You’ve Come Unstrung: Setting Up Wireless Skype At Home

Here is a very simplistic nutshell guide to setting up your home for wireless VoIP calling without having to rewire your home. This is a very specific example, for Skype. You may need to adjust some steps for other programs.

1. Get cable or other broadband Internet service. You may not have many choices. I live in an area where high-speed dialup is not supported. So whenever other people in the neighbourhood are using their cable connection as well, my speed slows down. It’s irritating, frustrating, and time consuming, but I have no choice. Keep that in mind, as trying to use VoIP during peak Internet usage times may/ will affect your call quality.
2. Hook a wireless router into your broadband internet connection and configure the router on your computer. Many cable companies will not set this up for you or even give you phone support, so you may have to call the router company.
3. Download Skype and set up an account.
4. Pay for Skype’s SkypeOut credits. (Some areas, such as Canada, USA, and France have limited free promo calling.) Get a SkypeIn phone number (optional, as they are only available in a limited number of cities around the world.)
5. Purchase a Skype-certified Wi-Fi phone.
6. Configure the phone as per the instructions. Some self-configure after you start up Skype on your computer and turn on the phone.
7. Give it a go. Reach out and VoIP someone.

Alternate versions of this post for other wireless VoIP options may appear on this site later.