Internet Telephony - Free Voip Services
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Take me straight to Free Internet Telephony (VOIP) services
An Introduction to Internet Telephony
Internet telephony, or VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) as it is known, is currently in its infancy, and is a way of making telephone calls using the internet as opposed to the standard circuit switching phone system we are used to.
When you use the internet, your computer downloads and uploads information in “packets” of data as and when a request is made. VOIP works in a similar way, the information in this case being sound and possibly video. Packet Switching, as it is called, is much more efficient than the traditional circuit switching technology used in existing phone systems. If you would like to learn more about how this technology works, please visit http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony.htm.
There are 3 main ways you can use VOIP:
1. PC to PC phone calls.
The good news here is that these types of calls are FREE worldwide. All that is needed for 2 or more people to communicate is that
all have a computer;
all are connected to the internet (preferably with broadband or some other fast connection);
all have speakers and microphones;
all have the same VOIP software installed on their computers.
The software is free. The calls are free. All you pay is your normal monthly ISP subscription. The software of choice in my family is Skype, but many of the others offer similar features. With this type of software not only can you speak online, you can send links, photos and text messages too. Most software allows conference calls, so that you, your auntie in Australia, and your son in Canada can all share the same conversation.
To get going, download one or more of the VOIP software packages listed below and get your family and friends to do the same.
2. PC to Phone/Fax
In other words, you can use your PC as a telephone to call up ordinary landlines and mobiles. All of the software listed below allows you to do this. The differences between them lie in the rates they charge. If you want this kind of service, you should check the tariffs carefully to see which ones suit your needs best. Most offer cheap alternatives to standard phone rates, especially if dialling abroad, but some do not. If you use BT Communicator for example you will pay normal BT rates for your calls.
Most software is very simple to use and you “dial” using a dial pad similar to the picture below:
3. Phone/Fax to PC
You can use the one number to receive calls and faxes from landline and mobiles. Your internet telephone service provider will issue you with a number that you can give out. Be careful here though as some of these numbers may be expensive for the person calling you. If you choose Tiscali Netphone for example you are issued with a personal Netphone number which is an 0871 number and costs the caller 10p per minute.
Companies Offering Free Voip Services:
Skype
• www.skype.com
Headers: PC to PC, PC to Phone
Want to talk to your friends and family, wherever they are in the world, for free? Well, if all parties have a computer with broadband and Skype installed on it (the program is itself free), you can. Skype currently has 50 million registered users and is growing fast. You can also conference up to 5 parties, send instant messages and share files. Skype also offers low cost phone calls to and from landlines. Voicemail (subscription service) will record a message for you if can’t take the call, and allows you to send voice messages between users. You can also buy Skype phones, headsets, T-shirts and caps. Skypecast allows up to 100 participants in a conversation. Join in other Skypecasts or start your own. Very useful for lecutures, hobby groups, work meetings etc. You can edit your Skype profile and add a photo, of course, 
but you can also add a Skype Me button on your website, if you have one. You just need to add a small amout of code (Skype will give you this) and when you set your status to "Skype Me" in Skype itself, the button will also show on your website! Neat!
Available for Windows, Mac, Linux and Pocket PC.
ooVoo
• www.oovoo.com
Headers: Free Video Chat and Video Conferencing
A favour
ite in our family because you can have 3 way video chats. Also the interface is very stylish, which always helps!
As well as video chats features include: record video chats, send video messages, use video effects, text chat with up to six people, send files and find friends (the world really is getting smaller these days!).
It can be used to make phone calls but this service is only available for the US 
and Canada.
There is also the "ooVoo me"
link service - put an oovoo link on your blog or webpage or in your email signature. Other ooVoo users can then click on the link to call you (there are privacy options).
Yahoo! Messenger
• http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/btc.html
Headers: PC to PC, Computer to Landlines/Mobiles
Yahoo has joined up with BT Communicator to provide a messenger PC to PC messenger service (using Yahoo! Messenger) and PC to landline/mobile service (using BT Communicator).
Make free, worldwide PC-to-PC calls with other Yahoo! Messenger users. Other features include free voicemail, call history, webcam, photosharing and conference calls. You can also search for a number free from the 118 500 BT Directory Enquiries tab in Yahoo! Messenger and pick up your BT Answer 1571 remotely over the internet.
To make phonecalls to landlines and mobiles you use BT communicator which is launched from Yahoo Messenger by clicking on the telephone icon. The charges will appear on your BT phone bill and are the same as the charges from your BT landline. After you have installed messenger and got a yahoo id, you can get started with BT Communicator by clicking on the "Messenger" menu top left. Click "Register for BT Communicator". This launches the registration webpage.
