Hack61.Communicate Using Skype, Even When Bandwidth Is Low

Hack 61. Communicate Using Skype, Even When Bandwidth Is Low

Even when bandwidth is too low for voice communication, that doesn't mean you can't communicate with other Skype users.

Works with: Pocket PC version of Skype.

Many devices that can run Windows Mobile 2003, but don't meet Skype's minimum requirements (see Table P-1 in the Preface) or don't have a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) connection, can still use Skype.

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) are two mobile phone technologies that allow mobile phones to connect to the Internet, but at data rates insufficient to support Skype's voice-call features. Even so, when your device lacks the processing power and/or Internet connection bandwidth for voice, you can still use Skype chat.

6.3.1. Hacking the Hack

It is even possible to make Skype voice calls from a GPRS-3G phone, such as the Nokia 6630, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, or Nokia 6682. How, you ask? Well, if you strip out all the encryption/decryption and other overhead from a regular Skype call, even GPRS has just enough bandwidth to support a voice call, though the quality of that call may depend a lot on the quality and speed of your GPRS Internet connection.

To make this work you will need to use a Skype add-on (for instance, the Useful GPRS-3G Skype add-on software, which you can get for $22 from http://www.useful-apps.com/new_page_21.htm) that runs on both your mobile phone and your home PC. The add-on client that runs on your mobile phone will relay your voice from your mobile phone to your home PC, where a second component of the Skype add-on is running and feeds your voice into Skype, which then relays the call to its destination in the usual Skype way.

To make Skype voice calls, even over GPRS, follow these steps using the Useful GPRS-3G Skype add-on software:

1. Before you leave home, make sure Skype and the PC-based component of the add-on are running.

2. From your mobile phone, connect to the Internet using GPRS.

3. Start the mobile phone component of the add-on.

4. Input a number to call (SkypeOut) or the name of a Skype contact into the mobile phone add-on, and then click Call (see Figure 6-3).

Your call should be routed to its destination, with the first leg of the call being relayed between your mobile phone and your home PC by the add-on over GPRS, and thence from your home PC to its final destination by Skype.

Figure 6-3. By using Skype add-on software, even devices that lack the Internet connection bandwidth for a regular Skype call can still make voice calls using Skype