Making a VOIP Call: Part 2 -- Connecting PSTN and VOIP

The next step after computer-to-computer telephony at your fingertips is being able to call regular landline or cellular phones from your computer. Usually, the same software package that allows you to make PC-to-PC calls also allows you to call a phone on regular network at a small charge.

Before making this type of call, you need to deposit a credit balance on your account. Most VOIP companies allow you to add credit with your credit card or through a payment system like PayPal.  

There are a couple of ways to dial the number for a landline or cellular phone call from your computer. Software like Skype and Gizmo provide on-screen keypads that you can use with a mouse. You can also use the keypad on your computer keyboard or Internet phone. Don't forget to include the area code or country code if you're calling long distance.

A 'gateway' makes the connection between the Internet and PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). Because gateways can be situated locally, the costs associated with long-distance phone calls are minimized. In fact, the cost may be the same whether you are calling locally or across the globe.

Gateways have been used for quite a number of years to provide low-cost long-distance calls. You may belong to a plan that offers tremendous savings over the long-distance rates of your local phone company. Companies that offer these low long-distance rates are using Internet telephony. Because their costs are so much lower, they can pass the savings on to the consumer. By making computer-to-telephone calls, you are using the same technology as these long-distance phone companies.

Computer-to-telephone is fine for making outgoing calls, but what do you do if you want to receive calls at your computer? Once again, the latest technology has the answer.

Some VOIP companies can provide you with an incoming phone number in a particular city. When someone dials that number, the call will be routed to your location, no matter where in the world you are. The cost of the call is the same as a regular call to the city your number is located in.

As an example, if your incoming telephone number is based in New York City and your friend calls you from New York, it will be treated as a local call even if you are in Hong Kong at the time. However, somebody calling from Los Angeles will have to pay the long-distance charges that apply to any regular call from Los Angeles to New York.

These local phone numbers are available in a number of cities in North America and also in Europe and Asia, depending on the VOIP provider. It makes sense to choose a local location from which most of your incoming calls are originating to allow people to call you at a minimum expense.

You can receive calls anywhere in the world where a broadband Internet connection is available. Simply log in to your account to make and receive calls from your laptop or an Internet cafe using a headset or Internet telephone. Some VOIP software even allows you to use a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) as a telephone.