The days of two receivers and a lot of coiled cable are long gone
Keeping household costs down has never been so important, so why not save money by making phone calls over the internet? there are many services that let you do this for little or no cost.
Broadly termed Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP), there are essentially two types of internet phone call. The first uses Microsoft’s proprietary (but very popular) Skype service while the second relies on a widely supported standard called Sip (Session Initiation Protocol).
Skype is great for calls made from computers to other computers or telephones, while Sip-based services tend to be better equipped for direct calls – cutting out the computer.
What you will need to make internet phone callsThe most important requirement is a good internet connection. this doesn’t have to mean a fixed broadband line, as some VoIP services will work over mobile phone networks.
Whether choosing Skype or a Sip-based service, you’ll need a way to make and receive calls. On a computer this means headphones and a microphone, or a dedicated headset (such as this £20 headset from Creative).
However, phone-style handsets that can connect via USB are also available (Maplin has a USB headset for £10).
When it comes to Sip services, the same applies. It’s also possible to buy adapters into which domestic telephones can be plugged (such as Cisco’s £37 Internet Phone Adapter). some services (including Skype) can also make use of a webcam, if you have one, for video calls.
What you can expect from VoIPVoIP services can be basic or as well-appointed as you please. in many cases, for example, VoIP services will include a dial-in number that people can use to call you. to the caller, it looks and operates like any other UK telephone number and they will be charged accordingly.
Other services offer a selection of special numbers, such as those beginning with 08 or with a particular local dialling code – and you can expect to pay extra for these kinds of option.
Also, depending on the specific provider, hardware and software used, it is possible to emulate services associated with traditional landline services, from voicemail to caller ID. indeed, still more may be possible (such as the aforementioned video calls).
Choosing a service providerMany different companies offer internet calls and they all have different pricing plans. We’ll look at some specific examples in just a moment but, as with traditional phone services, the most significant factor can be whether any friends or family already have an account.
If so, joining the same service is generally best. two Skype users, for example, can natter forever, for free, no matter where they’re located.
If you can manage the numbers and passwords, there is no reason you couldn’t set up accounts with several providers – so you can ensure your costs are kept as low as possible, no matter what service your contacts use.
Preparing direct comparisons of call costs is all but impossible because the permutations are effectively infinite. However, for the sake of example, we’ve considered some particular undiscounted BT call costs alongside what’s on offer from internet-telephony providers.
The daytime BT rates for calling landlines in the UK, Spain, Japan, the USA, and Australia are respectively 7.6p, 25p, 11p, 17.5p and 27.5p per minute. Note that call set-up costs may also apply. BT’s full pricing information can be found by clicking here.
Press Release Source: Panasonic on Tuesday October 25, 2011, 9:00 am EDT