UK VOIP and SKYPE ADAPTERS

Making free internet calls is the craze sweeping the country at the moment, using VOIP services like Skype or MSN Messenger. The problem for now is that you've got to be near your computer in order to utilise a VOIP skype handset or your standard speakers and microphone.

A VOIP adapter or skype adapter is the item that will let you plug your normal phone into a computer and use it to make Skype or VOIP phone calls.

There are many variations of VOIP adapters but you need to make sure it converts to the uk standard telephone socket and not the universal telephone socker.

Some VOIP adapters run on USB and some plug into your soundcard. The USB VOIP Skype adapters tend to allow you to use more features with your analogue phone such as dialling and caller ID.

As usual with other products, with skype adapters it seems to be the case of you get what you pay for, and you should probably consider just buying a cordless skype phone straight off if you don't want any headaches at all.

I prefer my normal office phone though to any others I've seen so here's where I'm looking for a skype adapter to let me use it for VOIP phone calls:

Ebay - do a search on "VOIP adapter" - watch out for UK sellers. Many tech sellers are shipping from China and there's always a chance you'll have to pay import duty on your skype phone adapter.

Micro Direct - these guys have a cable VOIP adapter called the Chat Cord, rather than a box like most skype adapters.