Product Reviews

Voice-over IP (VoIP) technology is fast becoming the best way to get cheap phone calls. One of the latest vendors of VoIP technology is Freetalk, which is operated by the people behind Dixons and PC World. The Freetalk service consists of an Ethernet router that works with your broadband internet service.

Setting up the service with a Belkin Ethernet ADSL modem was quick and painless. Unlike other VoIP services, Freetalk doesn't need a special IP telephone. Instead, you just plug your existing phone into the supplied router. Call quality is indistinguishable from that

ADVERTISEMENT

of an ordinary landline. We found talking on the phone while downloading large files was possible without any appreciable loss in call quality or download speeds.

Call rates are competitive, with free calls to UK landlines and calls to US landlines and mobiles costing two pence a minute. Calls to Freetalk users all over the world are free but, as with other VoIP services, not to people on different VoIP networks.

Services such as caller ID, call forwarding, barring international calls and voicemail are provided free. You can also choose your area code when your first set up your Freetalk account. Certain features, such as having voicemail messages forwarded to your email account as an attachment, are not yet available, though. The web interface for managing your account features is clear and logical, but isn't as feature-packed as Vonage's service.

The downside is that Freetalk recommends you have another phone line, since 999 operators are unable to trace a Freetalk number in an emergency due to the nature of VoIP technology. Other than that, Freetalk is a great-value option if you make a lot of phone calls or just want another phone line.