Internet Phone Service Software

[johndrake]

Hi All,

My name is Joe Pape and I live in Illinois. I would like to use my Mac to make phone calls, specifically overseas to Asia. Could someone please help me with suggesting both good software and a good service provider?

Thanks!

-Joe

 

[drlex]

Skype is well-regarded for this task (see

http://www.skype.com).

It's free for computer-computer calls. To get calls from computer-telephone, you'll need either skype-out (paid-for service on skype) or to use a scheme like vonage (

http://www.vonage.com,

I suspect) - like cell contracts, your best choice will depend on your planned usage.

Most require broadband for the bandwidth.

you mention Asia - note that China is blocking such services, no doubt to protect chinese telecoms revenue as well as for political reasons.

soi la, soi carré

 

[Zelandakh]

But not all of China - we use it extensively.

 

[johndrake]

Hi All,

Thank you for the information. I'm going back to that States on 30 November and I'll give it a try. I appreciate your help.

-Joe

 

[drlex]

Zel - thanks, I stand corrected.

soi la, soi carré

 

[wybnormal]

Even thought I just contributed to a new Syngress book on Skype, I prefer Gizmo for several reasons. One is the voice quality and two is that Gizmo uses the industry standard of SIP for the VoIP protocol. While this does not on the surface appear to be a big deal, in the big picture it makes a large difference, especially in a corporate network.

With the purchase of Skype by Ebay, this may change somewhat so we are all watching

Both support Mac and PCs well. I have not tested either on Linux yet.

MikeS

http://www.packetattack.com

http://www.packetpress.net

Home of the book "Network Security Using Linux"