You can ring my bell.

Internet phone calls let you stay in touch for free

These days, it seems that nearly every phone company has a high-priced celebrity pitching its long-distance services. Comparing the myriad calling plans, however, can get a bit overwhelming. Who knows if 7 cent weekends is a better deal? Does using a 10-10 dial-around number really save money? If you own a PC with an Internet connection, you won't have to compare costs; you can make calls for free.

A technology known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or Internet telephony, makes it possible. VoIP, which is more than five years old, uses unique software that transforms analog vocals (your voice) into digital data packets. These packets can then be sent over any Internet protocol (IP) network. When they arrive on the other end--a phone or PC--they are reassembled into analog signals that replicate your voice. Since the signals are trafficked over the Internet and do not require a dedicated phone line, PC-to-PC calls are mostly free. Mostly.

Like any other calling plan, you'll want to read the fine print before dialing. Each VoIP company's charges and services will vary. For example, in most cases, if you place a call from your PC, you pay only your Internet service provider's (ISP) charges, plus the cost of a phone call. You'll also pay significantly less than standard rates for international calls; PhoneFree.com rates, for example, start at 4 cents per minute. IP networks also let you send many different types of information, making videoconferencing, multicasting, and faxing more feasible.

Keep in mind, though, you probably won't be hearing any pins drop when making a VoIP connection. Until recently, no standards existed, so conversing was possible only with those who had the same software app on the other end. Also, the apps supported only half-duplex modes. In other words, exactly one person could talk at a time, which was hardly conducive to the spontaneous speaking style we're used to. And some users complain that their reception is hollow-sounding, with annoying delays. The technology, however, continues to improve steadily and the number of users is increasing. Dial pad already boasts some 10 million users.

One reason for the poor quality of VoIP calls is that the Internet was not designed with a consistent flow of data in mind. The packets of information that are your voice are being sent sporadically, so naturally your voice will not be delivered in a streaming fashion. Additionally, some areas of the Internet can experience extreme amounts of traffic. Reaching out after hours, when there are fewer users on the Infobahn, may improve your calling experience. Or perhaps one day we'll see the construction of a new network one that's dedicated to digital voice traffic only.

Until that happens VoIP technology has nowhere to go but up. The big telcos, such as AT&T, Sprint, and MCI, see a bright future in Internet telephony and are jumping on the bandwagon. Currently, however, Internet telephony is better suited to larger businesses, which could save enough money that sacrificing quality would be worthwhile; individuals who want to make short phone calls might also find it a bargain.

Another deciding factor in Internet telephony's future is government regulation. The FCC has encouraged growth by disobliging Internet telephony service providers (ITSPs), like Qwest and IDT, from paying charges similar to those the telcos pay. But if this situation does not last--and you can bet it won't--one of the technology's main benefits, the low or no cost, could disappear all together. But as long as these fledgling companies don't employ the likes of James Earl Jones or Arsenio Hall, you can bet that the cost will at least be lower than standard phone service, especially if international companies become involved.

Pros and cons of Internet calling

COMPANIES!     dialpad.com

               www.dialpad.com

MINIMUM        windows 95/98/NT,
REQUIREMENTS   Internet Explorer 4.0
               or Netscape Communicator 4.5,
               sound card, microphone

CHARGES        None

PROS           Helpful tutorials

CONS           No additional features such as
               voice mail

COMPANIES!     @net2phone

               www.net2phone.com

MINIMUM        Windows-95/9-8/2000/NT/
REQUIREMENTS   modem, microphone and speakers

CHARGES        None

PROS           Extensive list of business services

CONS           Limited consumer options

COMPANIES!     PHONEFREE.COM

               www.phonefree.com

MINIMUM        Windows 95/98/2000
REQUIREMENTS   NT 4.0, modem, microphone and
               speakers, or headset

CHARGES        None

PROS           Easy to use; plans for Mac version
               under way

CONS           None

COMPANIES!     visitalk.com

               www.visitalk.com

MINIMUM        Windows 95/98/2000/
REQUIREMENTS   NT 4.0, modem, microphone and
               speakers, or headset

CHARGES        None

PROS           Free PC-to-PC calls worldwide;
               free voice mail

CONS           A 12-digit Personal
               Communications Number (PCN)