Review: Netgear SPH101 Skype Wifi phone

Making free calls over the Internet using Skype used to mean your PC had to be switched on. But this is now changing with a new class of Wifi-enabled Skype handsets.

The Netgear SPH101 Skype Wifi phone is one of two such handsets we currently have in for test, the other being from SMC. While the idea of computer-free Skype calls from anywhere sounds enticing, it's difficult not to be disappointed by the restrictions imposed by these phones.

While you can make free Skype or cheap SkypeOut calls using the Netgear it hardly frees you from your home or office since the handset cannot be paired with wireless networks that require browser-based sign-up, such as hotspots in coffee shops, hotels, airports or even some secure company networks. So it's not a mobile that can be used on your travels.

Nor, despite its keypad, can it use Skype's instant messaging function and, although you can join a conference call, it's not possible to set one up yourself. With no camera, video calls are obviously not an option. Add to this its £170 price and poor battery life and you start to wonder why anyone would want this phone.

The aforementioned battery life is a claimed 30 hours on standby, but if you lose the network link it continually searches until the battery dies. Our first time using this phone from a full charge garnered just six hours on standby before it ran out of juice.

Hooking up to a wireless network was occasionally a little fiddly, but not overly so. We had one day where despite numerous efforts it doggedly refused to join our workplace Wifi yet later linked first attempt with the home network.

It's slightly smaller than the SMC handset and both have opted for a white case. The keys have a good feel to them and are responsive, but it's a little slow to join a network and download your contacts. Making a Skype call is, however, as simple as using the traditional software method.

Call clarity between two Wifi handsets was excellent but there was a noticeable drop in quality when calling the same location but with the other person using a headset connected to the PC. While this drop in quality is not down to the Wifi handset, it’s no comfort if you have paid £170 for no improvement.

These phones are primarily aimed at businesses that make many international and inter-branch calls or home users that want an easy way of making Skype calls. If in an office, most people will have their computers on so could use headsets or Dect Skype phones which have similarly limited functions yet are a fraction of the cost (but yes, the PC must be on).

It’s not that this first generation Wifi Skype phone is bad - the idea of using Skype without needing a PC switched on is certainly attractive. But until they are either far cheaper, have more functions, or preferably both, we recommend you stick with the alternatives.

Also consider:
Cordless VoIP/Dect Dualphone
Make calls over the Internet without being tied to your computer

Linksys Cordless Internet Telephony Kit
An ergonomic VoIP handset with excellent call clarity, but it's expensive

Polycom Communicator C100S
No-cost, hands-free Internet calls over Skype

All reviews of Skype phones