How To Call a Phone on Skype

Skype is a hugely popular computer program that allows users to talk to other Skype users using a computer. Another special function of Skype is that it allows users to call a landline using the computer. The program is free and easy to use. If you want to use your computer to call a phone by using Skype, here's what you need to do.

* Download Skype from the company website at www.skype.com and install the program on your computer. Make sure you have the minimum system requirements to be able to install and run the program properly on your PC. Skype can be downloaded on both a Mac and PC. You must have Internet connection, ideally a high speed Internet Broadband connection. To enable videocalls, you must have a webcam.
* Key in your directory. Make your own Skype phone directory by transferring your phone numbers on your blackbook onto Skype. This is a good idea if you have several people that you would like to call using Skype. If you don't want to make a directory, you must have the person's landline number. Be sure to have the country and area code of the person.
* Have a credit card. You will need to pay for some Skype calls. Skype to Skype videocall are free, but Skype to landline calls do have a minimal charge. Purchase Skype Credits using a valid credit card to be able to make calls. If you know you'll be making a lot of calls using Skype, it's a good idea to get a monthly subscription rate instead.
* Check the call cost. Type in the country of the person you are calling to see the per minute rates that you will be charged. One of the nice things about using Skype to call a phone is that the phone charges are constant 24 hours a day and seven days a week, so you don't need to wait for a certain window of time to get the cheapest long distance rate possible.
* Select the country you are calling. When you are ready to make a call, scroll down on the flag of the country where the person is that you are calling. It is set on default for the United States. Once you select the country, type in the phone number of the person. You may click on the onscreen keypad or enter the numbers using the numeric keypad of your computer.
* Select a pre-saved number. If you have an existing Skype directory, scroll down on your Contacts list and look for the name of the person you wish to call. Click on the name.
* Click on the Call button. It is a green button that you will see on your desktop screen. Skype will now make the call. Once the person answers, your minute charges will start.

That's all there is to it! Calling a landline using Skype is much like using a regular phone. You must have the number and click on Send or Call. Make sure that you take the time differences into consideration when making your call, especially if you are calling someone with an international number, or someone who lives in a different time zone.

Use Skype to call your friends and family. You can even do conference calls! It's simple and inexpensive. Try it!