Phone calls are not really free as such yet but you can use services like skype. For your regular use, a
paid subscription is normally required, but there are people whose
communication needs are not that bulky and for whom therefore free
services work just fine. Now, one way of calling unlimitedly anywhere
for free is to use software-based services over
the Internet and make sure that the callee is using the same service as
the caller, a condition which is most of the time inconvenient and
sometimes unrealizable. Here are some ways in which you can make calls
locally and internationally to any phone, fixed or mobile, worldwide for
free.
Skype Gateways:
- chan_celliax and skypiax
- SipToSis
- SiSky - Business Skype Solution
- Skype IVR and DTMF Recognition C# Example - Open Source
- Skype 2 SIP free Gateway
- iPPi.com Free Skype/Google Hangouts to SIP Gateway
Step 1.
Point your browser to
http://www.skype.com/.
Step 2.
Click on the “Get Skype” tab. You will be directed to the download
page. Under “On your computer,” click on the green link to download the
software application to your computer. You will be directed to another
page; click on the “Download now” button. Make sure you download the
software for the operating system you use.
Step 3.
The Skype file should automatically begin downloading. Once the file
has finished downloading, double-click on the icon. The first time you
start Skype, you will be asked to read and accept our End User
License Agreement. Click “Accept” only after you have read and
understood these terms.
Step 4.
Next, you’ll need to set up your Skype account. Each Skype user has a unique
Skype Name. Your name must be at
least six characters. Add the Skype Name you want and a password. If the
Skype Name is already taken by another user, you will be prompted to
enter a new Name. You can also provide an email address if you want.
This address will be used in case you forget your password. Follow the
directions and then Sign In for the first time.
Step 5.
To add contacts: Click on the Directory tab. Then
click the link “See friends who are already on Skype.” If your friends
are already on Skype, you’ll see them listed and a way to add them to
your contacts.
To add a specific person: Click on the Directory
tab, and then go to Find people. Click in the box and type the person’s
name, email address, or Skype name, then click Search. Skype will
perform a search for that person; if there are search results, you’ll
see a list. See if you can find the person you were looking for. If you
do, click on the contact name, then click Add contact. This opens a new
window that let’s you send a message to that person. Compose a quick
message and click OK to send it. If that person accepts your invitation,
he or she will show up in your Contacts list.
Tip!
What do the colored icons mean next to a Skype user’s name on your
contacts list? Green means the user is online. Yellow means that user is
online, but idle. Red means that user is online, but may be busy. Grey
means the user is offline.
Step 6.
To make a call: Click on the Contacts button at the
top of the Skype application. In your Contacts list, find the person you
want to call and and click on their name. In the main window, you will
see that person’s details. Click on the green call button to place a
call. You should hear ringing.
Tip!
Can’t hear the person on the other end of the call? Click on the Quality icon at the top of the call window.
Step 7.
Want to have
video with your call? You must have your webcam plugged in and on. Click on the green video call button to make a video call.
Step 8.
To end your call: Click on the red end call button.
Step 9.
To call someone on a mobile or landline phone, you will have to pay using the
Skype Credit debit system. Purchase credit on the site, and then place your calls.
Step 10.
To send an instant message: Go to your Contacts
list. Find the person you want to message and click on that user’s name.
In the main window, click in the typing box. Type a message and then
click the blue send button or press the Return key.
Tip!
Want to chat as a group? To add more users to your chat room, click “+ Add people” to add more people to the conversation.
