First is Skype, of course. Who has not heard of Skype? The Skype client on the Mac lags behind the Windows version by a few features but overall, its basic functionality is more than enough for your usual voice calls. Whilst Skype uses its own peer-to-peer technology to transfer voice packets, it provides a facility to interface to plain old telephone systems (POTS). To call land-lines and mobile phones, you need to purchase call credits called SkypeOut credits. If you want people to be able to call you from their land-lines and mobile phones, you need to subscribe to the SkypeIn service (IN for incoming calls). Skype-to-skype calls, of course, are free.

The Skype service is rapidly expanding with manufacturers such as Netgear, Belkin, Linksys and SMC releasing devices that do not require you to be tethered to your computer. These devices work like your cordless phone or even better, like your mobile phone. The catch is you need to have wifi access to be able to connect to the Skype network.

My personal experience with Skype is superb. The quality is excellent even with the quality of the broadband services available in the country. The SkypeOut service is priced reasonably, at least they’re cheaper than using your land-line phones even with the "low" advertised prices you see in print or tv commercials. Skype-cast (audio broadcast), conference calls and now SMS-sending are free add- on to the service, something that are not available from your local telcos.

The next VoIP application is from SIPPhone.com called the GizmoProject (also <http://http://gizmoproject.com). Like Skype, Gizmo provides the same calling features as Skype, i.e. you can call Gizmo-to-Gizmo calls for free, Gizmo Call Out subscription for outgoing calls outside the Gizmo network and Gizmo Call In for incoming calls from outside the network. Unlike Skype, Gizmo uses SIP, an open standard protocol.

With SIP support, the GizmoProject supports connecting to other SIP- based networks. For instance, I use GizmoProject to connect to UP’s VoIP network so I can call local extensions as if I was within the network. In addition, it allows me to call academic institutions in the US such as UC Berkeley, MIT and Stanford for free! Yes, no need to buy Gizmo Call Out credits.

GizmoProject is currently running a promo that allows active members to call other active member’s alternate phone numbers, within and outside the Gizmo network, for free. Yes, all you need to do is register, use Gizmo regularly and ask your friends and family to do the same thing. Once considered as active, you can call your friend’s or family’s land-line or mobile phone for free! Unfortunately, support for calling numbers outside the Gizmo network is not available locally but hey, it is supported in the US so you can call your friends and relatives in the US for free. Again, no need to buy Gizmo Call Out credits.

In addition to these features, Gizmo recently released the GizmoCall service. GizmoCall (<http://gizmocall.com) is a browser-based VoIP client that runs on Mac OS X and Windows. (Linux support to follow) It only requires Flash 9 and the Flash plug-in installed. From there, you can call any number, anywhere.

At the moment, GizmoCall provides a free 5-minute call credit for guests and up to 10-minute free call credit for registered members. Again, this is free and is standards-compliant, i.e. you can call other SIP numbers using the same browser-based client.

My take on GizmoProject - overall, it is at par or even better than Skype (due to its standards compliance). Voice quality is the same as Skype. Call Out and Call In rates are competitive as Skype’s (read: cheaper than local telcos). Just one complaint, though, the GizmoCall plug-in sometimes eats up up to 98% of my CPU power - but that is ok, it only needs to be killed and re-launched (without rebooting the machine).

So there, two options for you to call your friends and family overseas - either for free or for a few pennies. Why pay more if you can get it for less, right?

Until next week, cya!