Free phonecalls aka Skype

As I head overseas cheap phonecalls become more relevant. This is actually quite easily achieved to some people via Skype. And if you want to hear from me while I'm in the states, this is the way to go.

It's a quick and painless download and install and then if you have a microphone and speakers/headphones you can talk to anyone else on Skype for free and you can tell when they're online too. You can also call echo123 to record and hear a message to test whether your setup is working. It's basically as simple to use as instant messaging with voice thrown in. Though that does mean exchanging Skype aliases and permitting calls/viewing online status etc. It's even supposedly quite usable on a 56k modem (s opposed to my broadband connection).

You can pay more for a voicemail service or to be able to make and receive calls from regular phones, though they say the quality of this service is not quite the same as the Skype to Skype calls.

Here's a review:

"Free VoIP PC to PC Calling: Skype and NetMeeting

You can make Internet calls for free with some software applications. All that's need is a microphone and speakers. The catch is that you can only make free calls to people who also have the same installed application. A few software providers do offer PC to phone service for per minute rates. EarthLink has begun offering free Internet calls to other EarthLink members, or those who install the software. Other providers of free software include PC-Telephone.com, ITalk2U, and Australian-based FreshTel.

The most popular software VoIP service, however, is Skype, is a favorite in many reviews. With Skype, you can call anyone else who has installed the software over your Internet connection at no charge. Skype also has add-on plans that let you call regular phones through your computer for about 2¢ per minute within the U.S., Canada, most of Europe, Scandinavia, Argentina and Australia. For about $12 for three months, you can get a phone number that allows people with regular phones to call you through Skype. Skype has a big fan club among reviewers, who add that PC-to-PC call quality is excellent, but PC-to-phone calls can vary.

Microsoft NetMeeting is included in Windows 2000 and Windows XP. NetMeeting allows you to make Internet calls to others with the software. You can hook up a Webcam to get an instant video phone. But NetMeeting can't make calls to regular phones. AOL Instant Messenger also offers voice chat features."

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