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Skype Review
Encrypted voice over IP

I had a chance to play around with Skype this week, and came away impressed. Skype is another "internet phone" product for PCs but with a few key differences. Skype boasts it has been downloaded over 7 million times, and as of the time of writing this article has over 200k users listed as online from all over the world (including 40 that claim to be in Iraq).

There is nothing new about voice applications for PCs, they have been around in one form or another from before there was widespread broadband. (net2phone among others). So why write about Skype?

Skype offers a few interesting twists on the concept, twists that could put it in a box seat if governments seek to tax Voice over IP networks and push for the right to silently wire-tap paid VOIP services, as easily as they can wire-tap regular phone lines: despite recent protestations by Vonage et al, that wire-tap orders will be "difficult" to obey on VoIP networks, they are certainly "possible".

encryption Skype is point to point encrypted with 256bit AES. This is the best published cipher that the world currently has. Although it there may be some attacks against the current AES that could reduce its strength, barring new math techniques, a 256bit AES encrypted message is not likely to be broken .. this decade.

A practically unbreakable encrypted phone call means that the NSA can be the man in the middle between you talking to your Mom, devote all their resources to cracking the conversation, and never prove in a court of law that you told her you liked the cardigan she knitted you. One cannot underestimate the significance of this: Companies like Vonage and Packet8 have the capability at least in theory of providing the Feds wire-taps of subscriber calls, with Skype, if you believe their software is written correctly, this is impossible. The encryption is arranged by both PCs taking part in the call, and the keys are unique for each call and thrown away after. An electronic wiretap would require corruption/cooperation of the actual PC making the call using Skype.

peer to peer Skype is built by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, the folks behind p2p file sharing software Kazaa (although it claims not to ship with spyware, yet). The service is peer to peer with no central server routing and accounting for all Skype conversations. The details of what exactly the Skype company servers do, are sketchy, but your encrypted data certainly does not go via them. In this sense, Skype is almost infinitely scalable.

High quality codec. Skype came under some rotten-egg criticism from the Vonage chief who called the call quality "terrible". Well, we're not sure what was wrong with his PC, because that is not our experience. The codec is 128kbit, which is a wider data path than Vonage offers and over twice as wide as the PSTN (public switched telephone network), and the quality (with even a cheap USB headset) reminds one of a sound recording booth. A 128kbit mp3 file of someone speaking hardly sounds any better! Skype does need and use a broadband connection, it is pointless trying it over a dialup connection.

Works over NAT. Skype uses UDP and will work with all but the most rigid firewalls. In my test calls, both parties were behind secure home NAT routers with no ports "poked open", and yet calls could be made back and forth without issue. Whether Skype works over some more paranoid corporate firewalls is unclear.

Free So far, Skype is totally free as they add features. Skype is backed by a VC firm and their plan to monetize the product in future is not clear. Our guess is that when they meet some user targets, additional premium features will cost money.

I downloaded and installed Skype (windows only, so far), and the signup process was fast and easy - they do not even require any valid email address - it is there merely in case you forget your login password. Accounts, and any extra details you wish to give it, are stored on a Skype server.

Testing Skype with a cheap USB headset (one from a playstation 2 game), I quickly convinced a friend with a laptop microphone to test things out. If you are logged into Skype (which looks a bit like any other instant messaging program), you can see which of your contacts are online and initiate a call to them. If they do not pickup, their end notifies them of a "missed call" (no voice mail facility is offered). You can also use a functional instant message chat interface for contacts who do not have mic or speakers. Our calls were crystal clear, and even though the other party had no headset, Skype squelched my voice as it was picked up by their laptop microphone.

If your broadband (or home wireless) connection is flakey, Skype calls will degrade, adding lag and periods of silence. On a very bad connection, Skype hardly worked at all, but then again, neither did Vonage.

Skype have also just added 5 way calling: such a facility may be of interest to gamers looking for higher quality alternatives to team-speak type programs.

The directory lookup service in Skype is also fast enough to use reliably. You can search for Skype users by language, email, country and more.

