Wireless Phone Service (VOIP) for Full Time RV ers
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Cell phones are the mainstream choice for RV living and most everyone knows about them so I'm not going to talk about them here.
I'm going to talk about a system that I personally use in addition to my cell phone that saves me a ton of money on long distance and cell time. It works through any dependable, high speed Satellite, Cable or WiFi Internet Service and is known as VOIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol. Don't let the complex name fool you, it's really easy to use and it's an ideal system for RVers that allows you to make long distance, international and video phone calls for next to NOTHING! On top of that, it's just plain fun to use!
WiFi and/or VOIP phone services have come along way since their inception, and with rates as low as $3.00 per month for unlimited long distance and 3 cents per minute for international calling, this option is very appealing for anyone with dependable high speed Internet access, particularly for RVers.
VOIP is basically phone service that utilizes the Internet (wifi included) to transfer voice and video data from one person to another. VOIP quality depends on the service you use, the quality of your equipment and the speed and dependability of your Internet connection. When these are optimal, the quality and dependability of VOIP is very impressive indeed! I have many people tell me they can't tell the difference when I call them on their phone using my VOIP system.
There are pros and cons to VOIP like anything else, and whether or not it will benefit you, depends on your situation, needs and requirements. VOIP can be a great solution for RVers, who want to stay in close contact with friends and family via text, voice or video at the lowest possible expense.
The VOIP Service I use and recommend for RVers is 
Skype a full featured VOIP service that has been around for many years. Skype has stood the test of time and evolved significantly since the early days. I love it and I think you will too.
On this page I going to explain the basics and show you how you can easily utilize and get the most out of this amazing technology. Don't worry, it's easier than you think.
Currently Skype offers three types of accounts:
- Skype FREE
- Skype Pro - $3.00 per month - This is what I use.
- Skype Business
The first thing you need to do to use ANY of the Skype services is
Download and Install the FREE Skype Software
There is no spyware or adware so don't worry
What does FREE offer?
Free UNLIMITED text chat, voice calls and video conferencing with anyone, anywhere in the WORLD who also has the Skype software installed on their PC (and an Internet Connection). You can also use it to call regular phone numbers at very low rates.
What Does Pro Offer?
Skype Pro costs $3.00 per month and provides everything Skype FREE offers plus unlimited long distance to real phone numbers anywhere in your country for no additional charge! You also get a voice mail box, and for another $3.00 per month they will even assign you an actual phone number in just about any area code you desire so other people can call you from their regular phones.
Note: If you get a phone number in an area code your friends or family live in, it's a local call for them to call you at no additional monthly charge to you, and you can purchase as many phone numbers as you like (in different area codes) for $3.00 per month each. Very Cool!
What is the Basic Equipment Do I Need to Use ?
- A Fast PC or Laptop (most are now adays)
- A Sound Card with Speakers (all pc's have em)
- A DSL, Cable, Satellite or WiFi Internet Connection (56k will work for voice but not as well)
- A Microphone (to plug into your sound card so you can talk)
How does it work?
Well, it depends on whether you have Skype FREE or Pro and what optional equipment you've added. You can actually get phones or USB headsets to use with Skype. However in it's most basic mode, if someone calls you, your computer plays a sound through your speakers to alert you and a window pops up, giving you the option to answer or send them to voice mail. If you answer, you hear them talking through your speakers, headset or regular phone handset (requires adapter shown below) and you talk back either through a microphone or handset (more on this follows below).
What's the Quality Like?
Surprisingly Good! I've had many people tell me my voice clarity is as good and often even better than they normally hear on their phone. I tried this service in the early days with a 56k modem and wasn't that impressed. However with Cable, DSL or WiFi, the quality is downright impressive. I freak people out when I tell them I'm talking to them through a WiFi Internet Connection.
How to SuperCharge your Service
You can purchase all kinds of optional hardware from the skype shop that enables you enhance your skype experience. You can even get special WiFi and other Skype phones that don't even require a computer to work with the system. I've listed a few below but there are MANY more in the Skype Shop.
Headsets | Phone Adapters | Skype Phones | Bluetooth® | Web Cams
Headsets
The most basic upgrade for your Skype service is a headset/microphone combination set. This allows you to plug into your sound card or USB port and talk away. They come in mini plug (plugs into your sound card jacks) and USB port flavors. I've listed a couple below. You will find more at the Skype store which you can visit by clicking any of the Skype Store USA links below..
Skype Store USAPhone Adapters
Phone adapters allow you to plug ANY regular phone into your PC for use with the system.
Enabled Phones
These phones work with your regular phone service and with Skype. They are wireless so they allow you to move freely away from your PC and talk through Skype just like you would with a normal wireless phone.
Bluetooth® Skype Adapters
Use these with Skype and with your cellular phone service as well
Skype Video Phones
If you are going to video chat you need a web cam. Most any web cam will do but these are high quality and have both video and audio capabilities built in and are made for Skype.
The Skype System I Use
1. I purchased the Skype Pro package ($3.00 per month). This provides me with free long distance calling to any phone in the US or Canada (known as SkypeOut). It also provides me discounted rates on the SkypeIn Service.
2. I added the SkypeIn service for a year for $36.00. SkypeIn provides me with an actual phone number with voicemail that anyone with a regular land line can call. When someone calls my SkypeIn phone number, my Linksys phone rings (shown to the right) and I pick it up and talk, just like I do with a regular phone. My SkypeIn phone number is 509-368-7401.
3. I purchased the Linksys CIT300 Dual-Mode Wireless Internet Telephone with USB base station for $79.00 (you can get it at the Skype Store). It is a wireless handset very much like any wireless phone that allows me to make regular phone calls and receive SkypeIn calls without being tied to my PC.
So in essence, I have a regular phone system in my RV that provides unlimited calling to anywhere in the US and Canada for $3.00 per month. Not bad, for what equates to $10 per month for the service (including the phone cost) and the quality is just as good as any normal phone conversation with the exception of an rare, quick occasional drop out that is no more than a minor inconvenience. Starting my second year I will be paying the equivalent of about $6.00 per month. See if your phone company will give you a deal like that.
In Conclusion: Skype is a great communication solution for RVers who have access to high speed Internet. I haven't found anything that can compare in price or quality.