USB internet phones bargain or...?

[Tinky]

Bought 2 of these phones at a table top sale for £1, still in original packages, complete with installation disc, but no information leaflet. Have I bought a pig-in-the-poke? I presume I give one to a family member or friend. What are the pros and cons, e.g. what advantage do they have over emails etc., and are phone calls really free?

[Dai]

Download and install the Skype software. If you and your friend both set up Skype accounts you can talk for free as long as you like.

also its good if you natter a lot to overseas persons.

[Dai]

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

also its good if you natter a lot to overseas persons.

Absolutely. I can talk to the family in Australia and Canada for nowt.

[Matth]

Internet to internet (same call provider) = free
Internet to internet (different call provider) = often impossible
Internet to real phone = requires purchased call credit (on systems that support outgoing PSTN)
Real phone to internet = requires subscription to incoming number, on systems which support it, the incoming number can be in another country if you wish.

There are services other than Skype, which do not abuse your connection for forwarding traffic.

http://www.voipcheap.co.uk/en/index.html

Skype's level of penetration, firewall workaround and sheer momentum make it hard to go against for internet to internet calls, the alternatives may be a better choice for internet to and from phone.

[Chicken]

Tesco's Internet Phone service is good value for money - it gives you a regional (01xxx) incoming number, calls @ 2P min or less if you take a package out.

Audio quality isn't quite as good as a land line and there's a just noticeable delay (about the same as ringing a mobile), but other than that it works as it should.

[Tinky]

Thank you for all the replies Goes off to insert installation disk.