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