Skype does NOT connect with the regular telephone network (no calling any telephone numbers from Skype, and no being called from Skype). This functionality is also listed as "coming soon". It is unlikely that Skype can add to-phone functionality without adding fees. However, if they do offer reliable to-phone functions I for one will be happy to upgrade my USB headset (perhaps to one that is wireless and bluetooth, or this one) and use Skype instead of my cellphone or home phone when sitting at the PC.

Skype is no replacement for a home phone, and no threat to vonage, yet. It has no 911, and you can only call friends who are online with Skype along with you. However as a way to speak to people with broadband connections living overseas, or people with broadband connections who tend to sit at their PC all day or all evening, it is an impressive bit of software.

If you try Skype and want to receive calls from other BBR users, feel free to post your callto URL.
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MystBlade
Premium Member
join:2002-10-21
Lacey, WA

MystBlade

Premium Member

Cool

Kinda like Free_Phone IP I will dl and test it out too yeah!
averagedude
join:2002-01-30
San Diego, CA

averagedude

Member

Re: Cool

I have been using it off and on for a month.

It works thru nat-routers WITHOUT having to create a DMZ or to open all ports.

mario55
join:2002-02-12
Hollywood, FL

mario55 to MystBlade

Member

to MystBlade
this is very cool, i have been useing it abnout a month now too, and a friedn of mines uses it to talk to her mom in isreal

Robert
Premium Member
join:2001-08-25
Miami, FL

Robert

Premium Member

So the only good thing..

So the only good thing about Skype is that it's encrypted? I use Yahoo! messenger to speak to friends, broadband users as well as dialup users can talk to me using Yahoo! Voice. And it's free.

justin
..needs sleep
Mod
join:1999-05-28
2031

justin

Mod

Re: So the only good thing..

No the other good thing is the voice quality is much better than Yahoo messenger.

Robert
Premium Member
join:2001-08-25
Miami, FL

Robert

Premium Member

Re: So the only good thing..

said by justin:
No the other good thing is the voice quality is much better than Yahoo messenger.

Different PCS, different connections, different equipment will make the quality appear better/worse. For me, the quality on yahoo is very good. For others, it isn't. Same goes for the CEO of Vonage who felt the quality of Skype was bad.. you had different opinons.

None the less, excellent review! And excellent website Justin! Keep up the great work!

justin
..needs sleep
Mod
join:1999-05-28
2031
Billion BiPAC 7800N
Apple AirPort Extreme (2011)

justin

Mod

Re: So the only good thing..

no that isn't quite right. All these voice over IP products pick a certain codec and the bitrate of that codec determines how good the quality is. No VOIP products have yet gone to 128kbit, as far as I know. They all have maximum rates less than that.
The vonage guy who said skype sounds bad probably had a bad connection. If you have a good connection, 128k is easy to hit, but only if the software is there to go that high.

MxxCon
join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY
ARRIS TM822
Actiontec MI424WR Rev. I

2 edits

MxxCon

Member

not exactly 128kbit

Justin i believe you are mistaken that it is using 128kbit codec.
i used bandwidth monitor to see how much traffic Skype was using..tried to compare it to Vonage's (supposedly) 9-11k/s..
to my somewhat surprise during 1-on-1 call Skype was using a constant bidirectional stream of data at 5k/s(even when both parties were silent..)
so from my experience it can not possibly be using 128kbit.

I'm not saying Skype sounds bad(it's defiantly not), just saying that it doesn't look like 128kbit...

justin
..needs sleep
Mod
join:1999-05-28
2031
Billion BiPAC 7800N
Apple AirPort Extreme (2011)

1 edit

justin

Mod

Re: not exactly 128kbit

From their FAQ
quote:
Skype automatically selects the best codec depending on the connection between yourself and the person you are calling. On average, Skype uses between 3-16 kilobytes/sec – depending on bandwidth available for other party, network conditions in between, callers CPUs, etc.
Maybe for your connection it decided not to be so hi-IQ

16 kb/sec is 128kbit, near enough.

