The one Internet service, aside from e-mail, that has most kept me in touch with family and friends back home has not been Facebook, Twitter, or a blog. It has been Skype.

Most of you have probably heard of Skype by now, but there’s an under-utilized feature that I think has enormous potential for expats all around the world. It’s a combination of a SkypeOut phone number, plus the built-in call forwarding service. Put these two together and, depending on where ‘home’ is for you, you can have a local number for your family and friends that dials your Korean cell phone for the price of $25 USD per year, plus the normal calling rate (I think about 5 cents per minute).

It really is JUST that simple. However, just in case, I’ve broken it down for you into seven steps:

1. Download and Install Skype via the link on the right-hand sidebar (it helps to support this site).
2. Purchase a Skype Number. Make sure you choose a number with the same area code as the people you expect will contact you the most. This ensures the phone call is free for them.
3. If you expect to receive a lot of phone calls to your Skype number, subscribe to this unlimited plan.
4. If you only expect occasional calls, just buy $25 USD of Skype Credit.
5. Open the Skype software and select TOOLS > CALL FORWARDING
6. Click “Forward calls when I am not on Skype.” Enter  “+82″ in the field, then your Korean cell phone number. Remember to omit the first zero from your Korean area code. For example, if your phone number begins with “010″, you should enter “+8210xxxxxxxx” as your phone number.
7. It is a good idea to elect, in the next step down, to forward calls if you do not answer within a couple seconds.

That is, literally, all it takes. I can’t believe they don’t market this functionality more. You will have to pay for the costs of the phone call to your Korean number, but it’s quite reasonable, and the person calling you doesn’t need to pay anything, unless you chose a number from a different area code (so choose a number from the same area code as most of your family and friends).

Again, please support this site by signing up for Skype via the link in the right-hand sidebar.