VOIP Battle for Supremacy

In today's Jamaica we have grown up and out of the wired mentality and are truly liberated. Cordless phones have turned into stylish First World mobile devices. The three (not one) telecommunications companies battle for our hearts and pockets as they roll out varied interesting alternatives.

Voice Over IP is on the increase as well. Just recently CWJ launched it's Netspeak device. It is supposed to give you unlimited calls to USA, UK and Canada fixed lines over your internet connection. The same device is being marketted in most of the other CWJ locations in the Caribbean and is also being boosted by about two other competitors.

In this day of modernism and technology what are the options? It is officially out of style to pay J$15-18 per minute to call abroad. World Direct and Cell Phone calls don't seem to cut it. Prepaid phone cards that claim that for J$400 they can give you an hour is pathetic. What happens if you don't want to pay J$1575 regardless of usage- you still want a pay-as-you-go alternative for VOIP?

I give you SKYPE. Skype allows you to call for U$0.02c per minute to basically anywhere- whether mobile or landline. They have a long list of rates but they all seem to fall around the U$0.02c bracket. They have a prepayment option that allows you to pay JM$800 (through me) and get about 8hrs based on your call pattern. Therefore if you aren't going to call the same people everyday and want to be able to drop in a call now and then then this would be for you.
Lets compare 8hours:

Miphone:	J$6960	($14.50 per minute)
CWJ Netspeak: Flat rate	J$1890	(includes 20%tax and is charged per month)
Skype Alternative	J$800	(credit lasts for three months before needing to be topped up)

Do the math. Feel free to comment or email to see how best you can get on to paying less. All you need is a High Speed internet connection and a headset. If you are stylish I could even throw in a VOIP phone like pictured above.