Summary
Internet telephone services have been around for more than 10 years, but, until now, only the most devoted of techie had any desire to use them. Dropped calls were common, voice echoes were annoyingly persistent. Now consumers can make high quality, reliable calls from devices that work just like regular telephones -- and they can do this for usually even less than the typical land-line bill.
Original source:
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,119540,00.asp
Details
So when I first started using Voice over Internet Protocol services many years ago, I was thrilled at the thought of paying less for long-distance calls.
Services from companies such as AT&T, Vonage, and VoicePulse let you use a conventional phone and dispense with the PC--all you need is a phone adapter that connects to a broadband router or modem.
In Net Phone Zone, I'll keep you posted on the latest developments in the VoIP world, put various Internet phone services through their paces, check out new hardware products and trends, and look at how government regulations will (or won't) impact these new services.
I'll start by reporting on my experience with a service called Lingo by Primus Telecommunications, a relative newcomer to the scene.
Primus's plans range from some of the cheapest available, starting at $8 a month (with restrictions), all the way up to more comprehensive corporate plans costing as much as $100 a month.
Plus, I noticed a very subtle difference between calls made using Lingo and the average landline call: The Lingo conversations sounded slightly muffled, as if there were a layer of cling wrap in between my voice and the voices at the receiving end.
That said, all the conversations that I had were clear and nobody at the other end could tell that I was calling over the Internet.
Lingo offers voice mail and other features such as speed dialing, call forwarding, caller ID blocking, 911 emergency service, and 411 assistance (at 75 cents a pop).
Note: The $15 and $20 monthly subscription plans let you call landline and cell phone numbers in the U.S. and Canada.
In Western Europe, the monthly fees cover landline numbers only; separate per-minute charges apply.
About the author: Mike Adams is an award-winning journalist and holistic nutritionist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He has authored more than 1,800 articles and dozens of reports, guides and interviews on natural health topics, and he has authored and published several downloadable personal preparedness courses including a downloadable course focused on safety and self defense. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2010, Adams co-founded NaturalNews.com, a natural health video sharing site that has now grown in popularity. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also a veteran of the software technology industry, having founded a personalized mass email software product used to deliver email newsletters to subscribers. Adams is currently the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and regularly pursues cycling, nature photography, Capoeira and Pilates. Known as the 'Health Ranger,' Adams' personal health statistics and mission statements are located at www.HealthRanger.org
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Email this article to a friend
Share
this article on: 
