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ree PC-to-telephone phone calls via the Internet.
Would you like to call friends and relatives (or both) over
the internet? Several new free or low-cost advertisement supported
PC-to-telephone phone call services are starting to appear on the net. You
need an internet-enabled PC with internet connection, a sound-card, speakers,
microphone, and a newer java capable internet browser.
- dialpad.com -
free Java-based banner-add-sponsored web-to-phone service to anyone in the
U.S. with a valid phone number. Calls are transmitted over the Internet to
third-party Internet Protocol (IP) telephony gateways with near 'cellular
quality' (under optimal conditions - which means mostly understandable).
Slick web interface downloads a java applet to your screen each time you
enter the site. The telephone of the person being called rings the same as
when receiving any other incoming call. Cool, when it works. Recommended.
- HotTelephone
- featuring free Java-based calling anywhere on the planet (kind of). You
can either make internet PC to phone calls to points within the U.S. and
have a banner ad displayed in your browser window, or you make an unlimited
number of free, 10-minute phone calls to any of 23 countries. The 'free'
countries currently include USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Spain,
Ireland, France, and South Korea. After 10 minutes you are automatically
disconnected, but you can call repeatedly. To get started, visit the web
site, answer a personal demographics questionnaire, download and run a
small 365KB Java applet, and then enter the number you want to call.
Current website has some rough edges but still usable. Recommended.
- Visitalk - Make
and receive voice and video calls - Free voice and video calls from PC to
PC, anywhere in the world, using your visitalk.com Internet phone number.
Voice Messaging with Instant Message Alert Record - Play and send voice
messages through your computer. realChat Rooms - Drop in on a voice or
video chat room, or start your own and invite up to 11 friends. Looks
Promising.
The runner-ups: Perhaps you have some problem with
completely free services. For example, if they don't work you have no one to
yell at. If so, similar offerings also exist.
- Callrewards.com
- users "earn" minutes for PC-to-Phone calls to anywhere in the
USA. You receive 20 minutes credit for joining the service. Additional
minutes of calling time are "earned" by viewing or listening to
interactive online advertisements, or purchasing products online, by
reading personalized e-mail offers, visiting specific Web sites, and by
referring friends. Earned points are redeemed towards free PC-to-Phone
calls .. somewhat of a pointless exercise.
- Net2Phone -
users download software to access the system. PC-to-PC calls from any PC in
the world to your PC are "free" .. if downloaded software running
at both ends. PC-to-Phone calls are charged on a per minute basis (e.g.
currently 9 cents US per minute from Canada to US). User can. however, 'Get
100 Minutes of FREE Calls' .. after buying $8.95US of talk time first ..
- CallMeFree.com
- a twist on the "free" internet call. Businesses actually
pay $69US per month to receive calls to existing toll free (800),
(888) and (877) telephone numbers from Web surfers anywhere in the
world. For the caller the call is free .. but isn't that what toll free
numbers are for .. I'm confused.
| Clarification Feb 2001: Hello ! My
name is Jose Delfino, owner of callmefree.com. I found your page surfing
the web and I read your comentary about: CallMeFree.com - a twist on the
"free" internet call ... Well, let me explain. 1(800) is only
available from a few countries around the world. If you travel to Latin
America, you will not be able to dial 1(800) for a free call. We are
based in Miami and we serve hundreds of exporters dealing with Latin
America as well companies around the US unable to receive 1(800) calls
from some 125 countries. Best Regards Jose Delfino |
- deltathree.com
- user can download free PC-to-Phone software but pay a per minute fee
based on destination called (e.g. 15 cents US per minute to continental US
or Canada). Features ability to call to and from anywhere in the world, and
'Lower rates than your standard long distance phone company'. You can also
use a PC-to-Phone account to make calls from a regular telephone as well
(Phone-to-Phone via internet) at slightly higher rates than PC-to-Phone. OK
- WebPhone.com
- supports PC-to-PC calls only where software loaded at both ends. Free
evaluation software can be downloaded to test major features prior to
deciding to purchase. There is no set expiration, but advanced features are
limited and calls are limited to less 3 minutes. Activation fee currently
$20US for Lite version or $50US for Full version.
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