Webweb calls: Free Calls PC to PC via the net

Webweb calls: Free Calls PC to PC via the net, start with a simple golden rule. Never, ever, ever pay to make PC to PC calls via the net regardless of wherever in the world you're calling from and to.

The hardware needed

Any PC made within the last five years with an internet connection should easily cope. A microphone and headset/speakers are needed, though it's possible to buy phone handsets for computers. A broadband internet connection is best (see Cheapest Broadband article) for quality, but it's still just workable for those on dial-up internet (see Cheapest Dial-up Internet article).

The quality is often better than that of a phone call, as the sound produced is over a wider frequency range. Though if your internet connection is struggling, this will of course effect it. As it's free try it, and see how it works. Those with web cams may also video chat for free this way. Yet often using the video option diminishes the audio quality, so it's best left for occasional fun not regular phoning.

The software you need

Normally both you and the people you talk to need to be on the same software package. No problem, as there's lots of software downloadable and useable for free. This also means there's nothing stopping you having two or three different programmes on your computer.

Internet Telephony Specialists. Skype* (pronounced to rhyme with tripe) is quickly becoming the Microsoft of internet telephony and like Microsoft is sometimes derided by techies. Yet it's also the software most are likely to have already, which makes life easier.

To use it, download it, create a user name, find the username of the person you're calling, and within seconds you can talk to them. It also allows free conference calling to two or three people all at the same time. There are many other options to Skype, such as Sipgate, but it's the obvious start point.

Messenger Services. Instant Messaging services such as those provided by AOL, MSN, Yahoo and more recently Sightspeed were designed for instant online typed communications, but now also include voice and video communication options. These work well, but lack a little of the smoothness of the pure internet telephony operators.

When free isn't free

While phoning is free, any additional web access costs need to be taken into account. With unmetered broadband packages there's unlikely to be an additional cost from making the calls. Yet dial-up users, those on metered or limited broadband packages and people calling while abroad or on the road, should compare the broadband access cost with just using the phone.

Enjoy to talk with VoIP !