Skuku VoIP – turn your laptop into your mobile
Ok, I’m a little confused here. I seem to be getting quite into the world of telephone service providers at the moment, from typical landline solutions to mobile VoIP, and trying to work out what the best and cheapest way to make your calls is. The trouble is that Skuku has got me rather stumped.
Skuku is an interesting looking new service coming to the UK after some apparent success in India and the idea behind it is to get rid of roaming charges when making and receiving calls while abroad.
It’s billed as “putting the power of VoIP into your SIM card” and actually that sounds really good on the surface. What you do is out sign up, put some credit in your account and, when you’re away, you put your SIM card into a USB dongle and put the dongle into your laptop or desktop if you’re insane enough to travel with one.
It effectively turns your computer into your mobile phone by picking up a GSM signal and then charging you local rates when you want to talk. The Skuku application retains all your contacts and your own mobile number and you dial on-screen as you would with any other kind of VoIP, or you can use the Skuku softphone if you happen to have splashed out on one of them as well.
In fact, you’re so busy with your new gadgets, software and SIM card fun that it’s only now that you notice that, basically, your using Skype, only with a new dongle and your mobile SIM for no apparent reason. If you need your laptop, the internet and credit to be able to speak, then what difference is it aside having your contacts and a new rather pointless gadget?
Now, either I’ve got this wrong, it’s much cheaper or they really are trying to sell this product on the minor bonus of keeping one’s contact book.
There are no prices available at the moment but I should be finding out more about Skuku before its UK launch on 1st October. If there’s anything interesting to bring you on the matter before then, then I shall. Otherwise I wait with slightly confused if not baited breath.
Skuku
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4 comments
In addition to what’s been said about skuku as its advantages (your own number, callerID, sms), the most important thing is that you can also receive incoming calls with skuku, and you again don’t pay any roaming charges where you would normally when you are receiving international calls.
If they make a version for pda’s, smartphones and iphone that will work over a wireless connection, that will be the real deal. Whenever you are in a wireless spot, that means you can make and receive international calls for only your local rate + a small service fee.
In addition to what’s been said about skuku as its advantages (your own number, callerID, sms), the most important thing is that you can also receive incoming calls with skuku, and you again don’t pay any roaming charges where you would normally when you are receiving international calls.
If they make a version for pda’s, smartphones and iphone that will work over a wireless connection, that will be the real deal. Whenever you are in a wireless spot, that means you can make and receive international calls for only your local rate + a small service fee.
I’ve tried otu Skuku a couple times and I have to say the real benefit for me, is keeping my own phone number. Contacts is a nice little add on, but lets be honest, you can upload your contacts to skype from outlook. That’s not really a big deal. As far as the computer goes, I always travel with my laptop and just about everyone I know does as well, so that’s not really a big deal. I have to say i love the texting feature as well..
I have been doing some research on Skuku myself since hearing about them a few weeks ago. I travel alot and Skype has been my main mode of communication when I am out of the country. I know for me personally, using my own number seems really interesting. I called the comapny (www.skuku.com) and their rates (after doing some math) beat Skypes for whenI am calling my home country. In addition, alot of people I call answer the cell phone when they see it is me calling on the Caller ID so it has that benefit too. The contacts feature doesn’t do it for me because my phone is synched with Outlook anyway, but another plus is that I have an unlimited texting plan on my phone and I texct ALOT so for me the texting from abroad and from my number is free (well minus their mothly charge). I have already placed an order for one and when it gets here I will keep you informed as whether it meets my expectations or not.
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