Internet calling is easy

More than half of all internet users will be making some use of their computers for telephony in two years. FRANCIS TILL reports.

Using a computer to make "telephone" calls has been possible almost since the net went public.

In 1994, an Israeli company, VocalTech Communications, introduced a piece of freeware called the "Internet Phone", which bypassed the phone companies to let any two computer users anywhere talk to each other free - under specific conditions.

Now, even telephone companies route calls over the internet and, while there is often some degradation of signal, you will probably never notice the difference.

If you hear an occasional echo on your line, it is unlikely to be a wiretap. It probably means your call is routed, at least in part, over the net.

The process employs a technology called VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol. And if your telephone call winds up on a VoIP network, the chances are about one in five that it is being managed by VocalTech - which is now one of the world's leading internet telephony companies but which no longer offers the Internet Phone that started it all.

Research company IDC estimates that by 2004, 60 per cent of all internet users will be making at least some use of their computers for telephony.

So maybe it's time you tried it.

Three types of internet calling

There are three types of basic internet calling: PC to PC, PC to phone, and conference calling, or chat.

PC to PC is the oldest version - and while it is the most complex, it is also often free regardless of distance. It also tends to be much like radio communication - remember your childhood walkie-talkie? Only one person can usually speak at a time because the transmissions otherwise cancel each other out.

PC to phone is almost never free for long distance, but it is dead simple once you have selected a software package - and, usually, a subscription service. These conversations sound much like a regular phone call.

While the international calls are not free, they are often drastically discounted against the costs of normal calls.

Chat is PC to PC, but resembles an old-fashioned partyline in a global neighbourhood. Most voice chat groups let callers wall themselves off from the mob for a tete-a-tete.

Often, as well, the conversation is augmented by some form of text-based instant messaging tool, making it possible for people in the group to converse by text while someone else is speaking.

Many internet phone hosts also offer voice chat options - along with video.

A few big players, lots of minnows

Since VoIP calling caught on, thousands of companies providing consumer software solutions have sprung up. Most have failed or been absorbed by larger companies, but there are still many minnows around - as well as some very large fish.

For a list of 21 rated internet phone programs, go to CNET's Download section and search for "Internet Phone".

Microsoft should be at the top of the list, and it does have an elaborate, free, PC to PC programme called NetMeeting that comes preinstalled on most newer PCs. NetMeeting can be used for personal calling, but it is intended for business users.

The best-known PC to PC company is Net2Phone, which has offered VoIP connections to regular phones from computers since 1996 - and provides a free PC to PC service to members (minimum credit card deposit of US$10).

Net2Phone works like a very inexpensive long-distance phone company (up to 90 per cent less, they say) and provides excellent voice quality. There is a small download (two megabytes, which should take less than five minutes on most 56Kbps dialup connections) and a credit card is required, of course.

The software installs automatically and a wizard walks users through configuration. New Zealand credit cards are often rejected by US retailers. Keep trying, or contact customer service if this happens.

Some free PC to PC minnows that are simple and fun (and have PC to phone options) include US-based PalTalk, which has a very large, diverse, hosted community, and PC-Telephone, which is more complex but not insurmountably so.

PalTalk's download is small and self-installing, and many members of the communities run webcams as well, making video phoning practical.

Members can use PalTalk to make one-to-one calls by clicking a button - and a handy Instant Messenger-like panel tells users who among their registered friends is available for a call (both parties must be members for the calling to work).

PalTalk is a bit clumsy and the sound is not always terrific, but there is excellent help available in the user groups.

PC-Telephone will call mobile phones and transfer incoming PC to PC calls to your telephone, if you like. The PC to PC calls are direct and so require you to know the IP addresses involved (see sidebar).

VocalTec

Microsoft Net Meeting

Net2phone.com

pc-telephone.com

download.cnet.com