Using voice over IP, any computer or telephone connected to the internet with a broadband connection can call another computer or phone at a fraction of usual cost, or absolutely free. In other words VoIP can turn a standard Internet connection into a way to place free phone calls.

Photo credit: Aleksey Telnov

The practical upshot of this is that by using some of the free VoIP software that is available to make Internet phone calls, you are bypassing the phone company (and its charges) entirely.

VoIP is increasingly replacing traditional voice communications and access to it can take place today from most any kind of telephony device whether physical or digital. Traditional telephones can easily access low-cost VoIP services like JaJah while maintaining their telephony hardware intact.

Even mobile phones can now access VoIP telephony services from multiple providers making it possible for users to save significantly on long-distance and international calls and taking greater advantage of new complementary services like conferencing, scheduling, recording and more.

Photo credit: Trust

Key benefits of using VoIP:

• Lowering cost of traditional phone calls


• Being able to use your phone line from anywhere you are


• Counter the long-time monopoly of phone companies. If you want telcos to change and start listening this is one way sure way of making your voice heard.

Key features characterizing computer based VoIP tools

1. Full-duplex
   
   Ability for two or more users to talk simultaneously.
2. Audio conferencing
   Call and talk simultaneously with multiple persons in the same call.
3. Echo cancellation
   Echo cancellation is a feature which allows the VoIP system to cancel out the echo generated by listening to your callers via computer speakers.
4. Integrated video conferencing
   Integrated ability to set up video conferences with other participants.
5. Integrated text chat
   Users can text chat while talking.
6. File sending
   Send files to the people you are talking to.
7. Audio/call recording
   Record VoIP phone calls to your computer.
8. Call to landlines
   Call directly traditional landlines and mobile phones.
9. Receive from landlines
   Receive calls directly traditional landlines and mobile phones.
10. Send SMS
    Send text-based messages to mobile phones and other systems that can receive them.
11. Web-based
    Can access the VoIP system indpendently of the type of operating system used.
12. Latency
    In VoIP terminology, latency refers to a delay in the delivery of the "packets" containing the voice-information bits sent from one Internet user to another one. VoIP latency has been a common problem for VoIP users in the first few years of use but it is now generally an issue limited to users on slow dial-up connections. VoIP latency is usually based on physical distance, number of "hops" (internet servers through which the packets need to go through), and / or issues with voice-to-data conversion.
13. Codecs
    To be transmitted over the internet, voice packets are compressed just like digital images are normally compressed into jpeg files for standard usage. Unlike digital images, voice can be compressed with a number of different compressors called "codecs". Different codecs produce different quality voice transmissions optimized for different types of internet connection speeds.

List of dedicated VoIP tools

Skype

Skype is a software that lets you make free PC to PC calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world. And even though the calls are free, they are really excellent quality. If you and your friends, family or business contacts are using webcams, you can also make free video calls. You can even call landlines and mobile phones at really cheap per minute rates (and there's no setup or subscription fee). Skype is available for Windows, Mac and Linux (video calls are currently available only to Windows and Mac users). Free download.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: YES


• Echo cancellation: YES


• Integrated video conferencing: YES


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: YES


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: YES


• Receive from landlines: YES


• Send SMS: YES


• Web-based: NO


• URL: http://www.skype.com/


• Cost: Free

Our reviews:

Skype Goes SMS: The New 2.5 Beta Version Reviewed
May 18, 2006

Skype Becomes An Open Development Platform
November 9, 2004

JaJah

Jajah is a software to make free audio and video calls to anyone connected to a PC to the Internet, to SIP-compliant devices and smartphones, as well as to interconnect to standard telephone and mobile users around the world. Among its feature there is live text chat which can also go out to mobile phones, along with a real-time text message translator.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: YES


• Echo cancellation: YES


• Integrated video conferencing: NO


• Integrated text chat: NO


• File sending: NO


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: YES


• Receive from landlines: YES


• Send SMS: YES


• Web-based: YES


• URL: http://www.jajah.com/


• Cost: Free

Our reviews:

Skype Killer Offers Free VoIP, SMS and Videoconferencing: JAJAH
June 25, 2005

VoIP Recording: JaJah Does It Good
September 22, 2005

Free Phone Calls Are A Reality: JaJah Does It Again
June 27, 2006

VoIP On Mobile Cellphones? JaJah Let's You Talk At Super-Low Rates
August 30, 2005

Gizmo Project

An internet telephone. As simple as an instant messenger. You can make free calls to all Gizmo users and features free voicemail and conferences calls from your desktop. Gizmo also provides inexpensive add-ons that let you make and receive phone calls from any mobile and landline phone. At the moment you can make free calls to 60 countries. It works on Windows, Mac and Linux. Free download.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: NO


• Echo cancellation: NO


• Integrated video conferencing: NO


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: NO


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: YES


• Receive from landlines: YES


• Send SMS: NO


• Web-based: NO


• URL: http://www.gizmoproject.com/


• Cost: Free

Our reviews:

