VOIP: Skype or Tesco?

I've been looking into VOIP phones to see what are the attractions and drawbacks.
In the United Kingdom the main choice is between Skype owned by Ebay and Tesco Internet phone owned by the Tesco supermarket chain.

In both cases the attraction is free calls between users anywhere in the world.
The first requirement is a broadband connection. This is a drawback if you are on dial-up and in an area that hasn't got broadband. Strictly the calls are only free if you accept that you'd be paying to be on broadband anyway.

In terms of your computer it's hard to find the minimum requirements on the Skype website but on for Tesco you need:

• Windows 98 Second Edition/ millennium Edition/2000 or XP. I've got XP.
• 1 free USB port either on the computer or a hub.
• Minimum of 128 RAM
• Minimum 15MB hard disk space

The Tesco software is NOT compatible with Apple Macs but the latest versions of Skype are "universal" and there is a version for Linux.

Most of us will be running a Windows version so we have the choice.

Skype down loads in a few minutes, 2MB broadband. There are options for being able to use the phone to dial out to landlines and mobiles called SkypeOut. You get afew minutes free when you sign-up whether you use SkypeOut or not. Otherwise you buy credit in £10 blocks abit like PAYG mobile phone vouchers.

As you don't get a number you are identified by a user name.

The link with Ebay means that if you have an Ebay account it'd be a good idea to get the your user name before someone else does!! Ebay are promoting Skype by trying to get sellers to post Skype links so that buyers can talk to sellers and ask questions. To get a number, sign up to SkypeIn which costs £23 per year. This will allow you to receive calls from landlines.

The Tesco software can also be downloaded but I bought the phones from Tesco and they came with a CD and a £5 call time voucher. Even with the CD you must be connected to the internet and they send you a verification email. Tell them where you live and they give an options based on your dialingalling code in the UK for a phone number. That number is your user name.

In both cases following the wizard is straight forward and you'll need to have a password so have one handy. There is the opportunity to make a free test call to a recorded message once it's all done. Be ready to plug the phone into a USB socket preferably a USB 2 socket. If you don't have a USB 2 it'll cost you about £20 to get a local computer shop to fit 4 on your computer. Worth doing.

The Tesco system also asks for your Clubcard number. According to the box they want a credit or debit card but I've got away without giving out one.

In both systems you call from the computer rather than by dialling. A record is kept of the numbers dialled so you can easily add contacts. In Skype you can search user names then call.

In many ways it's like MSN messenger but you talk instead of typing!

So which one is best?

It'll depend on which one most of your family and friends are on. But you don't have to decide on or the other: install both!!

I think the Tesco is slightly cheaper on most calls and you get a number free. The Skype is a World brand and you'll be able to download it in internet cafes around the world with relative ease.

Notes

• If you go abroad you can use an internet cafe to call home with a handset. Just download the software and login.
• If you've set-up your computer for several people you can set up accounts for each one on their profile.
• It's possible to use a microphone and speakers instead of a hand or head set.
• Tesco give ClubCard points for paid for usuage.
• For a while, I wondered how they made money!!! It's the extras!!
• Tesco ask for your address details and slightly worryingly when you look at your account details these appear in your "Billing address".
• The defaults on Tesco divert calls to voicemail, chargeable, if you get a call and are a) offline, b) on another call or c) if you don't answer.