Howto: Make free VoIP calls

VoIP has a reputation for free calls, but do not be fooled by the hype. While it is true that certain VoIP calls are free, others are not. The best advice is for you to examine a call plan first as many VoIP providers only provide free calls to landlines in your domestic country or to others who subscribe to their service.

So how do you make free VoIP calls? What do you need to look out for with providers like Vonage and Skype?

1. Free VoIP calls as part of a VoIP provider plan - Like I was saying above, your first point of call to get free VoIP calls is with your call plan. Look out for the details on VoIP - landline, VoIP - cell phones and VoIP - VoIP calls. Most VoIP providers will offer free VoIP - landline and free VoIP - VoIP calls, but you will probably not get free VoIP - VoIP calls.
2. PC - PC VoIP calls - You can also use soft VoIP solution such as Skype or VoIPCheap. These PC-based VoIP applications typically offer free PC - PC calls, but interestingly they also offer much reduced pricing for international calls. Recently Skype have been offering free calls to all landlines and cell phones within the USA and Canada. You can also use IM clients such as iChat, Google Talk, Yahoo Instant Messenger or AIM to make PC - PC calls for free.

While it may be easier to make free PC - PC calls with a soft VoIP application, you’ll be forced to make your calls from your PC. While this may sound acceptable if you are a single person living in an apartment, it probably won’t work in a home family situation. People typically like making calls in private away from other people, so for the home situation you would be best to go for a VoIP call plan from the likes of Vonage or BT Broadband (UK).

Now all this depends on your location. If you live in the USA, Canada, UK or other EU member state then you’ll have plenty of options thanks to the free market. If you live in China or UAE, chances are that free VoIP calls will be an impossibility due to government regulation and the protection of incumbent telcos.