Skype and bandwidth usage

[tealtiger]

I've read in other posts and on the internet where people have said that Skype uses a lot of bandwidth?  I was just wondering if there's a way to tell how much bandwidth it uses?

I use Skype every day for hours a day...I'm in a long distance relationship and it's how we communicate.  For the past couple months I've been getting emails from my cable company saying I'm exceeding my bandwidth and they're threatening to terminate my account if I don't upgrade and keep exceeding their bandwidth limit.

How do I know how much bandwidth Skype is using when I'm using it, and does anyone know what the best alternative to Skype is?

[sawadee]

Hi

There are some comments in the forums here that may help you . . . .

http://community.skype.com/t5/Video/Bandwidth-usage-during-video-calls/td-p/75868

Steve

[g4pilut]

Also, I recommend DU Meter.   It will show you how much bandwidth you're using real time, but it also has totals and reports that show you how much you've used daily, weekly, and monthly.

http://www.hageltech.com/dumeter/about

[tealtiger]

Thanks!

Do you know of any good alternatives to Skype, though...something that won't use up so much bandwidth but still have a lot of the same features Skype has, such as screen sharing (I do use that from time to time)?

[Neil]

I do not believe that you will find an alternative to Skype that will give you equivalent or better call quality while consuming less bandwidth

[SeaFred]

Notice Skype claims no bandwidth usage when closed. Is that correct or does one have to delete the program to stop it from scanning and using bandwidth. Have been charged for too much bandwidth use recently and am looking to trim.

Thanks

Fred

[g4pilut]

If you quit Skype, the program isn't running at all, it uses no data.

[SeaFred]

Many thanks for clearing that up

Have a SUPER Christmas!

Fred