Majic Jack

I recommend this product, majic jack, which is an intermediate step between VOIP and internet chat. Technically it is a jack, to be plugged into your computer USB. Any telephone can be plugged into the other end of the jack and used. One great feature is that it autoloads the drivers necessary from the jack itself, so you just have to wait for 5 minutes on a computer with internet connection, and you are ready to go.

It is comparable to traditional VOIP for reasons:

1. You get a US based number

2. Caller ID, Answering Machine, etc.

3. Portable: connect to any computer, anywhere and still use the same number.

However it differs from VOIP in sense:

1. It needs to be plugged into a computer, which means the computer should be ON while using it.

2. Technically its a phone, but practically the computer cannot be ON 24 hrs, so thats a downside. However you can go online and check the messages you missed.

Cost: $20 per year which is lowest possible VOIP connection.

Verdict: I bought one for my mother in India. She uses airtel connection and the connection and call quality is brilliant. I think its a cheap, alternate way to connect to India or other international locations.

the end.