Is there a way to make free PC to phone calls?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of making free PC to phone (landline) calls, exploring existing technologies and future developments in VoIP and telecommunications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about programs that allow free PC to phone calls, noting that existing solutions like Skype charge for such calls.
  • Another participant asserts that free PC to phone calls are not possible due to costs associated with connecting to the PSTN.
  • A participant mentions an upcoming Cisco product that may impact the telecommunications industry, suggesting that VoIP could lead to reduced prices for voice calls in the future.
  • There is a claim regarding Cisco's product being able to identify packet types for charging purposes, which is met with a request for a source to verify this information.
  • One participant references a source discussing VoIP standards, indicating that the technology is well-documented.
  • Another participant attempts to recall where they heard about Cisco's product, suggesting it was mentioned in a recent tech podcast.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of making free PC to phone calls, with some asserting that it is not possible while others discuss future developments that may influence pricing in the telecommunications sector.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the specifics of Cisco's upcoming product and its implications, as well as the reliability of the sources cited by participants.

ranger
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Is there any program that will allow me to make free PC to phone (land line) calls? I know that programs like skype allow for free PC to PC calls, but I think they charge for PC to Phone calls.

--thank you.
 
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Short answer NO...

You will have to pay as soon as your voice paths hit the PSTN.. But Cisco will be unveiling somthing that John Chambers has said will rock the telco world on March 7.

This is not to say that we will stop paying for voice calls, but in the not to distance future, teleco's (including mobile carriers) will have to reduce prices as VoIP shakes up the Teleco world mobile or fixed...
 
Cisco is releasing a product that will be able to identify the type of packets that it is routing so that phone companies can charge more for those packets that are carrying voip.
 
Cisco is releasing a product that will be able to identify the type of packets that it is routing so that phone companies can charge more for those packets that are carrying voip.

How do you know that? Interesting- Give us a source :)

(To be honest, this isn't Earth moving, VoIP uses standard RFC's such as SIP which are well documented)http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/
 
Last edited:
Anttech said:
How do you know that? Interesting- Give us a source :)

(To be honest, this isn't Earth moving, VoIP uses standard RFC's such as SIP which are well documented)


http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/

It was on the latest TWiT, or last week on one of the Buzz Out Loud episodes... I cannot recall which... I think it was TWiT though.
 

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