Skype is a free product which allows you to make free phone calls over the Internet. (Strictly speaking, they’re not phone calls, but who cares if it’s free?)
To use it, you need a decent microphone and headset plugged into your computer, a connection to the Internet and someone to talk to. Unlike other Voice over IP (VoIP) products, Skype users can only talk to other Skypers. However, it does offer SkypeOut to connect to normal telephones. At a little more than 1p a minute to call most major European countries and the US, it’s good value. I’ve used it to call my daughter in Germany several times and I still have €22 out of the €25 credit I bought.
The sound quality is very good and now Skype has introduced SkypeIn and Voicemail. You still need to have your computer switched on to use it, but it’s definitely one to try. Visit the Skype website to read more about it.