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Weblog:   Skype Versus iChat--I was surprised
Subject:   Skype bandwidth usage
Date:   2004-09-01 08:47:06
From:   TedWallingford
Looks like 24 kbps to 128 kbps, though I'm not sure if that's because of variable sample rate, some kind of adaptive CELP codec or something totally different. Afaik, their encoding technique is quite well-hidden underneath heavy-duty encryption. Of course, though it kills Skype's hackability, some view the encryption as a feature--i.e. media privacy.


According to Skype's site:


How much bandwidth does Skype use while I’m in a call?
On average, Skype uses between 3-16 kilobytes/sec depending on bandwidth available for other party, network conditions in between, callers CPU performance, etc.
How much bandwidth does Skype use when there are no active calls?
On average Skype uses 0-0.5 kilobytes/sec while idle. This is used mainly for buddy presence updates. The exact bandwidth depends on many factors.