Computer Mediated (Long Distance) Calls:


PROS:

  • Often free calls are possible, or very low rates if calling people who don't subscribe to the service / are using "regular" phones

CONS:

  • Often require computer with headset-mike to make and/or receive calls
  • Typically requires both parties have high-speed internet
  • sound quality may be too poor for some people's taste

EXAMPLES AND COMMENTS:

http://www.voipcheap.com/en/index.html

  • Must register online, download the windows client and use that to configure SIP voip account information
  • Once your SIP account is created, you may then use any VOIP SoftPhone client from any platform you wish (i.e., not just their Softphone on windows)
  • Allows you to make calls to regular phones; you can use a 'regular phone' if you have a small hardware ATA VOIP blackbox. (see here for more details)
  • Decent amount of "Free Destination Countries" in their service coverage as 'loss leader'
  • Presumably they make money from value-added or calls to non-free destinations, if you like the service and choose to use it thus.
  • Call quality tends to be superior to the next 2 options listed below, depending on the softPhone and headset you use. I can strongly recommend Zoiper Softphone Free Edition as a good softphone / with good quality calls, nice feature set and very usable interface. (Available for Windows, Linux, Mac Platforms)

http://jajah.com/

  • uses normal phones to "send and receive" phone calls
  • use web interface to initiate phone calls
  • if both caller and callee are registered with jajah (free) then the call is free
  • quality is OK but not great

http://skype.com/

  • typically uses PC with headset-microphone for "sending and receiving" calls
  • requires hi-speed internet at both ends
  • if both caller and callee are registered with skype (free) then the call is free
  • If callee is on a landline, the call is not-free-but-quite-inexpensive (~2c/min)
  • quality is OK but not great