers itself?
I am still unable to come up with definite use-case scenarios where this phone can come really handy. Please feed your opinions in the comments section below.
not a big deal. Vonage last week offered unlimited to calls to 60 countries(including India) for 24.99 per month in US.
So unlimited with US + unlimited to 60 countries.
This is something disruptive.
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/callrates/connectionfee/#currentPricesTab
say hello to the new 7.9 ct (!!!!!!!!!!!) skype connection fee!!!
Its a gr8 tool for corporate users. It can work very well as a cordless skype phone in office. Very useful in meetings, now that skype is with video..
Ofcourse this is not disruptive. I have been using Skype from my iPhone to make calls, absolutely free of cost for any wi-fi’ed zone.
It makes sense if they tie-up with GSM/CDMA serivce providers and then offer ISD at Re 1, which I think would never happen.
how many of you in India own iPhone? Remember, for Rs 7000, it is a good deal for average people to make free international calls from wifi zones.
Hi Guys,
I think there are other alternatives available at a much chaper price when it comes to buying them, also they provide a free US/Canada no. and there are no charges for making voice calls to US and Canada. As much of the business mostly in IT/ITES industry make calls to US, I think many other devices work and skype is not the only option. Well also there is a drawback of skype phone that you should be in WI FI zone to use it. People now secure their wi fi connections with password and I am not sure if one would be able to connect skype phone even if they are in wi fi zone that mean it limits your connection abilities to your home/office only. Not a great deal to crack.
Hi,
Skype phone, particularly desktop phone, sounds interesting to me for my needs. I would like to have a desktop phone, if it gives better
Here is my scenario.
I receive phone calls from my foreign contacts. To receive them, I have to keep my computer own all the time – which I do not like. However, I am ok keeping my modem/router (with wireless antenna and LAN/Ethernet ports both)
If for any reason, I have kept my headset plugged it, I may or may not hear the ringer. Anyhow computer ringer voice is low compared to regular phone rings.
I guess that a desktop phone may give better voice quality than cordless counter part. Perhaps it may not require to keep track of battery running off.
So, I would like to have a skype phone, particularly to “receive” calls. And may prefer a desktop version. Advantages I see: (1) computer can be off, only router is on. (2) Possibly better ringer voice (even if headphone is plugged in to the comp).
Would love to get more details about where to buy in India, if trial runs are allowed etc.
just my 2 cents – without connection fees
. Will wait for other people’s opinion.
Thank you for reading.
I WANT TO ISD CALLS FROM INDIA TO SAUDI ARAB & KUWAT…..
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE A CALLS @ ANY SUGGETION NUMBER
Hi,
I m Raj & I want to make ISD Calls Can U tell me how to
I have bought one Belkin skype desktop phone from Singapore airport, but tried to put in India, its not getting connect. can anyone advise if any setting is out ?
Even BELKIN website doens not provide information !!!
from where we we can get this skype phone in India. Does Vonage is alos available in india
Hi,
Can any one help me out in transferring the call from India mobile number to United States mobile number ?
Can we get this possible by Skype… with INDIA number ?