How Skype To-Go Saves Me Money On My Calls

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If your job or business requires frequent international or long distance domestic calling, you’re probably well aware of the phone bills that typically come with it.

Skype, as I am sure you know, offers a service that lets you call internationally at much reduced rates, but previously you either had to mess with using a headset and call through your computer or you needed a special phone.

Hardly practical when you’re at your office, driving in your car or camped out at a busy airport. That’s when I want to use my Blackberry, without being charged an arm and a leg for an international call.

That’s why we were thrilled when Skype introduced Skype To Go service this summer. Now you can finally benefit from low Skype rates for domestic and international calling while using your own cellphone.

Here’s how it works.

When you sign up for a Skype Pro (which includes Skype To Go) for a measly $3 per month, you receive a local Skype phone number. In addition, you setup a maximum of 6 speed-dials for numbers you call frequently. These speed dials can be changed at any time.

When the time comes to connect with your overseas business colleagues, you dial your local Skype number (a local call) from your home, office or cellphone and select your international calling party from your speed dials.

Skype seamlessly connects you at their low international calling rates. For instance, calls from the US to your sales office in Germany are charged 2.4 cents a minute and that same rate connects to your business partner in Paris, France.

Your Skype Pro subscription also offers free nationwide calling in the US and Canada - so if you’re in North America, you can cut down on your long distance calling charges as well.

I tried Skype To-Go and it worked well. Clear international calls, no problems - at a significantly lower cost. I use it to call Europe during my morning commute - which gives me a chance to connect with my European colleagues way before they start wrapping up their day, given our 7 hours time difference.

Keep in mind that in addition to Skype’s monthly Pro subscription and per-minute charge, there may be charges from your own (cell) phoneprovider so we recommend doing some research before getting started. Skype Pro only is available in a select number of countries.