VoIP Telephony: GizmoProject Ushers Us Further Into The New Free Phone Calls Era - All Calls Free Launches Today
July 20, 2006

Cross-Platform IM To Call Traditional Phones And PCs: Skype-like Gizmo Project Keeps Growing
June 21, 2006

Ineen

Ineen is free to download and allows you to make free pc calls and supports video conferencing (maximum four participants) and audio conferencing (up to 10 people). You can transfer calls to other Ineen users and also record them. Ineen works on Windows and Mac. Free download.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: YES


• Echo cancellation: YES


• Integrated video conferencing: YES


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: NO


• Audio/call recording: YES


• Call to landlines: NO


• Receive from landlines: NO


• Send SMS: NO


• Web-based: NO


• URL: http://www.ineen.com


• Cost: Free

Our review:

Cross-Platform, Videoconferencing-Enabled, Standards-Compliant: The New Skype Is Called Ineen
April 2, 2005

Babble

Babble allows you to use your broadband connection to phone and text (SMS) around the world. Babble lets you to make cheap international calls and use any SIP telephone or free software download (Babble, X-Lite, SJphone). Phone calls between Babble users are completely free of charge. Babble also offers free voice mailbox.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: NO


• Echo cancellation: NO


• Integrated video conferencing: NO


• Integrated text chat: NO


• File sending: NO


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: YES


• Receive from landlines: YES


• Send SMS: YES


• Web-based: NO


• URL: http://www.babble.net/


• Cost: Free

Our review:

Cheaper Than Skype: Babble
November 26, 2004

Voxwire

The Voxwire Meeting Room is an unlimited computer-to-computer web conferencing application that allows people to talk to each other, send text-messages, and see the same website or other presentation on their screens - from anywhere in the world. It can be used for private communication or with large groups of participants. Unlike other web conferencing products, it is not necessary for guests to purchase a license to talk with you. Anyone with speakers can join and hear you in your Meeting Room. A 3 person room costs $17 per month, while a 10 person room costs $37 per month. Free 7 days trial available.

• Full Duplex: NO


• Audio conferencing: YES


• Echo cancellation: YES


• Integrated video conferencing: NO


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: NO


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: NO


• Receive from landlines: NO


• Send SMS: NO


• Web-based: YES


• URL: http://www.voxwire.com/


• Cost: From $37/month (10 Users)

Our review:

Review Of Voxwire MeetingRoom

iVocalize

iVocalize enables interactive web conference meetings for today's distributed workforce, online seminars, e-learning classrooms and presentations to an audience spanning the globe. Features include synchronized web browsing, integrated whiteboard and presentation recording. A 10 users license costs $40.

• Full Duplex: NO


• Audio conferencing: YES


• Echo cancellation: YES


• Integrated video conferencing: NO


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: NO


• Audio/call recording: YES


• Call to landlines: NO


• Receive from landlines: NO


• Send SMS: NO


• Web-based: YES


• URL: http://www.ivocalize.net/


• Cost: From $40/month (10 users)

Google Talk

Google Talk enables you to call or send instant messages to your friends for free, anytime, anywhere in the world. Google Talk allows you to get in touch with an IM, email, or a call (only between Google Talk users) and supports files transfering. Google Talk requires Windows XP/2000 but Mac and Linux users can connect to Google Talk using other IM clients. Free download.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: NO


• Echo cancellation: NO


• Integrated video conferencing: NO


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: YES


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: NO


• Receive from landlines: NO


• Send SMS: NO


• Web-based: NO


• URL: http://www.google.com/talk/


• Cost: Free

Our review:

Instant Messaging With Integrated VoIP: Google Talk Is Here
August 24, 2005

Raketu

Raketu is an instant messenger that allows you to make calls from PC to PC and dialing out to landlines and mobile phones (check the current rates). You can also send SMS text message to any cell anywhere in the world and using the Multi-Messenger feature, you can send instant messages to other IM networks. Raketu offers support for any instant messenger (AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, Skype, Google Talk) and conferencing across messengers (also supports Wavago instant messenger). Additionally, Raketu provides you with information about any topic you are interested in and an integrated multimedia player that allows you to watch videos and listen to music. You can also play games and view your pictures or PowerPoint presentation as slideshow with music in background. Free download.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: YES


• Echo cancellation: NO


• Integrated video conferencing: NO


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: YES


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: YES


• Receive from landlines: NO


• Send SMS: NO


• Web-based: NO


• URL: http://www.raketu.com/en/index.php


• Cost: Free

Windows Live Messenger

Windows Live Messenger is the next-generation MSN Messenger. Along with everything you already know about MSN Messenger, there are brand new features that provide you with new ways to connect and share files with your contacts. As always, it's free to download Messenger and use most of its features.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: NO


• Echo cancellation: YES


• Integrated video conferencing: YES


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: YES


• Audio/call recording: YES


• Call to landlines: NO


• Receive from landlines: YES


• Send SMS: YES


• Web-based: YES


• URL: http://messenger.msn.com/


• Cost: Free

Our review:

