Using the Internet to Make Free International Calls

Another internet innovation, VOIP makes for free internet calling. Image: fsse8info/flickr

Thanks to the global market it is now more important than ever to stay in touch with colleagues, family, or other work relationships. Many times this can be an expensive endeavor as it is still not always cost effective to make international calls; it is also made more difficult by the time difference. Thanks to the arrival of the Internet it is now possible to make free internet calls to India and the rest of the world. Awesome.

The technology that powers this revolution in communication is known as VOIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol. The basic idea behind VOIP is that your voice is converted into a digital signal that is then translated into a language that computers can understand. It is sent over the Internet to the person that you are talking to on the other end. From there the signal is converted from the digital signal, back to your voice for the receiver to hear. By making your calls using the VOIP network you cut out the telephone companies lines, and send your message only through the Internet to make free international calls.

There are several ways to get started using free internet calling, including free international calls using the VOIP network, but the easiest and one of the most popular ways is with an application called Skype. With Skype you can place free calls to anyone else on Skype; this allows you make free calls to India and the rest of the world. Skype is a simple application that connects to the VOIP network to make calls using the VOIP network, or place calls to land and cell phones for a fraction of the price of a normal phone call. To get started with Skype all you need to do is go to download and install the software and you can get started with your free VOIP calls immediately.

Another option for making international calls at a reduced rate are with calling cards or access numbers. Many times calling cards offer a group of minutes that are able to be used internationally at a fraction of the price you would normally pay with your regular telephone plan. By calling a certain number and entering your PIN number you are able to place phone calls to anywhere in the world. Access numbers allow you to make calls from your home phone number and talk to anyone on the VOIP network. This method also reduces the price of phone calls internationally, when it is combined with the VOIP network.