Skype

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What Does Skype Mean?

Skype is a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) software application used for voice, video and instant messaging communications. Skype software allows user to make calls, video calls or engage in chat over the Internet. Unlike other similar services, Skype calls use peer-to-peer technology rather than the client-server system.

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Techopedia Explains Skype

Skype to Skype calls are free, while public switched telephone network (PSTN) and mobile calls are either free or subject to certain fees. Registered Skype contact information may be included in the public Skype directory if this is authorized by users.

Skype uses a proprietary codec to facilitate phone and audio/video conferencing calls. Unlike other VoIP applications, Skype relies on servers and background device processing for communication.

Due to network policies, Skype is generally banned in organizations, including government, business, and university settings. Overall, network administrators maintain a unified stance on improper resource and security usage as pertaining to Skype.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.