Skype is good, 3 is bad

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3 has launched the new Skype phone. Stuart and I have had the privilege of getting our hands on two of these little mobiles for a month’s free trial, to test out the new Skype features.

Two weeks on and the Skype phone and I have started to build up a relationship. I’m enjoying the fact that I can message or call any of my Skype contacts for free, even when I am a million miles away from my computer and everything has been running smoothly on the technical front. I recommend regular Skype users, who are looking for a new phone, to check this one out, especially if you want to cut down on your bill. However, apart from the Skype feature, it’s really just another phone. I was also slightly disappointed by the lack of games (you have to pay for them) that usually keep me entertained on long train journeys home.

I also advise anyone signing a contract with 3 to think very carefully, after I experienced a particularly nasty situation with £1000 of fraudulent telephone calls on a previous contract. The 3 customer service has a lot to be desired and it is impossible to speak to anyone outside of India (My colleague Chris Norton has also recently blogged about customer service and its failings). There is nothing in place to stop thieves making as many calls as they please and no unusual usage measures are in place. In 3’s defence it did send a text message to the stolen phone warning me of the thousands of pounds of calls being made to Asia and Africa but I’m afraid that when your phone has been taken, it is very hard to receive that alert. 3 has refused to refund any of the charges and I am still paying off the debt.