For those of you unfamilier with Skype, it is a peer to peer text, voice and video application. The Skype website says, “Skype is free calls, video calls and instant messages. And you can call landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world at great rates. Free to download and easy to use. “ I agree, in principle, with their statement.

SkypeIn(tm) is when you buy a 10 digit phone number and have it assigned to your Skype Account. People can call you from a cell phone or landline by dialing your Skypein number and ringing you on your computer.  You can buy SkypeIn numbers for 21 countries… but unfortunately, not Canada.

Until Now…
Now you can get a number for most major Cities in Canada for Skype…
…but still not from Skype.

If you really want a SkypeIn number with a Canadian area code, there is a really inexpensive way to acheive it.  I did.  I can now be reached on my Skype account by anyone who dials my new number with the 403 Area Code – 403-775-2205 (give it a try… I spend 80% of my day near a PC)

Here is how you can get a Canadian phone number to ring into your Skype account;

1. Get a subscription for unlimited calling in the US & Canada for your Skype account… 3 months, the cost is $7.95.
2. Buy a SkypIn number for your account.  Choose from a number for any of the 21 Countries that are available… I chose a number in Texas. I like Texas.
3. Now, navigate yourself over to LES.NET.  Sign up for an account ( no cost to open the initial account).
4. After you are logged into your LES.NET account –> click the menu “order DID” that’s a fancy telecom term for “Phone Numbers” (direct inward dial… I think
5. Once you buy the phone number you want for Calgary… you need to get it to ring into your Skype Account.
6. Click the menu Peers/Trunks –> on the bottom, click “New Trunk”
7. Edit the Trunk details –> give it a name  –> Peer Type = Phone Number –> Peer Address = YOUR SKYPEIN number… remember the number you bought and assigned to your Skye Account earlier   –> SAVE your changes.

Now. There you have it!  Dial the local 403 number (in my case) and it forwards directly to my SkyIn number in Texas and then rings through to my PC!

Les.net rates are very inexpensive. You can get a North American Toll Free number for a one time fee $15, montly fee $2.50 and $0.055/min.  Canadian numbers with Les.net are $3.50 per month plus $0.011 per minute or a flat rate of $8.88. You choose, pay-as-you-go or flat rate.

I know that it is sometimes easier read than done. If you want a local Canadian number for your Skype account and find the above steps overwhelming… just drop me an email from the contact page here and  I will either coach you through it or just simply get you setup.

Happy Skyping.

Hey – why not get Skype now and give me a call? – 403-775-2205

Cheers -
David A. West

1996 was when I first started instant messageing my long time friend Robin Lecomte. After high school we went off in our own directions, me to Toronto, him to Edmonton.  I ended up in Calgary in 1991 and in 1996 Robin and I started chatting away on ICQ.

I tried MSN over the years… but something about it didn’t really work for me

We, as a business, Adopted Yahoo IM

We adopted Yahoo messanger as our IM tool of choice after testing both Yahoo and Skype around 4 years ago.  At the time voice chatting was only supported by Skype (if I recall correctly) and while voice via an instant messanger was kinda cool… the voice quality wasn’t.  We still chat primarily with IM text messages… until this week.

Testing IM Voice Quality with D.A.D.

The true test for voice quality over the last few years has been a quick call to my father – Larry. He isn’t much tuned into technology, but he has no quams about telling me if he thinks it’s a “bad technology”. So over the years when I test various voice-over-ip services, I just give Dad a call.  Just the slightest echo or static will put him over the edge. “Are you talking to me through that dumb computer again?”, he would say. I called my brother the other day using Yahoo and a new speaker phone for instant messangers… “Can’t you afford to call me on a real phone…” he asked.  I concede, they were right. The voice quality from Yahoo messanger wouldn’t cut the mustard in business.

What About Skype?

I installed the latest version of Skype and made it my default internet phone software.  I dial Dad’s number… slowly and with a degree of apprehension. What unique and colourful remark will he have for  me when he detects that I am talking to him through my PC again?

Dad: Hello.
David:  Hi Dad.
Dad: My Son!  (yes, it’s true, he talks that way)
David: What have you been up to today?
Dad: …well…

He goes on to tell me about his adventure building a fence gate.  My fence of course, I am not very handy with a hammer… I type fast though

To my delight, Dad didn’t detect that I was talking to him through my computer on a speaker phone.

Skype has evolved into an excellent, quality service. They have tons of plans, services and options available.  I am quite excited about the possibilities!

My business… we are holding our first conference call using Skype this Saturday. There will be 7 of us connecting at a pre-determined time to do a full project review. Helen will be connecting from her Hotel in London.

We will be adding Skype support to our growing list of products and services that we recommend to our small business clients.

Hey – why not get Skype now and give me a call?

Cheers -
David A. West