MxxCon
join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY
ARRIS TM822
Actiontec MI424WR Rev. I

MxxCon

Member

Re: not exactly 128kbit

well, sound quality was as good as i ever heard at home or at work..however i measured bandwidth only from home.

but i haven't found any mention of 128kbit or any other bitrate it uses..

rchandra
Stargate Universe fan
Premium Member
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105
ARRIS ONT1000GJ4
EnGenius EAP1250

rchandra to justin

Premium Member

to justin

Re: So the only good thing..

said by justin:
No VOIP products have yet gone to 128kbit, as far as I know. They all have maximum rates less than that.
...and to me, there is a very pragmatic reason for that: there are just a boatload of people like me who only have 128K up...that'd be most of the rest of residential VZ people. And this rate sucks too, because I can't make usable 3-way calls; it seems I would need at least 256K up.

justin
..needs sleep
Mod
join:1999-05-28
2031

justin

Mod

Re: So the only good thing..

complain to verizon.
Upstream should be 512k at least by now. I am on 768 and it is very nice indeed. I can upload pictures to forums or websites without timing out, for one example.

rchandra
Stargate Universe fan
Premium Member
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105
ARRIS ONT1000GJ4
EnGenius EAP1250

rchandra

Premium Member

Re: So the only good thing..

I guess the question is, if they did increase upstream, at what price? I would have hoped for more upstream at $60/mo. as it was before their current plan of $35/mo., but it looks like if I want the next offered tier, 384K, it's going to be biz-class and $90/mo. If you think about it, VZ have a vested interest in not providing enough bandwidth for VoIP. sigh....

Power Stink? maybe. Experience in this area varies widely, from not so many problems, to the typical cable modem nightly slowdowns and packet loss.

It just stinks, especially compared to other areas of the world.

Sebastian
Premium Member
join:2000-12-22
New Haven, CT

Sebastian to justin

Premium Member

to justin
Thanks for the review.

I have got a couple of friends to try this. it sounds great. We currently use ventrilo (»www.ventrilo.com) which is similar to Team-speak but only a lot better in terms of sound quality. Skype's sound quality is just as good as Ventrilo.

As for using Skype as a tool for online-gamers to communicate. I would wonder how much bandwidth is used, more so upstream bandwidth. I would guess if it's 'near' 128bit mp3 quality then the bandwidth it uses would be quite high, Even more so during a conference call? Unless you're all connected to some Skype server and using some of their bandwidth to transmit.

Corvus
Flaming Tards Since 2003
Premium Member
join:2003-11-26

Corvus

Premium Member

Ok for voice...

But I'm still waiting for webcam support before swicthing!

Cougar311
join:2002-07-18
Marietta, GA

Cougar311

Member

Re: Ok for voice...

iChat (»www.apple.com/ichat/) does that. You can do video and voice all for free and it works amazingly good!

You would need a Mac though. I would think there would be something like that for the PC??

graysonf
MVM
join:1999-07-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL

graysonf

MVM

Nothing really new

Maybe this is just the next one of these things to come along but nothing really new.

Speak-Freely predates it by years, and PGP-Phone by almost a decade, although neither of these really caught on. But the same thing can also be said for dozens of other, albeit non-encrypted soft phones that have come and gone over the years.

In fact, the one that started it all, and also fell by the wayside was IPhone by Volcaltec that used to employ none other than the current VoIP guru Jeff Pulver.

mario55
join:2002-02-12
Hollywood, FL

mario55

Member

Re: Nothing really new

not new, but this is very catchy ,... at least i think it is

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Great

This is nice and all, but I'm not really paranoid enough to need my calls encrypted.

Aside from the fact I don't use my HOME phone very often, much less talk to people online via voice.
Wiz4rd1
join:2001-12-26
Omak, WA

Wiz4rd1

Member

Re: Great

I'm not sure why they say it requires a broadband connection. I use it and talk to people all over the world on my 56k and it works and sounds great. Just don't go downloading and surfing the net while doing it.
oldframe
Pipe Dreams
Premium Member
join:2003-07-26
Houston, TX

oldframe

Premium Member

Re: Great

ok, let's see...

56k modem, 56kilobits... we'll say you connect at 49,333, or 49kb/s. Now, the review says that the codec runs at 128kilobit. The quality has to be VERY degraded.

m3t4lw01f
join:2001-08-19
S7R0A5

m3t4lw01f

Member

Re: Great

said by oldframe:
ok, let's see...

