VOIP -- Voice Over Internet -- is a new technology which takes advantage of high speed broadband internet connections such as DSL and cable. If you make a large number of long distance phone calls, VOIP could save you $100's if not $1,000's of dollars a year. Some VOIP services work with a regular phone and cost a nominal monthly fee. Others, using your computer and a microphone, let you talk for free.

VOIP, or "voice over Internet" is an affordable way to make phone calls to anywhere in the world over the Internet. Done computer to computer, it's absolutely FREE!

VoIP is easy to use.

VOIP is typically as easy to set up as downloading software or attaching an adaptor to your computer. .

If you subscribe to VOIP provider that works with an ATA device, in some areas you can use your current phone number. In others, you may have to maintain a separate phone line.

The Downside of VOIP

With many VOIP services, your callers won't be able to tell you're not using a traditional phone line.

However, users of some services report hearing a slight echo or experiencing a brief delay at the beginning of the call.

Some services give you the ability to place 911 calls. Others do not.

Before you give up your landline or mobile phone service and go entirely VOIP, check with your prospective provider.

At worst, you may have to maintain a minimum calling plan in order to access emergency services.

There are three types of VoIP options.

ATA or Analog Telephone Adaptor. This is the simplest to use where available through such services as Vonage, AT&T's CallAdvantage, and others. You simply connect the ATA which your provider send you to your computer or Internet connection, plug in a regular phone, and you're ready to start calling. The process is simple and you should be able to do the installation yourself.

IP Phones. These are special phones that look like a traditional phone, but connect via an Ethernet connector. Coming soon are phones that will work with Wi-Fi. This means that wherever you can connect to the Internet with a wireless adaptor you will also be able to make a long distance phone calls.

Computer-to-computer. Once you download and install the required software, you will be able to talk for free over any high-speed internet connection (DSL, satellite or cable) via a microphone using your computer's speakers and sound card. See some example of FREE computer to computer software in the column to the right.

Here Are Some VOIP Services Which Charge a Monthly Fee, But Give You Greater Flexibility by Letting You Talk Using Regular Phone.

Verizon VOIP Service “VoiceWing” Plans from $19.95 a month from the leader in Telecommuncations.

NetZero Voice: Save money on your phone bill with a brand you can trust. Sign up now and get 3 months free long distance.

Vonage the Broadband Phone Company offers feature-filled calling plans from $14.99 a month.

Time Warner Digital Phone Service offers 3 months at $39.95.

IConnect. Unlimited calls to the US, free phone adapter, starts at $15.99.

SunRocket Internet Phone Service. Save $500 per year on your phone bill!

ITP Basic Plan starts at $9.95 plus taxes.

AOL Total Talk Various plans starting at $18.95.

Voice Eclipse Has an agent network that could earn substantial residual income... particularly for setting up business accounts.

Some FREE VOIP Software You Can Download Now... and Start Making Free Phone Calls All Over the World Using Your Computer and Broadband Internet Connection.

The key to talking for free over your computer is to:

1. Download any of the free software mentioned below

2. Acquire a means of talking: a microphone and speakers or a USB phone.

3. Have your friends and family all over the world do the same.

For the ultimate in flexibility, you could add a premium service for very little money.

Skype lets you make free calls over the Internet. It’s free to download and you can add on voicemail for a weenie fee. "Skype is a simple bit of software we want to give you. It’ll let you make free calls to your friends all over the world. And we don’t want any money for it. It’s free... Our software’s quick and easy to get started with. Download, register, install, plug in your headset, speakers or USB phone and start calling your friends. The calls have excellent sound quality and are highly secure with end-to-end encryption. You don’t even need to configure your firewall or router or any other networking gear. It just, you know… works." The interface works a lot like an Instant Messenger and the sound quality is generally good. Read a CNET review for more information.

Premium Skype service lets you receive calls from old-fashioned telephones on your computer with a SkypeIn number. And they ’ll throw in voicemail for free.www.skype.com

GloPhone.com "... No more phone bills. No more long distance charges. No more roaming or monthly cap on minutes. Welcome to the world of GloPhone blue, where talking pc to pc is always FREE no matter who or where you call. Download your GloPhone now and set up a Circle of Friends – you’ll wonder why you didn’t start saving sooner." GloPhone also offers very inexpensive "premium" plans (one is prepaid!) that give you tremendous flexibility and let you talk to anyone with a phone anywhere in the world via ANY internet connection. Best of all, if your buddies also have GloPhone premium service, your calls between those buddies are free using your GloPhone. Many other features too numerous to mention.

FreeWorld Dialup Bills itself as "Communication for Geeks by Geeks... FWD is the largest open network service provider for person-to-person, advanced, real-time IP communications. FWD enables anyone with a broadband connection to communicate by IM, Voice, or Video and share their presence over the internet. " See CNET Reviews and User Ratings

Google Talk is in beta... and enables you to call or send instant messages to your friends for free–anytime, anywhere in the world via email, IM or a call. "Talk through your computer but hear your friends as if they were in the same room."

Some Related Utility Softwares

Paradial's Free Tunnel helps solve some problems related to IP voice/video, particularly in relation to firewalls.

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