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.