VoIP stands for Voice
over Internet Protocol. It is the technology that is used to
incorporate the transmission of audio over the Internet in the form of
packets. This is in contrast to the PSTN or the Public Switched
Telephone Network- the telephone network we have all come to know and
rely upon for the past century. The very nature of VoIP and PSTN are
completely different and the future appears to show that more people
will be switching from PSTN to VoIP.
VoIP began on the
Internet and Pc-to-Pc messaging is still a great way to experience
VoIP. There are many different instant-messaging programs that are
available for free and will allow you to speak with another user,
anywhere world wide, absolutely free and for an unlimited amount of
time.
You will need a high
speed Internet connection, up to date computer, mouse, speakers, and a
microphone to fully experience VoIP Pc to Pc calls. Your receiver will
also need these things and will need to install the same program that
you have already installed.
Here is a list of major Instant Messaging Programs that allow free Pc-to-Pc VoIP calls.
Yahoo Messenger
Skype
ICQ
MSN
Wavigo
Babble
I Connect Here
Glo Phone
3 W Tel
Buddy Talk
Pc-Telephone
Rhino Bell
Terra Call
V Buzzer
Microsoft Net Meeting
When VoIP services
first sprang up over the Internet, many of the programs allowed for
free PC to Phone calls. Now, there are virtually none of these programs
available for free. If you would like to talk with your friends and
family, via free Pc-to-Pc calls, you should download one of the above
messengers. Many of these will allow for Pc-to-Phone calls, however it
will cost you a small monthly fee. If you would like to stay with the
free long-distance services, just have your friends and family members
download the Internet program of your choice, and you will be able to
continue to make free Pc-to-Pc calls.
If you become tired of
Pc-to-Pc calling, you can easily upgrade to one of the VoIP service
providers. Not all of the providers mentioned above do provide
pc-to-phone services however. You will need to research and compare the
programs to determine the one that best meets your needs.
Of the programs
mentioned above, they all have different features and settings. For
instance, some may allow you to receive Voice Mail-others may not.
Most computers come with Net Meeting pre installed. Net meeting will allow users to conduct Pc-to-Pc calls, absolutely free.
Pc-to-Pc calls are
helping people become familiar with VoIP. Though some may continue to
use their Pc-to-Pc messengers, others may want to make the next step to
a VoIP service provider. VoIP service providers offer many benefits.
Some of the Pc-to-Pc service providers offer features such as
conferencing, video conferencing with digital camera and web camera,
Voice Mail to Email services.
Many people are
opting for VoIP services these days, due to the fact that there are
many benefits with VoIP that are free as opposed to paying for the same
services with PSTN telephone networks.
Pc-to-Pc calling is an
excellent way to communicate with friends free of charge. The ability
to call anywhere in the world and to speak as long as you like is a
rarity and a wonderful privilege that has been reserved for this
generation. As people continue to look ahead to see what new technology
will be on the market, we can rest assured that free pc to phone
services are most likely not going to come back. Until then, users can
enjoy the unlimited services of Pc-to-Pc calls.
Thanks to VoIP,
technology is continually advancing and great new products are
continually being unveiled. Skype is about to release their new VoWiFi
phone, and people are eagerly awaiting this new technology. Though VoIP
service providers continue to charge, and it doesn’t look like
Pc-to-Phone service is going to miraculously become free tomorrow, it
seems most likely that Pc-to-Pc calls will remain free. Millions of
people are signing up for, and using VoIP services. Products are being
created and designed daily. Truly, VoIP is the Voice of the Future.