56k modem, 56kilobits... we'll say you connect at 49,333, or 49kb/s. Now, the review says that the codec runs at 128kilobit. The quality has to be VERY degraded.

The website (www.skype.com) states:
quote:
How much bandwidth does Skype use while I’m in a call?
Skype automatically selects the best codec depending on the connection between yourself and the person you are calling. On average, Skype uses between 3-16 kilobytes/sec – depending on bandwidth available for other party, network conditions in between, callers CPUs, etc.
So you're looking at a max of 16 kilobytes per second, or 128 kilobits per second.

DadeMurphy
Premium Member
join:2002-07-25
Danvers, MA

DadeMurphy

Premium Member

Re: Great

yeah 128 kilobits per second, and you're connected at 49 kilobits per second.

With TCP/IP overhead you are probably only able to utilize about 40 - 45 kilobits at the best network conditions.

You'll probably notice that it sounds thrice as good if you upgrade to a better I-net connection.

Moonjo
Premium Member
join:2001-10-29
Aurora, CO

Moonjo

Premium Member

Qualtiy is really superb!

The quality of service with Skype is very good if not excellent. Consider this, the current version is still beta and it's free. I've used RogerWilco for playing online and TeamSpeak. Skype's quality out distances both those. The big draw back for Skype with playing online is that it is only a 1-to-1 connection, making it unsuitable for multiplayer voice chats. But multi-user voice chat is coming, or so the makers of Skype say.

The quality of Skype is better than my mobile phone service (I have Verizon) when I call my cousin in Vegas. At the very least it's worth a try.

Buzzzzer
@209.36.x.x

Buzzzzer

Anon

Re: Qualtiy is really superb!

SKYPE is great as voice quality and as innovation. Is first of all a P2P, and the fact that is encrypted is a + . I have used it over a dial-up connection all over the world, from US and to US, and the quality of sound on a scale from 1-10 would be a 9 ! Yahoo is not bad, but is no near SKYPE. The only drawback with SKYPE is that you may have "a third party" in your computer - see other posts on BBR.

justin
..needs sleep
Mod
join:1999-05-28
2031

justin to Moonjo

Mod

to Moonjo
they added 5 way calling this week.

Moonjo
Premium Member
join:2001-10-29
Aurora, CO

Moonjo

Premium Member

Re: Qualtiy is really superb!

Really?? Cool! I'll download/upgrade tonight and check it out.

heels_fan
1.20.09 The start of Socialism
Premium Member
join:2003-02-07
Columbia, TN

heels_fan

Premium Member

XP only PLEASE

skype will only work for WinXP correct?

Minimum System Requirements:
PC running Windows 2000 or XP
400 MHz processor
128 MB RAM
10 MB free disk space on your hard drive
Sound Card, speakers and microphone
Internet Connection (either dial-up: minimum 36.6 Kbps modem, or any broadband: cable, DSL, etc.)

Recommended System Requirements:
PC running Windows 2000 or XP
1 GHz processor
256 MB RAM
30 MB free space on your hard drive
Full duplex sound card (most sound cards made after 1998), headset
Cable, DSL or equivalent broadband connection to Internet

m3t4lw01f
join:2001-08-19
S7R0A5

m3t4lw01f

Member

Re: XP only PLEASE

said by heels_fan:
skype will only work for WinXP correct?
According to the website FAQ, it's not supported under 98 or ME but it may work without problems. You have to remember that this is still beta software. So if you do try on 98/ME and come across a bug, let them know so that they can fix it.

georgequ
Premium Member
join:2003-05-10
Painesville, OH

georgequ

Premium Member

Re: XP only PLEASE

said by m3t4lw01f:
said by heels_fan:
skype will only work for WinXP correct?
According to the website FAQ, it's not supported under 98 or ME but it may work without problems. You have to remember that this is still beta software. So if you do try on 98/ME and come across a bug, let them know so that they can fix it.

