Gtalk back-up for Skype

Skype is great for staying in touch with friends and family overseas, but reliability issues mean using it for business can be challenging due.

The root of the problem isn’t with Skype itself but with my broadband connection. On my uncapped Telecom NZ DSL broadband plan, bandwidth fluctuates widely because I share pooled resources with other users. This setup means my speed can vary drastically, from 3.5 Mbps one moment to just 100 kbps the next.

In comparison, Google’s Gtalk voice service handles fluctuating bandwidth better than Skype, likely because it uses less data. While Skype occasionally offers better audio quality, it’s inconsistent, with great highs and rough lows.

Gtalk, on the other hand, delivers consistent—if less impressive—audio.

For me, Gtalk’s integration with Gmail, my primary email client, and its reliable instant messaging make it almost a better option. However, there’s one major drawback: few people in my network use Gtalk for voice calls, while Skype has become the go-to choice for most.

As a result, I still need to keep both programs installed to stay connected.