Microsoft Instant Messenger Gets Better: Windows Live Messenger 8 Beta
May 31, 2006

Yahoo Messenger

Yahoo! Messenger is a popular instant messaging client and protocol provided by Yahoo!. Yahoo! Messenger is free of charge and can be downloaded and used with a generic "Yahoo! ID", which also allows access to other Yahoo! services, such as Yahoo! Mail, where users can be automatically notified when they receive new email. Yahoo instant messenger also includes a security feature which allows the user to be "invisible" to whoever they choose.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: YES


• Echo cancellation: YES


• Integrated video conferencing: YES


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: YES


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: YES


• Receive from landlines: YES


• Send SMS: NO


• Web-based: NO


• URL: http://messenger.yahoo.com/


• Cost: Free

Our review:

Instant Messaging Integrates Telephony And PC-To-Phone Calls: Yahoo Messenger With Voice Is Here
March 23, 2006

AIM Triton

AIM Triton is an instant messanger that allows you to text message your buddies and also receive messages on your phone when you are offline. With AIM you can also perform PC to PC calls and start video chats. You can also try AIM Triton, another version of this IM that also enables you to call landline and mobile phones and get your own free local phone number with unlimited incoming calls. Free download.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: NO


• Echo cancellation: YES


• Integrated video conferencing: YES


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: YES


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: YES


• Receive from landlines: YES


• Send SMS: NO


• Web-based: NO


• URL: http://www.aim.com/


• Cost: Free

Vonage

Vonage is a provider of broadband telephone services that enables anyone to make and receive phone calls with a touch tone telephone almost anywhere a broadband Internet connection is available. Vonage calling plans offer consumers unlimited local and long distance calling, and popular features like call waiting, call forwarding and voicemail - for one low, flat monthly rate.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: NO


• Echo cancellation: NO


• Integrated video conferencing: NO


• Integrated text chat: NO


• File sending: NO


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: YES


• Receive from landlines: YES


• Send SMS: NO


• Web-based: NO


• URL: http://www.vonage.com


• Cost: $14.99 for unlimited local and regional calls; $24.99 for unlimited long distance call (US, Canada)

Our review:

Portable VoIP USB Key Makes Low-Cost Calls From Any PC You Connect It To: Vonage V-Phone
July 4, 2006

Wengo

Wengo is a VoIP provider which allows you to make free PC to PC calls with all your friends, whatever instant messenger they have among Yahoo!, AOL and Jabber. Wengo also supports conference calls between three persons and also video conferencing. You can also make PC to phone calls (see the price list). Wengo is open source and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

• Full Duplex: YES


• Audio conferencing: YES


• Echo cancellation: YES


• Integrated video conferencing: YES


• Integrated text chat: YES


• File sending: YES


• Audio/call recording: NO


• Call to landlines: YES


• Receive from landlines: YES


• Send SMS: YES


• Web-based: YES


• URL: http://www.wengo.com


• Cost: Free

VoIP and audio conferencing tools comparison chart

Click on the screenshot below to view the full chart.

This chart has been created with Google Docs & Spreadsheets

Resources on VoIP and Audio Conferencing

• Web Definitions for VoIP
  

  This Google search displays the most popular definitions of VoIP available in the World Wide Web.





• Voice-Over-Internet Protocol: an overview from the Federal Communications Commission

  Here is an overview of VoIP from the Federal Communications Commission. With news, FAQs, factsheets, and findings.





• What Is VoIP: a guide by O'Reilly Network

  Ted Wallingford of O'Reilly Network looks at the VoIP technology, which is the key ingredient in Vonage, Skype, Cisco CallManager.





• VoIP: definition on Wikipedia

Here is the official definition of VoIP available on Wikipedia, with links to VoIP software and technical references that you might want to check out.





• VoIP Wiki: a reference guide to all things VoIP

This wiki covers everything related to VOIP, software, hardware, service providers, reviews, configurations, standards, tips & tricks and everything else related to voice over IP networks, IP telephony and Internet Telephony.





• How VoIP Works: an introduction by How Stuff Works

  Here is an explaination of what VoIP is and how it works. The host website provides you with useful information about this technology and how it can improve the quality of your communication.

VoIP and audio conferencing newsradar

This information has been researched and collected by Robin Good in conjunction and support of the LANCELOT Language Research Project funded by the European Commission under the LEONARDO DA VINCI, Language Competence II programme.

This mini-guide has been written for online teachers, trainers and language facilitators that need to navigate the vast sea of options and alternatives available to them. In no way this mini-guide intends to be a comprehensive and complete list of all tools and technologies for a specific use.

It is simply an initial starting guide for novice online tutors needing to understand within the least time possible which tools and technologies could be most appropriate for their online language training needs.

Please utilize the Comments section below to add and provide references, info and links to other relevant tools that could be included in this mini-guide