Using Skype

**Blackbird** · 5th April 2006, 19:32

This month, we exceeded our Xtra Go Plan Broadband limit by the 3rd week of the month. We've never gone over before at all. The only thing different this month is that we've gone onto Skype so that my wife can yak to her sister in the UK. I haven't actually thought about it before but presumably, with continuous conversation, this would fair chew through the allocation. Or have I got it all wrong?

**bladez** · 5th April 2006, 19:43

skype do charge i think but have you tryed google talk seems to come clear

**James Deuce** · 5th April 2006, 19:44

Don't even worry about it. The charges for excess bandwidth usage are massively cheaper than international tolls. However - with Telescum's data interleaving SKYPE isn't supposed to work. VOIP requires a consistent bandwidth allocation end to end and Telescum are doing everything they can to prevent SKYPE working at the moment.

If it works though, this will be a good thing, trust me. The quality is astounding too.

**James Deuce** · 5th April 2006, 19:46

Originally Posted by bladez

skype do charge i think but have you tryed google talk seems to come clear

SKYPE only charge for their subscription service that allows you access landlines nationally and internationally. Peer to peer initiated calls over the internet are free.

**Blackbird** · 5th April 2006, 19:51

Thanks but we might be talking at cross purposes here. This is the free Skype we're on and the quality really is superb although there seems to be a lag if we're talking to people with dial-up. My problem is that when we exceed our data cap, Telecom drops us back to dial-up speed.

So, back to my simple question... does the free Skype chew up my allocation because one party or the other is talking continuously?

**Karma** · 5th April 2006, 19:52

Dude... do a google search for SKYPE SUPERNODE and bobs your uncle, there you go.

Skype is essentially a P2P service, and therefore you will be not only making your own calls, but also acting as a relay station (node) for other peoples calls as well...

This makes a huge difference in your usage amounts... if you're setup as a node then you'll use that 3gb easy... setup as a non-node, and you'll use like maybe a gig...

**Grizz** · 5th April 2006, 19:52

Could it be that XTRA have increased the download speed, so you might be d'ling faster than you were before. Same talk time more M'Bits? Just a thought.

I have gone from 256K to about 1.8mgs they never told me, it just happened, which reminds me I should check my usage!

**rogson** · 5th April 2006, 20:02

Yep, Telecom are in a classic catch 22.
They have done a deal with the government to encourage uptake of broadband internet in return for keeping their monopoly on the lines business. Problem is Skype (and others) benefit hugely from broadband interconnections, but Telecom can't access the voice/video traffic that it enables (and therefore charge for it) - at least not without disclosing what they are doing.

Watch this space....

**Karma** · 5th April 2006, 20:04

Originally Posted by Grizz

I have gone from 256K to about 1.8mgs they never told me, it just happened, which reminds me I should check my usage!

You mean other than writing you a letter, and posting in the newspaper, and emailing you, and having adverts on the TV every five minutes? :slap:

**Grizz** · 5th April 2006, 21:22

Originally Posted by Weasel

You mean other than writing you a letter, and posting in the newspaper, and emailing you, and having adverts on the TV every five minutes? :slap:

I knew it was going to happen, I mean who doesn't with all the dosh they are spending on advertising. I expected an e-mail to say that as from now you are on plan x giving you x d'load speed, x upload speed, and x mgb limit.

I only noticed by chance. The last e-mail from them was we will keep you informed, so far my d'load speed has increased, but no e-mail from them.

**Brian d marge** · 6th April 2006, 02:22

I use skype all the time for every call, its great. Most of the people I deal with also use skype.

Yes is is a carrier for other calls but as we do not have a cap on bandwith we dont care ( well I dont any way , nor do the others I deal with)

As I write this I am watching discovery channel ( internet tv)

Telescum need to be taken out and shot. Mind you they are not the only ones being silly , I have a 100 Mbs ( advertised) and get locally 33Mbps with an international of,,,,,,, 1.5Mbps
At least in NZ you do actually get 2Mbps.

Customer stickness ,,,its too much of a pain in the Arse to change ......will do one day .....

Stephen