How Much Bandwidth Does Skype Use?

So many people worldwide choose messengers as the main means of communication with their family, friends, and colleagues these days. Every month, people can spend approximately 15-20% of their mobile time on messaging apps. So, the issue of data usage is of great importance when it comes to messaging apps.

It’s no surprise that the users of messaging apps all over the world are interested in calling and messaging apps that will allow them to connect with others affordably and effectively. In this article, you can read about Skype data usage details and Pinngle as a great alternative to Skype.

Skype Data Bandwidth Usage

Skype, initially released in 2003, is one of the most popular messaging apps offered by the modern mobile app market. Skype was founded by Niklas Zennström (from Sweden) and Janus Friis (from Denmark). In 2011, Skype was purchased by Microsoft for $8.5 billion.

One of the most popular instant messaging (IM) apps in the world is a voice-over-IP Microsoft service. Thanks to its (VoIP) technology, you can text, talk and have video conversations with your friends and relatives online. With Skype, you can enjoy free conference calls and group video chats. As of August 2017, it had 300 monthly active users (MAU) worldwide.

From time to time, there have been several changes in Skype subscription plans, data usage policy, and bandwidth requirements. What’s the current Skype data usage?

Audio or Voice Only Calls:

• Calling (minimum) .22 MB/min
• Calling (recommended or maximum) .73 MB/min
  

Video Calls:

• Video call (minimum) .94 MB/min
• Video call (recommended or maximum) 2.12 MB/min
• Video call HQ (minimum) 2.93 MB/min
• Video call HQ (recommended or maximum) 3.66 MB/min
• Video Call HD (minimum) 8.78 MB/min
• Video Call HD (recommended or maximum) 10.98 MB/min

Data Usage for Skype Calls from/to Various Kinds of Devices:

• Skype-to-Skype: 50Kbps or around 3MB for one minute of calling
• Calls to landlines or mobile numbers: 6-20 Kbps or around 1MB for one minute of calling
• Video calls between two mobile devices: 500Kbps
  Video calls between a mobile device and a computer: 600Kbps

If you’re signed in but you’re not making any calls, Skype will use on average 0-4kbps.

Pinngle – One of the Messengers with the Lowest Data Usage

While discussing details about Skype data usage, it’s important to note that Pinngle is a new instant messaging app that offers lower data bandwidth usage as compared to most messaging apps available on today’s mobile app market.

Pinngle was developed by Zigma Telecom SIA in October 2016 and has become a perfect alternative to the most popular chat apps that you can install and use on your phone. The app, which has already been downloaded by almost 5 million people worldwide, is among the messengers with the least amount of data usage.

Pinngle uses:

• 8 Kb for 1 second for a voice call
• Data usage of 1 message depends on the message length and network header. It makes up 120 B plus the message size.
• The newest version of the app will offer even lower data usage

These aren’t the only fine features offered by Pinngle. Using the app, you can also enjoy:

• Cheaper services, including cheaper calls to all landline and mobile numbers via Pinngle Out
• More reliable voice calls with better quality
• Public Channels open to everyone
• HD video calls at 720p resolution
• Capacity to operate even with the slowest Internet connection
• Capacity to operate in VoIP blocked countries
• Capacity to operate with 2G and overloaded WiFi
• Capacity to send files without any limit and in any format
• Capacity to share your location
• Capacity to forward your calls
• Capacity to operate both on Android and iOS devices
• Groups chats comprised of up to 50 people
• End-to-end encryption across all its platforms
• No data storage on any of its 3 servers
• Easy-to-use and simple interface

And more.

Are your interested in the amount of data used by Skype for calling and messaging? Consider also Pinngle, a new instant messaging app, that offers lower data usage as compared to the majority of messengers.

What messaging app are you using for low data usage? We’d love for you to share it with us in the comments below.