Traveling this Summer? Technology Can Help You Keep in Touch
(ARA) – Summer is synonymous with travel -- kids are out of school, work slows down and people take off for destinations far and near. But even when you’re exploring a new city, or even a new country, you need to be in touch with friends, family and business associates back home.
That’s not always as easy as it sounds, especially if you’re traveling overseas, where U.S. cell phones may not work. And if they do, your next phone bill will be a lot bigger. Here’s a solution you may not have heard of -- yet.
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice, one of the most popular instant messaging services on the Internet, now offers enhanced PC-based calling capabilities that let you make and receive affordable calls using your computer.
“Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is what makes it all possible. It’s an easy, affordable way to make phone calls from any computer with an Internet connection,” says Jeff Bonforte, senior director of Yahoo! Messenger.
Don’t let the technology behind the service intimidate you. It’s easy to use. If you can send an e-mail or instant message, you can make Web-based calls just as easily.”
Simply put, VoIP is a family of technologies that enable voice communications over the Internet. It’s an easy, affordable way to make phone calls from any computer with an Internet connection. Don’t let the technology behind the service intimidate you. It’s easy to use. If you can send an e-mail or instant message, you can make PC-based calls just as easily.
The “Phone Out” option lets people in the United States make calls from their computer to traditional or mobile phones to more than 180 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Calls within the United States and to more than 30 countries can be made for 2 cents a minute or less; rates for other countries will vary.
The “Phone In” feature lets users receive calls on their PC from traditional and mobile phones for $2.99 a month or $29.90 a year. “Phone In gives people a virtual presence in their city of choice,” explains Jeff Bonforte, senior director of Yahoo! Messenger “You can choose a local number, so wherever you go, your phone number will follow you. Better yet, friends and family calling you from within that area code pay local rates.”
For example, say you live in Chicago and your daughter is traveling abroad this summer; your daughter can sign-up for a local Phone In number within your Chicago area code. You can then make a local call to her regardless of where she is located abroad. Additionally, if you live in Chicago but do lots of business in London, you can use the Phone Out service to make low cost calls to London for just one cent a minute
Both Phone In and Phone Out feature free voicemail. If you miss a call, whether from a PC, traditional phone or mobile phone, you can easily retrieve the message at no additional cost.
PC-based voice calling is both easy and affordable. It’s great for business travelers who may visit various cities or countries but who need constant, reliable contact with the office. If you travel frequently for pleasure, the service lets family members know they can always find you, wherever you may roam. And it’s perfect if you have family and friends spread out around the world. You get to keep in touch and save money.
For more information about Yahoo! Messenger with Voice visit: http://voice.messenger.yahoo.com
Courtesy of ARA Content
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