I am running ME and have used Skype for several months now to talk to my family in the Netherlands.
The voice quality is some of the best I have seen. And in this day and age, the encryption is a definite plus in my opinion.
Only problem is that once every so often there is an "echo" for lack of another word.
I would say for example: How are you doing today" and as soon as I finish, I hear myself say "doing today"
Whenever that happens we just stick to very short sentences.
macmouse
Premium Member
join:2002-05-30
Carlsbad, CA

1 recommendation

macmouse

Premium Member

Re: XP only PLEASE

Ah, that's because you are using an standalone microphone and an pair of speakers. On one end or the other.

The problem is, when you talk, your voice comes out her speakers and is then picked up by her microphone, and then transmitted back to you.

This is not an software problem.

The "best" solution, is to get an headset with integrated microphone. Impossible to get an echo with those.

[Okay, maybe if you had it on max, with an amplifier and so on.. but certainly not under normal conditions]

Another is to decrease the volume on her speakers (not perfect) or to go to half duplex (press an key to transmit).

Sarick
It's Only Logical
Premium Member
join:2003-06-03
USA

Sarick to heels_fan

Premium Member

to heels_fan
What about a playatartion USB headset. Those you can plug right in..

Do you still need a soundcard?

m3t4lw01f
join:2001-08-19
S7R0A5

m3t4lw01f

Member

Re: XP only PLEASE

said by Sarick:
What about a playatartion USB headset. Those you can plug right in..

Do you still need a soundcard?

That will work...did that last night

mario55
join:2002-02-12
Hollywood, FL

mario55 to heels_fan

Member

to heels_fan
i used it on win 2K ... its ok for me

Authority
join:2000-03-29
Los Angeles, CA

Authority

Member

"wireless and bluetooth"

> my USB headset (perhaps to one that is wireless and
> bluetooth

Have you seen one??

•••••

GlobalMind
Domino Dude, POWER Systems Guy
Premium Member
join:2001-10-29
Indianapolis, IN

GlobalMind

Premium Member

In action...

A fellow in my office here used Skype to chat with a customer in South America...worked like a charm, little latency and good sound quality.

Pretty nifty really.

K.

MxxCon
join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY
ARRIS TM822
Actiontec MI424WR Rev. I

1 recommendation

MxxCon

Member

Something in EULA

i think you should've mentioned 2 things regarding »www.skype.com/eula.html
1st thing is section 9(c) which i brought up in the thread »Skype EULA says it's spyware/backdoor trojan? trying to figure out it's exact meaning..
and another is section 6 "Payment"

You acknowledge that certain functions in the Skype Software are only available to paid subscribers after a free trial period of the Skype Software and Services (the "Free Trial Period") ends. After the Free Trial Period ends, you will be presented with the option to subscribe to the Subscription Services. If you do not wish to subscribe, you acknowledge that you can not access functions and services only available to paid subscribers. To subscribe to the Subscription Services you must agree to the terms and conditions of the Subscription Services.

justin
..needs sleep
Mod
join:1999-05-28
2031
Billion BiPAC 7800N
Apple AirPort Extreme (2011)

justin

Mod

Re: Something in EULA

the "spyware" thing is not that, it is just covering their asses in case you sue them because someone calls you.

the other thing is standard as well - what service in the world would promise unlimited free function forever? they are just reserving the opportunity to start charging.

Sarick
It's Only Logical
Premium Member
join:2003-06-03
USA

1 recommendation

Sarick

Premium Member

Security Security Security.

What is up with security and P2P will this program open up exploits or features that allow auto installs of spyware or Adware at a later time?

I'm aware that the P2P technology that skype uses might leave holes in ones security.

People need to look into that.

HearMe
@comcast.net

HearMe

Anon

HearMe

Anyone remember HearMe ? Up to 50 people could talk[voice] and type text. Quality was excellent. HearMe would eMail you the code and you could place it on your website, it just kicked azz...
jhorne79
join:2004-01-26
Fort Wayne, IN

jhorne79

Member

Loved it

Downloaded and used Skype last night. It even worked well while i was playing Mohaa online. Compared to Yahoo or Msn, Skype blows them away. Clear as a Bell.
Patrizia9
join:2003-09-01
Italy

Patrizia9

Member

What people want

Well, I wouldn't call Skype "quite a revolution in communication technology ".
I remember we used to talk with a VoIp software long before Napster invented P2P.
It is true, we could call and talk, and understanding was something else.
Skype looks much better if you consider the voice quality, thanks also to the fact that now we have faster connections.

