Phone calls via the Internet

Using the Internet to make phone calls has been around for sometime and is now 'taking off'. I have been using Skype and Gizmo. I also tried Google Talk which is not ready for real time in my opinion. There are others I have not tried. I prefer Gizmo. These free programs, when used with a headset/microphone, allow you use the Internet just like your regular phone. Well almost. First you should have a high-speed Internet connection. Second, calls between users of the same program are free but if you want to call out to a user on the regular phone network it will cost you a few cents per minute. Third, there is no common protocol to allow users of different calling programs to talk to each other. The good news is that the process works pretty damn good, it is very cheap and you can talk to people all over the world for free (if they are using the same program) or call out to them for just a few cents a minute.

There are also commercial programs designed to replace your regular phone line(s). Vonage, Packet8, etc. I think AT&T has a package to do this and perhaps some of the other 'Bell' phones companies. Some points to consider if you are thinking about using these: 1 - they are un-regulated; no rules, no guarantees. 2 - this is all changing rapidly with new products and services announced weekly.

I am looking forward to the Verizon fiber network - phones, very high speed Internet and probably TV. It is going to be interesting.

Google for more information on any of the above. Gizmo can be downloaded from
http://www.gizmoproject.com/