How to Make Free or Cheap Internet Phone Calls

yahooBuzzArticleHeadline = "How to Make Free or Cheap Internet Phone Calls"; yahooBuzzArticleSummary = "It sounds incredible but it's true. You can now make phone calls on the Internet that are free or cost next to nothing."; yahooBuzzArticleType = "text"; yahooBuzzArticleId = window.location.href; It sounds incredible but it's true. You can now make internet phone calls that are free or cost next to nothing. That is possible because of the evolution of technology - namely, the Internet. First, let's understand how making phone calls on the Internet work.

The Internet transfers data using the Internet protocol (IP). All data, in its digital format are transferred from one point to another location either via wires and cables, or over a wireless network. Data that is transferred over the Internet is divided into packets. Any attempt to send or receive data on the Internet is an attempt to send or receive these packets. A high quality connection means that you are able to send and receive packets smoothly and quickly without delays. Though, sometimes you may get a flaky connection. That means packets are lost in the transferring process. Some data that we are meant to receive or some data that we sent is lost.

Fortunately, as the Internet interconnection all over world improves, this is very unusual.

To connect to the Internet, you will need a modem and a router. The modem allows you to connect to an internet provider. A router is necessary because it allows the network to identify you, so that you can send and receive data packets. Without it, the packets wouldn't know where to go.

Obviously, to make an internet phone call, you need an Internet connection. That means you should be plugged in with the equipment mentioned above. Your personal computer or laptop can be connected to the Internet with a LAN (local area network) cable, or a wireless adapter (if you have a wireless router).

Once you are connected to the Internet, you will need some special software. This software can be easily obtained from your Internet phone service provider, or downloaded for free from the Internet. Good example of such a software is eyebeam. Or, if you don't want to use your computer and software, you can get a special piece of equipment commonly known as the VoIP adapter (e.g. Snom). This device is plugged into your router, and you should be able to use it like a normal telephone.

With the special hardware or software installed, you can make and receive local or international phone calls. Most likely, if you are calling someone on the same network as you, you do not have to pay a single cent. You just charged when making a telephone call to somebody who is on a different VoIP network, or when connecting to a land line. Even then, the fees incurred are noticeably lower than traditional international phone calls made via land lines.

Internet phone calls can be free or dirt cheap since transferring data over the Internet is cheap. As the quality continues to grow, the cost of high quality Internet connections become cheaper.

For the consumer point of view, this is great news because now, consumers have other alternatives to select from when making international phone calls. Widespread competition has also driven prices down. All in all, these factors have contributed to making internet phone calls free, or highly affordable.

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