Free calls to all over the world over your computer no catch

sidewinder1

hi
i saw a program yesterday about a new revolutionary software from the makers of Kazaa, called skype. it enables you to call anyone connected by the program for free. yes for free. the program is free too. you can also call landlines and mobiles at a cut price from standard telephone lines. all you need is a microphone and to tell all ure frineds and your on your way to free calls to all your friends over your internet connection.

check the site out for the download and more information
p.s download at ure own risk, though this is not illegal

http://www.skype.com/

Midas

Yes I have heard quite a few people praising this so I might give it a go.

it's not really a grabbit though... I think its permanently available.

GibsonSt19

sidewinder1 wrote:

hi
i saw a program yesterday about a new revolutionary software from the makers of Kazaa, called skype. it enables you to call anyone connected by the program for free. yes for free. the program is free too. you can also call landlines and mobiles at a cut price from standard telephone lines. all you need is a microphone and to tell all ure frineds and your on your way to free calls to all your friends over your internet connection.

check the site out for the download and more information
p.s download at ure own risk, though this is not illegal

http://www.skype.com/

Skype's been around for a while now, but thank you anyway.

Edinburghlass_2

Please read Martin's article here regarding VOIP.

BexTech

Skype - Hype is OK. I would suggest using Sipgate, there you can get for no charge a UK number.

Skype is proprietary, at least with Sipgate you can call other Sipgate users and many other VoIP users for free, and you can receive calls from standard phones and mobiles, with Skype they charge you for this (Skype-In) with Sipgate you get the number free.

18866 VoIP charge 1p per call to UK landlines, I currently use their sister service VoIP Buster for free calls to landlines.

System

Because I've been on dial-up until recently, I haven't taken too much notice of this call round the world for free via broadband stuff. But with one eye open,I seem to recall watching one of the shopping channels where they were selling two skype phones. The first you kept, the second one you sent to the person (wherever they live in the world) and when you are both connected to the net, you can chat for free.

I thought at the time, but what if you call various countries ? must you buy another set of phones ?. Maybe someone could explain.

BexTech

You can just use your PCs microphone and speakers if you wish, you don't need to have the phones.

With Skype as it is a proprietary system you are more limited, if you do go down the route of those phones you need your PC on.

It is up to you and the person you are calling if they want to use a Skype 'phone' which is really just a speaker and microphone in a piece of moulded plastic, or to just use your PCs microphone and speakers.

If you use a standard system like SIP there are many providers like FWD or the one to go for at the moment is https://www.sipgate.co.uk as they offer you for no fee a real UK local number, doesn't have to be local to you, you could live in London and get a NI phone number. With this people from normal phones can call you (standard UK call charge), you can also call normal phones too (small call cost). You can also call for FREE other Sipgate or many other VoIP providers numbers (Not Skype - non standard system).

With a SIP system like Sipgate you can use the several freely available software phones so you can use your PCs speakers and microphone, or attach to the USB port a phone, or best of all you can buy VoIP phones or adaptors so you don't even need your PC switched on to make and receive calls. Calls between VoIP users will still be free even if using VoIP phones, adaptors or software.

There are some links to the free software on a quick page I set up: https://www.bextech.co.uk/voip

ricahrd

I would recommend Skype to those who travel (internationally) and need to be able to make many international calls from their hotel room etc (where broadband access is provided at a fixed 24hr rate). If you're travelling with your laptop anyway, it makes international calling very cheap.

This is an obvious advantage of the VoIP platform, but what I've found with Skype is that it works in nearly all circumstances unlike SIP services which sometimes have problems with the firewalls installed at the places you're connected.

But it's really only useful as an outgoing method, I use gradwell (http://gradwell.com/) for my incoming VoIP number/services.

cheers,
Richard.