Hack18.Avoid Additional Mobile Phone Charges

Hack 18. Avoid Additional Mobile Phone Charges

The rate charged for both the Skype caller and a mobile phone recipient can vary depending on what mobile phone is called and where it is geographically located.

Works with: all versions of Skype.

SkypeOut call rates vary by destination and by the type of receiving deviceregular phone or mobile (see "Avoid Higher SkypeOut Rates" [Hack #17]).

Often, the rate charged to a mobile phone depends on its location, both when dialing out and when receiving calls. When a mobile phone is outside its designated home network, it is charged additional roaming fees for outgoing and (possibly) incoming calls. So, you can inadvertently cost your call recipient a lot of money by calling him at the wrong time and place. How are you to know when he is outside his regular network (for example, when he is traveling)? This is where a little forward planning by the person who is traveling pays dividends. Ask him to tell you and others in advance when he'll be traveling and suggest that he make his place of doing business or his hotel his alternative contact number. And, on his Skype or regular phone voicemail greeting, have him leave a message telling people where he is and how best to contact him.

Obviously, if you use a mobile phone and Skype, this works in reverse when you are traveling, therefore saving you money. Think ahead and save money.

As an alternative to calling someone's mobile phone, if your message is short, you might want to send a Short Message Service (SMS) message instead. SMS messages are typically far cheaper than voice calls.