Skype Phones

[Joseph Sinclair]

Since Skype uses a proprietary protocol, none of the standards-compliant phones will work with it, any phone used for Skype has to be built specifically for Skype.

There are a couple of portable wi-fi phones that are designed for use with Skype (no PC required).  These Skype phones are really expensive right now, around $200+ IIRC, and may not be available at retail.  Other than that, Skype isn't really a normal VoIP provider, they're more of a specialized provider for PC-to-PC calling, so they're not set up to work very well with traditional phones.
You might be able to set up Asterisk to connect to Skype.  Someone with more Asterisk knowledge could verify if that's possible.
If you want more-or-less standard VoIP service, Vonage is the most common name I hear, just plug a Vonage-compatible router into the network, plug your regular phone into the router, and go.  Vonage also has wi-fi phones available as well, if that's your preference.  Other options include SIPphone, VoiceWing, CallVantage, etc...

For reference, here are a couple of Phone options from Skype:
($100) Linksys Cordless Internet Telephony Kit  (needs PC running, connect the base station to USB and the handset is portable).  Will only work with Windows.
($300) NETGEAR WiFi Phone for Skype (SPH101), not yet available, pre-order only.  This phone works with Skype independently, and does not require a PC at all.  It also works anytime it has wi-fi access, so it would work from hotspots, etc...
($190) Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype, not yet available, pre-order only.  This phone works with Skype independently, and does not require a PC at all.  It also works anytime it has wi-fi access, so it would work from hotspots, etc...

A quick Google uncovered the following Linux-compatible options:
http://www.thelinuxshop.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=180&osCsid=74964d1128468150f5e7e243734b5a64
	Simple USB phone for Skype.
http://www.thelinuxshop.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=181&osCsid=74964d1128468150f5e7e243734b5a64
	Simple USB desktop-style phone for Skype

For more alternative providers for any SIP-compliant phones/routers (such as the D-Link SIP routers), check the following link:
    http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/VOIP+Service+Providers+Residential  (Note, USA is about 75% down the page)

tg wrote:
> Someone already doing some voIP with skype? Is there a special ip phone
> like the "Cisco CP-7940G IP Phone" which just gets connected to the
> router/switch in order to receive phone calls.
> Obviously the pc has to run if you make a call to another skype user (skype
> to skype).
> 
> Is there any solution where I can receive phone calls from a regular phone
> over skype (phone-in) or where I can dial a regular phone (phone-out)
> without having to run a pc all the time?
> 
> I would like to have a choice which is based on skype.
> Any suggestions appreciated
> 
> tom
>