Free Internet Phone?

[gyromind]

There used to be a multitude of programs that would allow you to call telephone numbers via the internet for free -- local and long distance. Now that it's big business, no one offers this service for free anymore? Why is this?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Cost $$ to go from Internet to telco system.

Who will cover the cost?

 

[gyromind]

Do you know the logistics involved? It seems odd to me that it somehow didn't cost money before, when there were plenty of programs that could do it for free.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Startups found that it that the revenue stream was not enough to cover the costs.

Also, the telcos did not like getting cut out of long distance profits.

 

[rh71]

^ that's correct... the revenue from ads wasn't enough to cover.

BTW, anyone remember the alladvantage browser bar ?

 

[CSMR]

Even if you pay there doesn't seem to be a good option. MSN used to have a phone service in collaboration with various companies and now it's gone. I have Callserve installed but its software is truly the worst software I have ever used, making it very difficult to make a simple phone call. Other services have sound quality issues.