Is Skype VoIP Ready for Business?

New small-business Internet phone service features a consolidated billing option--but not much else.
Richard Morochove Monday, June 26, 2006 12:00 AM PDT

For years big businesses have used Voice over IP systems--phone services that use the Internet--to save on telephone costs. But it's only recently that small businesses, which typically aren't ready (or willing) to make a wholesale switch away from traditional local phone service, have been checking out the cost savings and voice quality by using VoIP on a line or two.

Skype, which started as a personal voice chat and video phone service, now claims more than 100 million users. The company recently introduced a service aimed at small businesses.

In general, business users will likely want better services than those Skype currently offers--for example, consolidated reporting of calls within the group. However, Skype can save you money if you're willing to put up with the odd glitch and a lack of business-level call reporting.

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