How do i make a phone call from my pc?

Question

How do i make a phone call from my pc?

Answer 1

There are a couple of ways:

1) If you have both a voice modem and a landline, you can plug your computer's modem into the phone jack and dial out using dialing software. I'm guessing this isn't what you were referring to.

2) Download and subscribe to a VoIP service. VoIP stands for Voice over IP. Services that let you dial out to regular phones include Vonage and Skype...but both services require you to pay for this capability. Skype also lets you call other Skype members free of charge, but this requires that the person you are calling has a computer with Skype installed or at least a Skype compatible device.

Answer 2

There are actually Many Ways to call from your PC:

1.

As previously suggested by Van S., use a Voice Modem to interface between your PC and PSTN landline.  As far as the software required, NCH Software specializes in PSTN phone interface software:

http://www.nch.com.au/dial/index.html

2.

When it comes to VoIP there are now literally dozens of choices for calling from your PC.  There are Two Primary methods of PC-based VoIP calling.

2a - PC-to-PC calling.

2b - PC-to-Phone calling

2a.

PC-toPC calling is also called "In-Network" calling.

When you call PC-PC, it is generally Free.  This is because for the most part, your voice data is transferred over the Internet.  And, as we generally know, transferring data over Internet is generally... Free.

The overhead required for a VoIP service to connect two of their account holders to each other is next to nothing, so it is generally free for In-Network calling between account holders.

PC-to-PC calling generally is facilitated by using a Softphone, which is software on your PC that emulates a telephone dialer.

Examples of VoIP services that allow free PC-PC calling are:

- Google Talk

- Yahoo Messenger or Yahoo Voice

- MSN Messenger or Windows Live Messenger

- Skype

- Gizmo5

I have used all of the above services at one time or another for testing.  My personal favorites are Google Talk and Skype.

2b.

PC-to-Phone calling is another story from PC-PC, or In-Network, calling.

Now, you have to "Pay Money" to call from PC-to-PSTN landlines (with some exceptions).

Why?  Because to call PSTN landlines your voice data now has to travese the PSTN telephone services networks.  ..... Since when does the PSTN phone services ever give away free phone calling..... ?

So, it doesn't matter who the VoIP service provider is, they have to pay money to the PSTN networks to allow Origination and Termination over the PSTN phone networks to landlines, or cells.  And, the VoIP service obviously has to pass those costs on to you, the consumer.

Ok, there are exceptions (usually temporary exceptions).

The exceptions of where a VoIP service will give you truely free calling (no money.... at all) is when they are a new start-up, still in Beta Development phase of creating a new VoIP business.

Take for example.... SKYPE.

I have been using Skype for over 3 years now.  Initially, Skype offered FREE PC-Phone calling anywhere in USA/Canada.  It was great and I did it for about a Year.  But, as we all know those days of free Skype calls to PSTN landlines are ....... long gone.  But, they became successful because they started out by giving away FREE phone calls.

Guaranteed, any VoIP service that is giving away FREE VoIP calls today, will not still be giving them away for free a year, or two from now.  Why?  How long would you want to work for free before going bankrupt?  They offer free long enough to establish a new client base.  But, eventually, the prices creap up....

JaJah did the same thing.  Now their prices are too high for my liking.

How many years do you think the MagicJack will survive on giving you a phone number and unlimited phone calls to PSTN landlines for $20/year.....?  I give them 1... or 2 years max

(ok here's where I get the thumbs down from MJ fans)

Here is a list of some VoIP services that have softphones that allow PC-to-Phone calling for..... very low rates:

- Skype

- Gizmo5

- Efonica

- PcCall

- Windows Live Messenger

- Yahoo Voice

- Hotfoon

- Google Talk (yes, it is possible to call landlines from Google Talk using a 3rd party service called GTalk2VoIP.com

- Magicjack  ( I wouldn't want to forget MJ for fear of reprisal)

Answer 3

get skype

Answer 4

Your computer may have a Phone Dialer program installed. To find out, open your Start Menu, then go to the Programs, then point to Accessories, then Communications. Look for a program similar to Phone Dialer. Then, have a phone line coming from a phone jack, going into your computer's phone line input. Then, just type in the phone number in the program, press Dial, turn on your phone, and the number will dial.

Answer 5

Use Skype. You can get it free from

http://www.skype.com

Answer 6

The cheapest and best out there is only http://skype.com/

Answer 7

Use Skype it's free to skype another skype user, just download it. it's brill !!