SkypeOut -- Using Skype to Call a Telephone

A. Summary:

You can use SkypeOut to make calls to regular telephones and mobile phones from your computer. To call an international phone number with SkypeOut you will need to set up a prepaid account with Skype.

B. Key Points:

  • SkypeOut allows you to make calls from your computer to a regular telephone line
  • To call regular phones with SkypeOut, you will need to buy Skype credits
  • Skype Credits
  • You may have problems entering additional numbers in SkypeOut, such as conference passcodes
  • For corrections, updates, or clarifications on this Star Point, please email

C. Details:

Skype calls are normally made from computer to computer. But you can use SkypeOut to make calls to regular phone lines. As with computer-to-computer calls you will need a headset and microphone to call a regular phone. See Skype - Getting Startedfor more information on equipment.
Skype requires you to set up an account with them ahead of time, usually paid with a credit card, before you could use your Skype to call a regular phone line.
To use SkypeOut to call a regular telephone, open up Skype, enter the phone number using the Skype keypad or your keyboard and click on the green call button below the Skype keypad.

Currently there is a problem with SkypeOut if you need to enter additional digits, such as a conference-call passcode. Many systems do not recognize the tones put out from SkypeOut, although this does not appear to affect the original phone number dialed.

The VoIP service provided by Skype does not support calling emergency phone numbers such as 911. There would be no way of identifying the correct address of Skype callers.

Charges for SkypeOut

To procure Skype Credit, you must deposit a credit balance on a Skype Account using a major credit card (now Visa or MasterCard), a promotional voucher that you might get from a third-party, or by means of a bank transfer. When using a credit card, you will purchase SkypeOut credit via Moneybookers.com, Paypal or JCB.

If you are using Skype for AFSC business, please read Obtaining Skype Credits.

If you need to administer credits for multiple users, you can register for Skype for Business Control Panel, which allows you to purchase credit for a group and administer it to various Skype names. For more information about Skype for Business Control Panel please go to the following website:

SkypeOut charges are usually posted in Euros. Ten Euros will buy about 10 hours of calling at Skype’s Global Rate. The SkypeOut Global Rate is one rate for the 20 most popular call destinations. It’s currently 2.1 cents per minute to more than 20 countries. Charges for SkypeOut services are calculated by multiplying the duration of the call by the applicable tariff. The duration of a call is based on one-minute increments. Fractions of minutes are rounded up to the next minute for every call 5 seconds or longer. During the call, charges incurred will be deducted automatically from Your SkypeOut account. You can view Skype’s current rates at this website:

If you need to request a refund for unused Skype Credit, you will need to submit a request to Skype’s Customer Support. A credit balance for Skype Credit expires 180 days after the last chargeable use of the Skype Credit. Credit balances that are not used within the said 180 day period will be lost.