But what people really want?

When they want to call they want a telephone ( mobile), they want to dial a number and they want to talk.
If possible cheap and, why not for free...

The real revolution is what we can give:

www.worldonip.com

1) Access point that reaches up to 15 Kilometers and up to 90 users on one line.

You can have as many as you want...

2) Wireless mobile IP telephone that works in a coverage of 15 Kilometers( 10 miles) costs around 200 dollars, is as easy to use as any other GSM .

3) Any phone can call for free another Ip phone, locally, Nationally, Internationally, Intercontinentally.
Can call any other phone using a termination.

The VoIP Access Point costs around $1400 and you can share it among 90 people.

This is a Technological revolution.
Hard to believe, but it is true.

Marconi invented the Wireless and Antonio Meucci invented the Telephone, it happens that we talk the same language...

Patrizia

patrizia@worldonip.com

JackMcCabe
@cpe.net.cable.rogers

JackMcCabe

Anon

Great Software

What's with the advertising?

Anyway, about Skype. I used it to call Israel today from Canada for the first time. All I can say is WOW! The quality was close to (if not the same as) a normal phone. Now, I have a 128k connection, and the other party has DSL (1.3-.15 Mbs would be my best guess). Everythig works very very well. Now, all I have to try is conference calling.

I am especially impressed with the fact that it doesn't break up. I've used HoneyQ (the ICQ add-on back in 1998), MSN, AIM, RogerWilco, and NetMeeting, and each and every one of those breaks up the voice. This, in 45 minutes of conversation accross the ocea did not break up once. This software made a great impression on me, and I reccommend it to everyone.
zach3
Zach
Premium Member
join:2000-05-04
Saint Louis, MO

zach3

Premium Member

Skype & Dialup

Been using Skype for over 2 months and find that it works very well. Even have a friend with a dialup connection and our conversations are not perfect but better than anything I have ever tried before. Our conversations will break-up a little but generally good.

gate1975mlm
Premium Member
join:2001-09-30
Philadelphia, PA

gate1975mlm

Premium Member

Re: Skype & Dialup

This thing rocks!
lareb
join:2002-03-23
philippines

lareb

Member

skype on windows 98se

It works fine even on dial up connection. The connection is better than yahoo messenger and it now allows calling landlines.

MikeTours
@range81-154.btcentra

MikeTours

Anon

PC to Phone

I used Skype for the first time today too.

I tested it by calling from London to South Africa (where the telephone network and Internet are pretty bad in general).

I subscribed to a 10 euro call credit. I made a 25 minute call, which cost just over £1 (less than 2 euro's). Had I made the same call from the house phone it would have cost about £13, and from my mobile about £22.

The call was perfectly clear, and I can really recommend this over MSN and Yahoo, which I've never been really happy with making calls to SA.

I've also tried searching for any adware or spyware and have so far found none.

Dennis Jones
@cox.net

Dennis Jones

Anon

Beta Test VOIPail - Skype Voicemail

Everyone has been wanting Skype voicemail and now it is finally here through the use of VOIPail.

Become a Beta Tester for VOIPail - Voicemail appication for Skype and VOIP users.

Sign-up at »www.voipail.com
hannahsia
join:2004-10-30
Temecula, CA

hannahsia

Member

Skype has bad quality and very bad support

Skype has bad quality and very bad support

I have problem using Skype to call real phone recently (It was working ok before). The other side cannot hear my voice but I can hear them. I live chatted with Skype's support (Nadia) regarding this problem. She kept asking me to verify if the other side have installed the right verion of Skype and can record their own sound. I have repeatly told her the other side is a real phone, not a PC. She still wanted me to follow the verification instruction on other side. It's hard to belive Skype's support is so incompetent!!! She then terminated my chat session intentionally. I restarted the live chat again, it's still Nadia to answer the support call. I asked to talk to another support person, she then never chatted back (left me waiting forever).
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