VoIP (or Voice over IP) is now extremely popular throughout the world due to easy access to computers and the Internet in most countries. When VoIP was first introduced, it was during the days of the 28.8 and 36.6K modems. In those days the connections were very slow and that affected the connection and sound quality.
Today’s VoIP audio is crystal clear. When you connect via Skype, or many of the other VoIP services, the person you’re talking to on the other end will never suspect that you’re not calling them on their landline or cell phone.
Voice over IP is also great for businesses. International companies that used to spend thousands of dollars a month are now spending pennies.
Compared to a regular phone service, VoIP is definitely cheaper. You usually don’t have long contracts and you don’t need a fixed phone line.
So who are some of the top VoIP providers out there:
skype
When people think of VoIP, many people first think of Skype. Starting in 2003, Skype has become one of the favorite online VoIP services. Not only do they have a Skype to Skype service, where you can talk to other people who have Skype installed on their computers, but you can also use Skype for regular phones and cell phones.
Skype has also developed Skype phones. They look like normal phones, but they are connected to Skype’s VoIP network. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection. Sign in and then you can make calls.
Skype international calls cost a few cents per minute to many countries around the world. You can also buy the Skype Unlimited service, which allows you to call certain countries for around $5 a month. Or, you can use your Unlimited World subscription and make unlimited calls to landlines in about 40 countries for around $13 a month. This also includes unlimited calls to cell phones to: Thailand, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Guam, China, Puerto Rico, and Singapore.
SkypeIn numbers are also available for many countries. You pay about $15 for three months and get a real phone number that you can use to get people to call you. When that number is dialed and you’re on your computer, or have your Skype phone, Skype will start ringing and you’ll be able to answer it on your computer with a pair of headphones. If you’re away from your computer or on another call, Skype will automatically transfer your call to voicemail.
Internet calls
Internet Calls offers VoIP calls to almost any country in the world. It’s even possible to call landlines in most major European countries and Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Argentina, Canada and the US for free!
Plus, calls to mobile phones in the US, Canada, and Hong Kong are also free!
However, to get free access, you must first pay 10 euros, which is equivalent to 120 days of free service. As long as you only call the countries that are on your free list, you are allowed 300 minutes of free calls per week. It is also possible to make calls for as low as 1 cent per minute to other destinations in the world.
All you need is a computer connection (preferably a high-speed one), and then you can download the software and you’re ready to go. Also, if you have a verified phone number, you can make a call through the software and it will call you back on your cell phone or landline, connecting you to your destination. There is a small charge for the connection and you will be charged a small rate per minute, depending on the country you are calling.
On the same site it is possible to use MobileVOIP to download software to your 3G, Wifi and other networks as well. This allows you to make VoIP calls, and this will not add any charges to your cell phone.
Internet Calls also has VoIP-In numbers that you can use for your friends and family to contact you. They work just like Skype numbers.
Both Skype and Internet calls allow you to send very cheap SMS messages to almost anywhere in the world.
Other VoIP Providers
There are many other Voice over IP companies out there. Most of them use VoIP phones that have Wi-Fi capabilities. Some of these use adapters that connect to your DSL or cable modem, and others have Wi-Fi capabilities.