Other Broadband Phone Companies

Besides Skype, there are many other companies that allow you to make cheap internet phone calls to regular phone lines. Unlike Skype, you will not need to use your computer to make internet phone calls. These broadband phone service providers will usually install a box in your home that will allow you to plug in a regular phone. Their box will plug into your broadband internet connection and they take care of the rest.

You will have a normal phone number (in most cases you can keep your exisitng phone number), the phone will ring when people call you, you will be able to make calls as you did before, but everything will be going over the internet. This just makes things much cheaper for you, but the phone still looks and works the same. Most of these companies are not charging per minute, like Skype, but rather have a monthly deal that offers unlimited national calls. All international calls are charged at a very low rate as well.

Many people prefer to go with a broadband phone company instead of Skype because it's like a regular phone line. Your computer doesn't need to be on and you don't need to run any programs. You just plug in your regular phone and it works.

All the major telecommunication companies are offering broadband phone service, but there are many smaller companies offering better prices for the same service.

In the US it's worth looking at Vonage, SunRocket, Lingo and Packet8, as well as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon. Companies like Comcast are offering large discounts if you get cable, broadband and your phone with them. They all offer unlimited national long distance. Click here to see our broadband phone comparison for the US.

In the UK, it's worth looking at Vonage, Tucan, onetel, Wanadoo, Pipex, as well as BT and Telewest. Companies like Telewest are offering package deals with cable TV, broadband and phone.