Telephony and the Internet

Fast broadband has presented many possibilities for cheap or even free telephony.  Of course most people will have a normal landline (or cable) installed in order to enjoy broadband in the first place but you needn't pay landline rates for your telephone calls any more!  VOIP offers many possibilities and there are many providers.  Some will supply geographical numbers for a charge although my provider Sipgate supplies them free when you register.  I can also recommend Vyke and although they don't provide geographical numbers, their call charges are remarkably inexpensive to many locations around the world.  If you make many calls overseas you really should consider VOIP as an inexpensive option.  This also applies especially if you make lots of overseas mobile calls since calls to mobile phones are considerably cheaper and don't involve incoming call charges.  However for mobile calls there are other alternatives that indirectly use VOIP and also your 'free' calltime - visit RebTel for more information.

To use VOIP you can have what is often referred to as SoftPhone which is simply a program on your computer that allows to to use speakers or headphones and a microphone to make normal telephone calls.  You can also use an adapter that will let you connect a normal analogue telephone, including cordless, and with that you can make and answer calls as you normally would.  There are also special VOIP telephones that offer extra features and you choice will be one of personal preference or budget.