Calling over the Internet is simple & easy and we’re here to help you find out how !
Did You Know:
It’s a piece of cake to quickly find out the current date and time anywhere in the world online. This can be really handy if you make a lot of international calls.
timeanddate.com is an easy to use site that’s worth checking out !
Online Calling
If you’re regularly paying out money on phone calls then it’s definitely worthwhile assessing options for online calling as you could be splashing out cash un-necessarily....
What are the benefits ?
Online calling, or more specifically, making phone calls online via the Internet is now a very cheap, cost effective and easy way of keeping in contact with your friends and family. If you have an Internet connection it really isn’t difficult to do.
And, if the person you are contacting has one too there’s absolutely nothing to stop you chatting for free !
So.......If you have friends or family far away or abroad and don’t currently phone them as often as you’d like for fear of the cost, or just want to save money on the phone calls you’re making then VOIP online calling could be exactly what you’re looking for.
What do I need to know about the technology involved ?
Don’t worry if you’re not technology minded as there not really a great deal you need to know about this. The main thing is the term VOIP, which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. To sum it up this is a term used to describe the technology that enables voice transmissions to be carried over the Internet.
The sound produced covers a wider frequency range than conventional telephone lines.
That means the sound quality is usually better than on a standard phone ! You maybe
surprised as it can even feel like the person you’re talking
to is in the same room
!
How do I go about using VOIP for making free or cheap online calls ?
There are multiple ways to make use of VOIP and a range of providers offering these services. What’s right for you is a matter of choice and will depend on your circumstances. In our Calling Options section we’ve laid out the options available Instant Messenger, Pay As You Go, Subscription Services and Integrated Packages. Be mindful that you can make use of more than one of these depending on what the situation dictates.
What Equipment etc do I need and what will it cost ?
You need to have an Internet connection and for most VOIP options either a PC or Laptop (if you’re reading this you probably have these already so job done on that !).
Certain VOIP call providers or methods have specific requirements (as explained in our Calling Options section) but with the basic ones all you really need is a compatible headset to plug into your PC/Laptop.
Headset Prices begin at around £10 so you can be reassured that getting the basics you need doesn’t need to work out expensive. Obviously paying a little bit more may get you a getter quality device and more features so do bear this in mind.
More on headsets and the other types of VOIP devices available is covered on our VOIP Accessories page.
What about when I’m traveling, on holiday or away from home ?
There are a few ways to make use of online calling when you’re on holiday, away from home or traveling this could save you money especially if other options available are limited or expensive (such as when you’re abroad). The options for this are outlined on our VOIP When You Travel page.
For VOIP Equipment Needs:
See our VOIP Accessories page for info on the types of device available and ideas on where you can purchase these online.
If you’re keen to see customer reviews for what’s on offer Amazon is a good place to start. They have a section dedicated to Webcams and VOIP equipment:
Unsure of the dialing code you need for your calls ? You can find out dialing codes for phoning countries / regions around the world with this handy tool :
Hearing Concerns ?
If you wear a hearing aid this isn’t necessarily a constraint for doing VOIP online calling. There are headsets available that are compatible for use with a hearing aid.
Hearingdirect.com is a good place to get an idea of the types of devices available for those suffering with impaired hearing. This includes one of the headset models that’s designed for use with a hearing aid.
Handy to know:
Hearingdirect.com also offer a free hearing test which you can do online. This is aimed at helping people identify if they may be experiencing any loss of hearing.
Who May Have Called ?
Did you know that if you have a missed phone call you can find out where it was from. All you need to do is to tap in the STD code of the number into the search bar on this handy site.
