Computer to Computer

This is the simplest and cheapest way to use VoIP. You download a program such as Skype and get your friends to download it as well. Equip your computer with a Skype headset, or webcam and you can then talk to your friends or far-away family all day and night long for nothing. Skype also have a service where you can use your Skype phone to call landlines and mobiles very cheaply, saving you lots of money off your normal bills.

Get started by downloading SKYPE for free today!

ATA

ATA or Analog Telephone Adaptor, is the most common way of using VoIP. This adaptor actually allows you to hook up the phone that is already in your house to your computer, and then your Internet connection. How it works is it converts the analog signals your phone sends out into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. Setting up this system is really easy, even if you have no technical know-how.

All you need to do is order an ATA , plug the cable from your phone which would normally go into the wall socket into the ATA, and then the ATA gets plugged into your computer, which is connected to the internet. Some ATAs include software that has to be installed on your computer before its ready, but basically it's quite a simple process. Then you are ready to make some calls.

For more information on this method check out Phone Gnome here.

IP Phones

The next type of VoIP usage utilizes IP Phones instead of your home phone. The IP Phone looks just like a normal phone, with all the same buttons and cradle, the only difference is that instead of having a normal wall jack connector, it has an Ethernet connector. This means, that instead of plugging in your IP phone to the wall jack like you would with a regular analog phone, it gets plugged directly into your router.

This option allows you to circumvent your personal computer, and it also means that you will not have to install any software, because its all built in to the handset. In addition, the fact that Wi-Fi IP phones are also available, which allow subscribing callers to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot, make this option well worth looking into.

Via Talk is one of the best and , more importantly, the cheapest IP phone providers out there. Check out their site here.