For anyone with friends or relatives in another country, Skype is a godsend.

Even if the other person doesn't have an internet connection, Skype makes cheap calls to a landline. If your contact has a computer and Skype software, the call is free – even better.

There are, of course, other internet telephony services out there but none are as easy to use or as widespread as this.

Recently a lot of attention has been paid to Skype phones that work without a computer; for the reason that a computer's location isn't the ideal place from which to make long phone calls.

Such devices, from SMC, Netgear, Belkin and others, work well in general, although they're hamstrung by their own technical problems.

Thanks to the simple instructions, setup is quick. The Dualphone 3088, on the other hand, is a cordless Skype phone connects to a home network. Plug the base unit into both the router and the phone socket, like a normal phone. The handset then uses Dect, the standard for cordless telephones, to talk to the base.

Because it's connected to both phone line and router, the 3088 can be also be used for normal phone calls; building on the features of the first Dualphone.

Sound quality is excellent for both Skype and normal landline calls; expected from a Dect phone, and a cut above the internet telephony audio clarity we've previously seen.

One gripe is the phone's knack for getting confused if you're already logged into Skype on the computer and then try to use the Dualphone; it doesn’t like it.

By and large, though, this is one of the best examples of internet telephony we've seen.

Also consider
Belkin Wifi Phone
Fully wifi, but limited when it comes to Skype features

Netgear SPH101
Too many limitations and too expensive to appeal to most people, despite its good call quality

SMC WSKP100
May appeal to some business users, but its limitations and price make it hard to recommend

All internet telephony reviews