internet phones

[Bert Streppel]

> All of my neighbours are getting rid of their local base phones and
> switching to vonage.com and paying just $14 a month for 500 minutes or $24 
> for unlimited local and long distance plus many other addons like caller 
> ID, email alert of phone calls, call forwarding,etc.... and the great 
> thing is that you take your current phone number with them!
>
> It comes with the E911 which will work like the normal 911 service.
>
> My internet cable provider is earthlink and they also started to offer a
> similar product "TrueVoice" for the same price.
>
> After seeing the Voip service in action with my neighbour, I'm going to 
> get it right away, but I'm wondering if anybody has any comments about 
> earthlink's true voice versus vonage service ?
>

I'm using Skype  www.skype.com They offer a service that will allow you to 
call a phone number anywhere in the world for 2 cents a minute (some 
exceptions) Skype to Skype is free. I purchased a wireless base handset from 
http://us.accessories.skype.com/direct/skypeusa/itemdetl.jsp?prod=2831 which 
connects to the normal telephone network and a USB port on your system. It 
will also support up to three 
http://www.dualphone-us.com/direct/dualphone/itemdetl.jsp?prod=2878 
additional handsets. All incoming calls are flagged as either External or PC 
based calls and you push the appropriate button on the handset to connect. 
You can make normal telephone calls and PC based calls. The Skype phone 
directory, maintained on the computer system, is displayed on the handset if 
VOIP calls are initiated. You buy SkypeOut credit in either $10 or $25 
increments and you have 6 months to use your credit. There is presently no 
recurring monthly charge. I presently live in Mexico and can use Skype on my 
laptop system when I am in range of a wireless access point when traveling. 
Skype also supports a webcam if required.

rgds