Internet Calling

While many free Internet calling providers offer free calls, their fine print limits users to a certain amount of talk time to the public network (usually, calls between users on the same network are free and not counted towards this). After the allotted amount, the call is cut off. Other services only allow you to place free calls to users on the same network. For example:

• Freebuzzer offers only 2 minutes of free Internet calls
• Tuitalker offers 3 free calls per day with their 3 for Free plan.
• iEvaphone offers 4 calls a day; or a duration of 24 hours on a single IP.
• Lumicall offers free calling from their website to any user with Lumicall.
• Call2Friends offers a specific number of free time (measured in seconds) that depends on the country you are calling.

Furthermore, some free Internet calls also may make you listen to advertisements that you hear or see before your call is connected. Other free Internet calling providers very likely charge for international calls, too. So while you may be able to get free calling without paying for a service, your free calling is severely limited.

Many residential and business VoIP providers permit unlimited long distance calling (if you are not on a Pay As You Go or Metered plan). Because VoIP uses the Internet to make and receive calls, calling long distance is entirely cheap. 

International calling is usually heavily discounted as well: most countries have low per-minute rates. Check with your provider to see what type of international calling rates they offer. Business providers like Jive offer their subscribers a $0.03/minute calling area that includes select countries, while residential providers like ITP have global calling plans that allow for unlimited calling to the USA, Canada, and over 70 countries.  

But in the end, the bottom line is this: if you want to replace your local home phone service with a cheaper service and maintain the same level of service, an Internet home phone provider may be for you.