Skype from Mobile Cell Phone

August 5, 2005

iSkoot 'Skype' Mobile Calls

Skype as we already know is one of the most popular VoIP applications -- if not the most, which has helped build a loyal community looking to develop third-party solutions that improve upon Skype's default features. One feature request of many Skype fans is the ability to make Skype calls from a mobile phone. Imagine if you could dial internationally using Skype - but using your cellphone? After all, carriers charge an arm and a leg to make international calls using your cellular network/cellphone. VoIP is much less expensive than international phone calls, charging as much as $3/minute. Last year, 10% of international calls used VoIP, says research firm TeleGeography. In addition, 20% of all international calls originated on cellphones in 2003 also according to TeleGeography. So there is an obvious demand to make international calls that marries "VoIP" and "cellphones".

iSkoot comes to the rescue with their 100% software solution that costs just $10/year with a free 30 day trial to check it out. Here's how it works. After installing the iSkoot software, to receive a call on a cellphone through Skype, you simply set up forwarding within iSkoot, to redirect incoming Skype calls to the cellphone number. (it interfaces with Skype using the Skype API)

Making outbound calls is a little trickier. First you enter your cellphone number in the iSkoot software so it can dial you. Next, your send a text message to the e-mail address dial@iskoot.com. That's where the $10/year "subscription" fee must come into play. In any case, the text message can contain either a phone number, a screen name for someone in your Skype 'buddy list or a Skype speed-dial number. Next, the iSkoot software extracts the phone number from the message, and sets up a three-way conference call between the computer you are running Skype on and your cellphone as well as the Skype user or phone number of the person you are calling. I should point out that if you are dialing an international number, it's not free, since you will be using SkypeOut, but it's still a heck of a lot cheaper than making a direct cell phone call to an international destination. Now you can make international calls not just from your home land line but while your on the road as well. It's also pretty cool that you can call your Skype buddies from your cellphone as well.

I'd like to see a software version that lets you poll a POP3 email account of your own choosing so you don't have to rely on "dial@iskoot.com". What if their email server goes down? Or what if I'd rather pay $50 to just own the software rather than rent it for $10/year? Nevertheless, an intriguing Skype/cellular integration solution. $10 bucks is nothing these days I suppose.



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» iSkoot from 抓~ 抓到一隻瞌ç?¡èŸ²
在看這篇 Skype from Mobile Cell Phone之後, 我終於�懂iSkoot怎麼動了. 是這樣, 他scenario就是在於你想用mobile cell phone打internaltional calls. 或者是在internet上�, 沒有SkypeIn的buddy. 首先你�有SkypeOut的點... [More]

Tracked on August 7, 2005 9:57 PM

Comments to Skype from Mobile Cell Phone


  1. David Savopoulos :
    October 24, 2007 2:55 AM

    Another solution, although it doesn't involve Skype, is JAJAH at www.jajah.com. Jajah works in much the same way as in the article above, except it acts as the third party and the provider both. Jajah stores your contacts online, accepts credit cards for services rendered, and works from either a PC or mobile phone at mobile.jajah.com. Jajah is more expensive per minute than Skype for SkypeOut calling, but consider all charges involve with setting-up Skype to do the same thing Jajah does, it may come out as a wash. I use it when I am mobile, and stick with Skype when I have access to a PC. After initiating a call, Jajah first calls your mobile or landline (your choice of any phone you want). Once you answer, it then calls the other party and connects you. I love it when I am on the go and the sound quality is good and the service reliable. Give it a try!


  1. Ben :
    December 14, 2007 10:14 AM

    Hello Tom, I was wondering if there is anyway for someone to call a Skype account from a land line or mobile phone.
    Cheers
    Ben


  1. none :
    May 8, 2008 5:24 PM

    Why not just go to gizmo project instead?


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