VoIP
Voice over the internet. make phone calls, maybe at reduced rated than what your regular long distance can offer. how about a magic jack, fax service from packet8, and DSL without the phone service $48.64/mo? You don't get the phone company's phone book entry (name, address, phone number).
Magic Jack (USB 2.0), available at magicjack $20/yr, $40/1styear
USB 2.0 dongle with RJ-11 phone jack on the other end. Plug into USB 2.0 port, plug phone into it. Dongle is kind of wide and long for a USB device - but it comes with a short extender cable which I recommend you use it. They want you NOT to plug this device into a hub, but into a real USB 2.0 computer port. You will probably need to run magicfix off their web site to get it to work. you may save a lot of money on phone bills.
Tango Video Phone, available at packet8 $100
VoIP, uses your broadband modem and your phone. used by some hospitals.
VoIP (including FAX) services from packet8
residential or business. here's their equipment. Apparently these guys have faxing using a regular fax machine over VoIP down(!), because they offer $10/mo fax plan+HW to US/Canada. since it's only a 300 min. outgoing plan, I suggest you get an efax machine for $2000 if you are doing a lot of faxes. The bill goes up $5 after the first month.
Vonage $25/mo
a special Linksys router comes with the package.
VoIP systems & PBX for business, available from abptech
VAR
VoIP linking for Radio Amateurs (HAMs), available from ARRL
increasing numbers of radio amateurs are using the internet as a link between base stations...
Netgear Skype WiFi Phone, available from various
there are security problems (such as worms and hacking) with the skype protocol. Skype really only requires a PC headset. Like most VoIP, phone calls are free computer-to-computer, but costs money to dial an actual phone.
Skype (2.4¢/min to land-line in USA, free computer-to-computer )
there are security problems (such as malware) with Skype. Skype really only requires a PC headset. Like most VoIP, phone calls are free computer-to-computer, but costs money to dial an actual phone. there are also skype routers. 256-bit AES Encryption. Make sure you google skype security and check out some of the blogs!
Panasonic KX-WP1050 Wi-Fi Phone for Skype Executive Travel Set - Retail, available from newegg $280
for the road warrior. save money on those hotel phone calls. RJ45 WAN, LAN, USB ports. Wireless. Li-Ion battery. nice black travel case. The router has a switch marked Home and Hotel. Hotel: router plugs into the hotel Ethernet and can then be used as a wifi base for both the phone and for your PC. Home: router plugs either into a DSL modem or router and used as your primary wifi router across the house. review, specs. 3hr talk/72hr standby time on battery charge. WPA Wi-Fi encryption. 110-240V. 802.11b/g. LAN & WAN: 10/100Base TX.