subject: Zero-cost international calls from PC [print this page] Tired of paying a fortune for international calling cards just so you can keep in touch with family and friends? With VoIP, you can make free international calls from PC - anytime, anywhere! Get your loved ones on the line from your PC and chat as long as you like, for free.
Free international calls on VoIP systems mean that you can chat, instant message and video call anywhere in the world. As long as the other party has the same system installed on their PC, you can make contact more often at no cost to either of you. With a webcam and external microphone, you can even have a video conference! Skype 4.o, the latest version, allows you to make video conference calls with 3 or more people. Imagine your mother's delight when the whole family gets together to wish her Happy Birthday!
Most VoIP systems, such as those from Vonage, Net2Phone, Magic Jack and Skype, charge a fee to make calls to non-Skype users, receive calls from landlines and mobiles, send text messages or leave voicemail messages. These prices are generally much lower than normal landline or mobile charges, but compare prices before you choose a provider.
VoIP is certainly a less expensive way to keep in touch with far-off friends, and offers far more features than long-distance or international calling cards. With most systems, you can send files and make use of screen sharing facilities to enhance the level of contact and convenience.
One advantage that Skype offers over other service providers is a wide variety of payment options. You can pre-pay for fee-paying services, pay monthly or buy Skype credit, using PayPal, credit cards, Moneybookers or prepaid cards available from stores like Walmart.
Another factor in your choice of VoIP service provider should be quality. There's nothing worse than trying to hold a conversation with poor quality sound. Broken conversations, stuttering, lagging or frozen video can make VoIP services frustrating and unpleasant to use, so check which VOIP provider has the best reputation for quality. Skype 4.0 has significantly improved on quality, with no choppiness or breaking up on free international calls from PC.
Skype is particularly easy to download and install, with a wizard to take you through the registration process which is quick and pretty straightforward anyway. All you need for VoIP is an external microphone, which many new PCs have as standard. If you want to make use of the video call facilities, a webcam is essential, but not necessary for normal calls or instant messaging.
Although you can get a dedicated Skype phone, it is not necessary for PC to PC calls. It is not recommended that you use Skype or another VoIP service as your only phone at home, as many of them are unable to make emergency calls to 911 and similar numbers.
If you have friends or family living abroad or do business with international companies, a VoIP service presents the opportunity to cut down on your phone bill dramatically. Skype's quality, reliability, many additional features and variety of payment plans and methods makes them your first choice. The services you pay for are available at ridiculously low rates, and the facility to make free international calls from PC is just too good to pass up.
