Cheap Talk
18 December 2008
Using a computer, Bhutanese can ring anywhere in the world cheaply, thanks to Skype.
The global internet telephone company has revolutionised the international telephone market with its Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Abi Narayan, founder of Bhutan Web Solutions said it is easy. “One just needs to download Skype software and install it on the computer and start contacting friends all over the world at the cheapest rates.”
He said all that is needed is a normal headphone set and computer with internet connection. Calling from one computer to another is free, while the cost of a computer to fixed line requires purchasing a voucher with a credit card.
According to Abi, it is possible to call a fixed line number in Bhutan using Skype although it is a little expensive but calling the Americas and Europe is very cheap. Calling USA costs just 0.017 Euros (Nu 1) in a minute and calling Bhutan for a minute costs 0.18 Euros (Nu 11.34).
Abi said business people could use Skype to meet their business partners all over the world using video calls and conference calls, which are cost effective and convenient.
The telecommunication regulators in Bhutan are still formulating rules for VoIP. The Head of Telecom in Bhutan InfoComm and media Authority, Wangay Dorji said all the Internet service providers in Bhutan can provide VoIP facilities. The users are allowed to make international calls using internet but for the local calls, the rule has not come into effect. However, he said calling PC-PC using internet in Bhutan is allowed.
Wangay Dorji said that Skype is a virtual provider and “we have no control over it.”
Dr. Brian C. J. Shaw, a Hong Kong Academic, said Skype applications could be used to transfer, voice, data and videos.
“It has a potential to replace many other modes of communications. Laptops are getting smaller and there is wireless internet possible in many countries. One can connect to a laptop and make calls to any countries using these applications. Talking over the Skype is just like making a local call.
The voice quality is very clear” Sonam Wangchen of Bhutan Excursion said tourists are increasingly using Skype today. He said since it was expensive to make telephone calls from Bhutan, they use Skype. “Skype have dual advantage,” he said. “Tourists call the fixed lines from the Skype and ask their friends and relatives to come online and talk Skype to skype.” Talking Skype-Skype is free as Skype provides free Skypeto- Skype voice and video calls and instant messages.
Dorji who buys Skype credits from Abi, said “Looking at the economic realities today, it was important to reduce expenses on voice, video and instant messaging communication.” Dorji calls his business partner in Hong Kong using Skype.
“I have been using Skype for a long time and I am sure that the development of this product in our country will let people communicate freely without unnecessary expense and let business, particularly small to medium-sized, optimize their communication expenditures,” Abi said. It is estimated that over 100 people in Bhutan has Skype credits.
Since its launch, Skype’s software had been downloaded over 145 million times, and around 40 million registered users are using Skype’s services today.
For more information go to www.skype. com.
By Rabi C. Dahal
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It is quite a shameless claim by Abi to be the first Skype user of Bhutan, please be informed that people from Bhutan have been using it, and may be it is popular this days due to the broadband, and GPRS and 3G mobile internet speed.
Please also include the internet charge when using skype, the computer power consumption, and also talk of voice quality. Telecom provide VOIP service, and also Tashi Cell, to terminate their international calls.
RABI C DAHL!! i think you need to more research before you write such stuffs in the media..what are u man???i used Skype way back in 2005!!
or are you paid by SKYPE for writing this?????
by the way there is VOIP serives provided both by Bhutan Telecom and Tashi Cell..just Dial 010 instead of 00 ..for example if u dial to USA just dial 0101-XXXXX instead of 001-XXXX … Telecom gives 10/min for all destinations and tashi for 8/minute …
by the way SKYPE isnt the greatest VOIP solution available …there are many Gizmo, VOIP disocunt, POIVY , VOIP Buster many more man ..and I use Poivy to call Bhutan from where i am …it is less than Nu 4.5 per minute and voice quality is very good …you can give a free test if u dont believe me…www.poivy.com ..and tehre are lot of free destinations ..USA< singapore, China,Thailand …and more than 40 other destinations..for free!!!!! btw Skype isnt cheap!..they have recently raised voice charges to many destinations …
let me give you some lesson on skype … unlike many other VOIP services (that use SIP or H.323)……skype uses a technology called P2P or peer to peer protocol …and just watch skype on your task bar on the right when it is idle …there is some activity going on …you know what that is ? smart idea for them. they are using our Computer Processes when we are idle ..but they didnt ask they’d do that..illegal huh?? ..tthey are doing this got million other PCs …this saves them money man!!!..they will not have to buy so many servers to serve millions of users …. i hate skype ..
Thanks Bhutan Observer for quoting me,
I have been using skype since their BETA release in early 2002. since then i have helped lot of foreigners working in Bhutan get in touch with their families and friends abroad.
If you need skype Vouchers, please contact Bhutan Web Solution at +975-2333653…
I am just wondering if it is a legal business, to do VOIP service in Bhutan without a license.
Hi Tenzin,
Bhutan Web Solutions is a Govt. Registed company with licence to provide any IT and Computer related products and services…
Abi
HI HOW CAN I GET VOUCHER CARD