Today more and more people communicate with each other over the Internet with the help of VoIP technologies that replace phones little by little. Voice communication over the Net demands much fewer equipments. It works in a following way: the analog voice signal is converted to digital format and compressed into Internet protocol (IP) packets for transmission over the Internet. So it makes online calls much cheaper than usual phone calls. No doubts, everyone wants to save money so VoIP communication prospers very rapidly. Probably soon we can see telephones only in museums.

VoIP Software

VoIP Software Programs play an important role in the growing popularity of voice communication over the Net. They allow users to talk with each other either for absolutely free or for a very small payment with those phone subscribers who are calling from abroad. And they can make back calls to your computer. All you need is to connect headphones with microphone to your computer and download one of the VoIP Software Programs.

Skype

Skype is the most popular VoIP client. At the beginning of 2009 it has 440 million registered users. Among them 40 million people use Skype every day. This program can be installed into each computer or palmtop. Skype allows users to communicate both by voice and textual instant messaging. Voice chat allows both calling a single user and conference calling. What is more, Skype allows its users to receive calls on their computers dialed by regular phone subscribers to a local Skype phone number; local numbers are available for a few countries (you may find the whole list on the Skype web site). For example, a user in Washington could create a local telephone number in Tallinn. Callers from Tallinn would pay only local rates to call this number.

However Skype has some drawbacks. The program does not match with other VoIP clients. Skype receives calls made be regular phone subscribers only if its user has registered special number.

Gizmo

Gizmo is considered to be the main competitor to Skype. Each new user gets 0,25 US dollars on his\her balance account. You are certain to enjoy free voice e-mail (in Skype you have to pay for it 20 dollars a year). Despite some virtues Gizmo is inferior to Skype by some parameters. For example, the program cannot be installed into palmtops. But in general it is similar to Skype. The main toolbar contains organizer, call history and digital dial screen. Gizmo also receives calls made by regular phone subscribers registered in certain countries. But in contrast to Skype it will cost only 35 US dollars instead of 40 US dollars.

SIPNET

SIPNET is the first Russian VoIP software program. It was founded in 2005 and became very popular at once. It offers all the stock set: voice e-mail, answering device, audio conference, voice chats, and smart voice menu. Thus, SIPNET possesses the same devices and features as Skype and Gizmo. However it has some differences. It is the only service that allows adjusting call routing. In other words a user can choose a group of operators that offer best prices, communication and traffic spending. SIPNET also receives regular phone calls without any subscriptions. Your friends should only dial up your office phone number (there are about 60 office phone numbers in Russia and around the world) and then your unique SIP-number in a tone regime. You will be connected automatically.

Frankly speaking SIPNET doesn`t work ideal. For example, you may have problems if you are calling at a great distance.

Instant Messengers

The latest versions of the most popular instant messengers also allow their users to communicate over the Net not only by chatting but also by talking through headphones and microphones. For example, you may use voice and video chats proposed by such famous IM -nets as AIM, ISQ, Yahoo!Messenger and GoogleTalk.