VoIP Services VoIP really makes sense when it is used over the internet, using a PC. Without that, you really don't know if the phone call is using VoIP, unless the call quality really sucks. While all of the services, I discussed in the VoIP section do very well, there are a lot of instances where we do want to use internet itself, to route the calls over the internet. Calling a landline phone or mobile from the PC itself is fun. Let's review the services out there which allow us to do this. 
If you don't have a phone number in the US, the above options are the most useful ones. You can register, get a US number and have people call you from anywhere. Even with everything in hand, I keep resorting to these because of various reasons. You can get a phone number with any area code and receive the calls right on your PC. Now that I have listed all the services above, here is some useful information for you. If you don't have free long distance, you can use the above services to call anyone within the united states, for free (if you have a valid phone# without an extension number). You really don't have to spend, for making a few long distance calls. And if you don't have a phone number like that, use a Softphone from the list above to get a virtual US phone number and call from that. It all boils down to integrating these available services at your disposal, in the most effective manner. Let me give you an example: When I moved from one place/apt to another it typically took time for moving the existing landline to another place. So,I usually forward my calls to a number I have from one of the above services and receive the calls right on my computer (if I have the internet connection available). Also, these services work the best when I am travelling as, I don't need to receive calls on the hotel number, instead I can just use my laptop. Moreover, making phone calls from the hotel is also a snap, as there will be no extra charges for using long distance phone service. Skype: Skype (www.skype.com) had taken the whole VoIP world and the Instant Messagin (IM) platform by storm, when it started off with its novel P2P telephony. Though it appears to have lost its shine over several years now, it still is one of the best, reliable and most popular application for making calls to a phone from a PC. It is so popular that devices (cell phones, cordless phones, USB phones) are now availablein the marked to support it. Skype also allows you to get an incoming phone number for others to call, if you opt for their 'paid' SkypeIn service.
Stanaphone Stanaphone (www.stanaphone.com) is another popular PC to Phone service, which used to be free. Stanaphone comes with an intuitive softphone and comes with a free 'New York' based US Telephone number. This is extremely useful if all you need is an incoming number for someone to reach you. This along with Skype, which gives free outgoing temporarily, would work out the best. So,if you are looking for a phone service that just needs an internet connection to run off, this would be the kind of solution you need. The service is no longer available for 'new' customers, but is still functional and is out there on the internet.
Grandcentral Grandcentral (www.grandcentral.com) actually comes partially under the regular VoIP list. I am mentioning it here because, it does have a cool, Click2Call option to call anyone in the Grandcentral's address book for free (within US), by clicking the phone number. It doesn't connect your PC to the call but would call your number first and then connect you to the destination number. Kinda similar to Jajah. Grandcentral also has abundant features like ringing/forwarding to all of your phone numbers, setting up the ringtones your callers hear, switching between phones (Ex: if you picked the call up on your mobile, you can transfer it to your landline without disconnecting) etc. This is a real good service, first if you want to have control over your calls and then, if you are willing to do it. Most of the times, people don't try it just because they are not sure and so not willing. Well, you can never be sure of anything unless you try it. FYI, Grandcentral has been recently bought over by Google. So, don't think about how long it is going to be around. It will be there until Google is or until Google decides something about it.
Jajah Jajah (www.jajah.com) is a web service sort of a thing. Jaxtr (listed below) allows you to click a link and connect to you and Jajah, actually gives the option to the user to call any phone number from your phone. If both the phone numbers are registered with Jajah.com, the calls are free. So, if you need to call a friend for free, either make them register themselves OR, just register their number by yourself along with yours. For using Jajah, you need to use a phone number without any extension with it. And, if you have an extension number, you would typically have access to make local calls. So,in this case, use Jajah Direct, assign a local number for the number you wish to call and keep going. Make sure that the other phone number is also registered with Jajah for the call to be free within the US. However, even if they are not within Jajah, it does allow you to try some free test calls.
Nonoh Nonoh.net (www.nonoh.net) is exactly similar to Jajah and offers free calling for a few selected countries. The call quality is okay and may be worth a try if the country you want to call to is listed.
Jaxtr Jaxtr (www.jaxtr.com) is a 'Click2Call' widget. Others can call you when you post this widget on your social network website or your blog. They can enter their phone number and click the button (widget you posted), which will call their phone first and connect them to your phone number. Just try it, to make things less verbose. Jaxtr is now integrating itself into social networking platforms like facebook, myspace, orkut etc. So, you will be seeing it more often like we all did with skype a while back.
Jangl Jangl (www.jangl.com) allows others to call you while keeping your phone number anonymous/private. This makes it ideal for giving it out on a temporary basis (say for an ad in craigslist). For this to work, the person whom you want to call should have a Jangl account. If so, it works by allowing you to enter the email address of the person you want to call, and then providing you with a random phone number at which to call them. Their phone will ring first, and they can accept the call or send it to Jangl’s own voicemail feature. If the user does not have a Jangl account, the voice message will be sent to their email address.
Also, Jangl allows you to create a widget that will let others generate a number to call you, by clicking on the widget, wherever you place it (blogs/websites).
Nimbuzz Nimbuzz is not a Softphone but is an application on your mobile phone. With this app, you can call any IM user from your mobile phone. I have covered this in the Mobile Apps section of this website. Please check it for more detail.
Fring: Fring is one of the best VoIP software applications and services for mobile phones. Installed on a mobile phone, it allows completely free phone calls to any PC and mobile phone over the world. Any mobile having Fring, Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, GoogleTalk, SIP, VoIPStunt installed can be contacted. Fring works only on 3G, GPRS or Wi-Fi smart phones. |