Question:
I have heard something about voice over Internet telephone systems? Can you explain them to me and tell me which is the best service? Is there a reasonable way we can talk to our daughter when she is doing her junior year abroad program in the Congo?Answer:
Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet or through any other IP-based network. This system takes analog audio signals, like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone, and turns them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. This means you can use a standard Internet connection to use free phone calls.
Skype is an example of VoIP and would be a simple solution for you to use to communicate with your daughter while she is overseas. You can go to Skype.com and download their free software. Your daughter can do the same. Calls to other people on Skype are free. If you don't already have a microphone for your computer, you'll need to purchase one. An effective microphone can be purchased for as little as $9.00. You'll also need speakers, but most computers come with speakers these days. If you don't have speakers, you can buy a headset instead of a microphone which will serve as a speaker as well as a microphone.