Skype Problems - How to Check Skype Quality

Check the Skype Connection Quality

Skype Problem - How to Check Your Skype Call Quality

Frequently, we have people calling us to ask about how to check their Skype conversation quality. We would like to document the procedures so that those who have the same question can find a quick solution.

Step 1. Perform the Skype Call testing service.

This should be an easy step to do. First, bring up the Skype program window, go to Call > Call to Skype Test Call and click on it. The echo123 test should start immediately after two to three rings. Record a short message and listen to the system to play it back after the recording session. Judging from the message playback quality, you will have a rough idea how the person on the other side of the Skype call will hear you.

Step 2. Test Your Internet Connection Speed.

You will need a good broadband connection to handle Skype. We have found a good free service to help you check your connection speed. Please go to Visualware Speed Test page. On the map, please click on a red dot which is close to your location. (See the picture below.)

speed_test_1

Click on the "Click to start MySpeed" button.

speed_test_2

Wait several seconds and you will find the full report on screen.

speed_test_3

Step 3. Connection Quality Data from Skype

Yes, Skype does display the connection quality. However, users need to go through a few procedures to make the display available.

A user needs to go to Skype > Tools > Options > Advanced > Connection, click on the "Display technical call info during calls" and Save, to activate the option. During a call, the user can hoop the mouse onto the "blank" area and the technical data of the connection quality will be displayed. The following is a display example:

Skype_Quality_Data

Here are some explanations for the terms used in the display.

Packet Loss: Packet Loss measures the reliability of a connection. A set of known data is sent to the server and then the server is supposed to deliver the same data back without any changes. If 100 packets were sent out, but only 80 made it back, then it would be 20% packet loss. In order to maintain a good Skype communication session, the packet loss should not be higher than 5%.

Roundtrip: Roundtrip is the latency of the network connection. Roundtrip times between 150ms to 200ms represent an excellent condition in which none of the call participants need to pause and wait for other people to talk. If the number reaches the 350ms, the need to pause becomes significant.

Relays: When a Skype call is being relay transferred, it means the direct connection between the caller and the receiver could not be established. The data going back and forth between two parties would be routed through several nodes. The idea situation is to have zero relay to achieve direct connection. The lower the relay number, the better the call quality will be.

Jitter: Jitter stands for the variations between consecutive data packets arriving at the user's side. The lower this number, the better the voice quality will be. Skype has implemented a jitter buffer to ensure the uninterrupted communication.

CPU usage: CPU usage over 80% will degrade the call voice quality.

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