Google Talk
• www.google.com/talk
Headers: PC to PC Voip Calls, Intant Messaging, Gmail Notifications, File Transfers
There are two options here. You can download Google Talk so that it on your computer or use Google Talk via the web. Either way you just have to create an account to get going. Of course, if you want to speak to someone specific they will also have to have Google Talk or a Gmail address (from Gmail you can access Google Chat which means you cannot talk - you have to have Google Talk open. There is no video at present, but you can have group chats if you want.
Not as good as MSN or Yahoo at the moment but there is a service called Chatback which allows visitors to your website to chat with you, e
ven if they haven't signed up for Google Talk. Simply paste the html code for your google badge (see our non working illustration) into your web page and your visitors can chat with you whenever you are signed into Google Talk. The badge displays your online status.
Tiscali Netphone
• http://netphone.tiscali.co.uk
Headers: PC to PC, PC to Landlines/Mobiles, Send Text Messages
Tiscali's Netphone allows broadband users to make free PC to PC calls with other Netphone users. You do not have to have Tiscali as your ISP to use this service (click on "Sign up now for free website membership"). You can also request a personal Netphone number (this is an 0871 number) which can be called by anyone with a landline or a mobile. You pay nothing for incoming calls but the caller pays the standard rate for 0871 numbers (currently 10p per minute on BT). This number can also be used as an answering machine and a fax - faxes and voicemails are sent to your email address. Calls to phones are fairly cheap - full tarif details on the website.
Paltalk 
• http://register.paltalk.com
Headers: Instant Messaging, Instant Video Chat
Instant Video chat community. Paltalk’s 4 million plus users can see, hear, and talk to one another instantly – anywhere in the world. There are over 4000 different chat rooms or you can set up a private chat room, so whether you are looking friendship, love, or just want conversation there is almost certainly a video chat room for you.
Features:
Paltalk supports Yahoo, AIM, and ICQ instant messaging
Enhanced live video streaming
Free voice and video chat with up to 10 people
Screen capture
Multiplayer games and music downloads.
Paltalk is free but you can upgrade to paid subscription for banner free windows plus greater video functionality for business conferencing etc.
• Special Offers: 1 week free trial period for Paltalk x-Treme.
pc-telephone
• www.pc-telephone.com
Headers: PC-to-Phone/Fax calling, Free PC to PC Calls, Phone/Fax to PC
Low cost PC to phone calls worldwide. You can also use PC-telephone to make free PC to PC calls and use your PC to receive phone calls and faxes. You can choose the IDSN connection option (tends to get better quality phone connection) but you can still use pc-telephone if you have another type of internet connection.
Net2Phone
• http://web.net2phone.com/home_english.asp
Headers: Residential Broadband Phone Service, PC to Phone/Fax
With Voiceline you can use your phone via your broadband connection (DSL, cable, T1, or satellite) to make phone calls. This means calls are generally cheaper that via a normal phone line, especially if you are calling abroad. The downside is that you have to buy hardware to connect your phone to your pc.
The PC to phone/fax service (Net2Phone CommCenter) is a little more straight forward in that you just download the software to get started. Free PC to PC calling is available with the CommCenter providing the person you call also has CommCenter.
VoipCheap
• www.voipcheap.co.uk
Headers: PC to Phone, Phone to PC, PC to PC
VoipCheap really is just that - cheap. Many locations, including UK phone numbers, are free. All you have to do is deposit a minimum of £10 to get going. (You get a minute free without the deposit). PC to PC is free with other VoipCheap users. VoipCheap will also assign you a phone number so that people can call direct to your PC.
The VoipBuster
• www.voipbuster.com
Headers: Phone to PC, PC to Phone, PC to PC
VoipBuster will give you your own phone number so that you can receive calls from regular phones onto your PC. In addition phone calls to many countries (not including the UK) around the world are also free - see rates for details. PC to PC calls are free with other VoipBuster users.
Windows Live Messenger (MSN Messenger)
• http://get.live.com/messenger/overview
Messenger allows you to send instant messages to people who also have Messenger installed plus you can now use it for video and audio chat. Easy to use - just right click on the contact you want to talk to. You can also access your Hotmail account from the Messenger interface plus create your own Windows Live Space which you can use to set up your own blog/photo album etc. Messenger also incorporates a dialer so that you can make cheap internet phone calls from your computer.
