i donot know what skype is, or what VOIP is.though there is a porcess called something like that that they do to tires which amounts to slashing cuts in them..skipinig i think...it is
supposed to make them better traction on water oir wet roads.

but i would recommend using paltalk to substitute for telephone.
one of the fellows who sings in my music room on there regularly
uses it to communicate with his brother in Scotland. He is in
New Zealand...he is a mudcatter..calls himslef Jocko i believe.
www.paltalk.com--there is a new improved version out just recently.

good luck and let us know what you find out.