Net to Phone - Making Internet Phonecalls

If you have a computer with Internet access the good news is that you can make and receive calls with it. The only other thing you need is a set of headphones and a microphone. Headsets vary in price but you can buy an excellent USB headset for around $20.

Don't be put off by all the technical jargon like VOIP (Voice Over IP), IP Phone Service or IP Phone it's not rocket science and anyone can do it easily (trust me I did it and I have almost zero computer experience)

Their are many different programs you can use to make free calls via the Internet but the one I like the most is Skype. It has one of the largest user bases and is absolutely free to install. Once installed you will be able to

• Make Free calls to all the other Skype users
• Instant message any Skype user
• If you have a Web cam you can make a video call

Skype offer many different paid options as well as the free ones.

• If you wish to call a normal telephone number you can purchase Skype credit which enables you to make very cheap phone calls anywhere in the world.
• You can cheaply purchase your own Skype-In telephone number so that normal phone users can call you via Skype.
• Always have your messages answered by setting up a telephone answering service.

Once you've used Skype (or one of the other services) you won't ever want to use your normal phone again. It's fun to use and so simple my eight year old daughter can do it.

For me the most satisfying thing about it is that I save money every time I use it and as I spend much of my day working at the computer anyway it's just so convenient.

Even if you never spend a penny on additional services being able to speak to any other person using Skype (millions of people use Skype) is just so cool. Persuade some of your friends and relatives to join (It's Free)and start saving money now.

If being tied to your computer whilst making telephone calls does not appeal to you then you may want to consider a cordless Skype phone.

With this type of phone you can send and receive both Skype and normal telephone calls using the same headset.

Some types plug straight into your ADSL or Cable router while others use a hardware dongle you plug into your PC.

The latter type require your PC to be on to make and receive Skype calls so although the former is more expensive I like it much better and have purchased one. I have to say it works flawlessly and is very easy to set up and use.

Not that you need to know how it works to make it work but sometimes it's fun to know how you can use the Internet to talk to someone half way around the world.

When you speak into your headset your voice is converted into a digital signal and this signal is then sent via the Internet to Skype. Skype knows the Internet address (IP) of every Skype user connected to its systems and acts like a telephone exchange.

Once Skype has worked out which person you are trying to talk to it routes the call through to that user and connects you. Skype then maintains this connection for the duration of your call. Once your call has finished Skype will break the connection leaving you free to make another call.