Travel Technology - D-link DPH-50U Skype Adapter mini review

I'm getting tired of the international rates on Vonage going up every month, so yesterday I picked up a D-link DPH-50U Skype phone adapter. It cost $40 (after I got 20% off at a closing CompUSA).

Installation is simple, you plus the device into your PC (USB), connect your existing PSTN phone line and phone(s).

When you install the application Skype asks if you want to grant it permission to access it. When you pick up your phone you get your regular PSTN dialtone. Press ## and you get a Skype dialtone. It's that simple. It also does SkypeIN so any incoming Skype calls let all phones in the house ring.

You can also dial your Skype contacts by putting them on speeddial.

For $40 it's a great little device. There are a few cons:

You need to dial 00 1 xxx xxx xxxx even when dialing a domestic US number
You get a weird "incorrect" tone instead of a ring tone when you've dialed a number

Other than that I'm quite pleased. I've linked it to Paypal auto refill so for $10 I get a few thousand minutes to call abroad.

Great review; Thanks !

I really miss a device that allows me to use skype from a regular phone without the need of a PC.

This device already lets me use regular phones - hopefully the second step should be coming soon ;)

I too would like a similar device to this one minus needing a pc.

Thanks, great information! There is another device on the market as well, a bit more expensive but much more portable - the Belkin skype wi-fi phone. It looks like a normal cell phone but is wi-fi (wi-fi only) and skype enabled. I recently used it in London and reduced my normal roaming fees to amost nothing.

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Wi-Fi-Boingo-Manager-F1PP000GN-SK/dp/B000GTSEHQ