Netgear SPH200D Dual-Mode Phone

Voice over IP (VoIP) service Skype works very well for making free or cheap calls from your PC, but if you’re really into chatting, you’re probably going to want a handset to talk into. We’ve reviewed Wi-Fi handsets in the past, which allow those with a Wi-Fi network to have a separate handset lying around the house that they can use for making Skype calls. That doesn’t suit everyone though – most obviously those who don’t have, want or need a Wi-Fi network. With this new device from Netgear, you can link both your landline and Skype services with a wireless handset, without the need for Wi-Fi.

Features
Instead of Wi-Fi, the phone uses DECT (Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) – the same wireless technology as regular cordless phones. This means you only have to plug the supplied base-station into your phone line and you’ve got a regular working telephone that can connect to the usual landline services. To get Skype you’ll also need to connect it to an Ethernet broadband connection, such as an empty socket on the back of a broadband router, so that the phone can connect to the internet. If you don’t already have one of these, you’ll need to get one (Netgear’s own DG834 will do the job for around £40) to replace your existing broadband modem. Make sure, though, that you have an Ethernet port to hook it up to your PC.

Performance
Once everything’s connected, you’re ready to go. If you already have a Skype account you can tap in your details and start making calls straight away. Otherwise you’ll need to register for an account, although this can also be done over your new phone.

If you want to call a non-Skype number, simply dial it as normal. You’ll then get the choice of making the call using Skype Out or your regular phone line. Call quality is as you’d expect, with landline calls proving marginally superior but usually more expensive than the Skype option.

Ease of use
Skype has leapt ahead of the game by providing a version of its software that works on handsets, making it by far the easiest route into VoIP. Using this handset could hardly be simpler, especially if you are one of the many millions who already have a Skype account. Your contacts will already be listed and you can perform most of the basic Skype functions from within the phone. From a landline point of view, you just dial as before.

Value for money
Perhaps it’s on cost that most of these phones lose a point or two, since it will take some serious Skype usage to save the amount of cash that you’re going to have to splash out to buy the phone in the first place. If the appeal of Skype is the cheap phone calls, spending this much on a handset is possibly defeating the object. In the not-too-distant future, you will be able to buy extra phones without the need for further adapters, which will save money if you want to have several phones around your house.