Skype has become one of the most popular of the basically Open Source VoiP phone systems. In addition to their free Skype to Skype services, they offer a range of business class services. However, the platform is sometimes frustrating to use, particularly when adjustments are made and little information is provided.
Since Microsoft has purchased Skype, there may be some changes down the road that may or may not be favorable for users. For instance, Linux members have predicted the end in sight and have already been searching for alternatives. Below are three alternatives to the Skype VoIP phone system to consider.
1. Ekiga
Formerly GnomeMeeting, Ekiga can be found in many distribution channels. It provides SoftPhone, Instant Messenger and Video Conferencing applications in a Voice Over Internet platform (VoIP). What sets Ekiga apart from other Skype alternatives is that it is the first telephone services open source provider that supports both:
*H.323 – An essential and recommended ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector that defines protocols for audio-visual communication sessions on any network. This standard provides for exceptional call, multimedia, bandwidth and signaling control. In addition, it also supports single and multiple point conferences.
*SIP – Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol that is widely used in communication control for systems such as VoIP. This protocol is essential for the creation, modification and termination of two or multi party sessions. Phone sessions may be comprised of either one or many media streams. SIP applications are also used in streaming, video and multimedia distribution, in addition to instant messaging, file transfer, presence information and online gaming.
2. Empathy
The Empathy VoIP phone service supports messaging, text, file transfers and video chat over a variety of protocols. Because it is included in Ubuntu, it is widely recognized. Empathy is actually the default IM client of the GNOME system. As a result, virtually every distribution channel builds upon it from source. In addition to Ubuntu, it also supports:
*Fedora
*OpenSUSE
*Debian
*Arch
*Most Linux distributions
3. Linphone
Linphone has features that are very similar to the Skype VoIP phone system. Recently updated in February 2011, it now includes pause, transfer and resume functions for multiple simultaneous calls. This application also features commercial support, comes in binary and was released under the GNU GPL v2 license.
As it happens, the Free Software Foundation has apparently had the development of software replacements for Skype on its agenda for quite some time. Part of the reason for this might be the fact that the Chinese government regularly spies on Skype conversations. In any case, it may prudent to research the security systems in place for any VoIP phone system being considered.
About Tom Fitton
I dont believe I have heard of any of these. Love my Skype, easy, flexible and free(atleast skype to skype).
Feel free to holla at me on Skype @DaFrosti
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Twitter: mavtrevor
says:
I have actually heard of Empathy…i haven’t really tried any other than skype for my internet calls. There is definitely a reason why skype remains the best for internet calls.
Twitter: xlimderek
says:
Haven’t really heard of them..
I love skype it’s cool
I also use Nimbuzz
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Frankly Speaking I just hate this Theme. Please Don Change the theme.
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Really?
but why? the color? font? layout? I thought it looked good 
(
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Twitter: xlimderek
says:
I love the theme
Its cool
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Twitter: Mediaxxpress
says:
Nice Article!
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Thanks for sharing this useful information.The 3 alternative you describe about Skype for the cheap phone system is really interesting.We known that Skype has become most popular Open Source VoiP phone systems.I like all 3 alternative but i like Ekiga most because the features which they provide is great and interesting.
Twitter: alok_gangs
says:
This alternative are good for making cheap phone call, I am using Skype for making phone calls and looking for some other cheap call service provider. Thanks for sharing this other alternative to making phone call at low cost.
you describe about Skype for the cheap phone system is really interesting.We known that Skype has become most popular Open Source VoiP phone systems.I like all 3 alternative but i like Ekiga most because the features which they provide is great and interesting.
It’s great and useful information about all users for cheap mobile phone calls. Nice service provided easy, flexible and almost free on skype.
Twitter: weselion
says:
What! I never new microsoft bought skype. Nice post sha
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Now it is the era of smart phones and people are connected to internet, so there are more options to get connected. But a voice call has its own importance and so there is technology called VoIP which has made international phone call a cake walk.