skype was working perfectly for me throughout the supposed bad period - so perhaps there were other factors at work (using Etisalat as my provider). You're correct: skype-to-skype = free and then skype-to-landline/mobile varies depending on destination (see International long distance calls at cheap rates ). Something else that may be handy is that you can buy a UK landline number to tag to your skype account (£40 for a year) and so your peeps back in the UK can call you at local rates. And if you want, you can add voicemail...