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Internet phone calls – brings people together
Internet phone calls not just for geeks
When the concept of Internet phone calls was first introduced, many thought
that it was a service that only hardcore tech-geeks and sophisticated IT departments
could use, as these were users that were always eager to take on and test out
the latest products technology could offer. However, that soon changed when
many discovered the cost-effectiveness of Internet phone calls, its convenience
and also its improved reliability. Particularly low cost especially for International
calls, the number of users making phone calls over the Internet skyrocketed
when companies like Skype, Net2Phone and Vonage started utilizing this technology
to provide cheaper telecommunications services and simultaneously popularizing
the term broadband telephone service.
Phone calls for free
Now, you can even literally call someone across the globe for free. When Skype
introduced the Internet telephone, and offered their application to be downloaded
AND phone calls made to other Skype users for free, the number of Internet phone
call users skyrocketed. Within 14 months of its beta launch, Skype users reached
a whopping 1 million simultaneous Skype users online. (Source from Skype.com)
Free international phone calls
Currently, users who previously had to pay top dollar for International phone
calls can practically turn that to zero costs with the switch to an internet
phone. With this, students could call their parents at home from thousands of
miles away, and high telephone costs will no longer be an excuse for not keeping
in touch. Business people and entrepreneurs can manage their companies remotely
and cost-effectively from practically anywhere in the world. For example, Vonage
user Mitch Ratcliffe has saved $15,000 a year on phone call costs with the use
of his Vonage broadband telephone. Similarly, some users who are high-frequency
travelers can enjoy the flexibility of being able to bring their Vonage routers
with them when working onsite in order to continuously stay connected. (Source:
Cnet.com)
Anonymous Chatting
In addition to just being able to connect people to their associates and family,
internet phone calls also opens a door for anonymous chatting. Previously, chatting
with strangers was usually conducted over a chat room or via instant messenger
services, but now callers have the added ability to call other users who are
online over Skype. By activating the Skype Me option in Skype, users open themselves
to conversations other Skype users who may wish to randomly call someone for
a small talk.
Difficulty in tapping Internet calls
Internet phone calls are causing a headache for intelligence agencies like the
FBI, who has difficulty tapping calls made over the Internet. Due to the nature
of VoIP technology, voice transmitted via data packets is broken down into pieces
prior to transmission. This makes wire-tapping virtually impossible for Internet
telephone conversations, at least for now.
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