Is it possible to make a voice telephone call through an Internet connection

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A. Yes it is if you have a telephone handset that connects to a USB port.

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Q. How would this work

A. A company called Callserve launched the first Internet handset - the XP phone - into the UK market in June 2001. Its system works by connecting a handset to the USB (universal serial bus) port to obtain an outside line - in the same way your PC dials up a server to provide you with an Internet connection.

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When you dial in your call will be connected to the Callserve data centre, it verifies your call and once it has the full destination telephone number it makes contact via the local H.323 gatekeeper/gateway to your destination. The distant gateway then connects to the number that has been requested by dialling across the public switch telephone network (PSTN). It can connect to either a landline or a mobile.

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This may all sound like a very laboured process, but it is as quick as dialling up the Internet i.e. takes slightly longer than direct dialling but not significantly so.

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Q. What is the benefit of making phone calls over an Internet line

A. Calls are usually cheaper. Callserve's rates are very low (especially for international calls, they vary depending on your destination, but when compared with BT international rates you can make significant savings. For example, calls to the US and most European destinations cost 2 units (or 2 pence) per minute. BT charges 29p per minute for Europe and 24p per minute to the US during normal peak time.

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Q. How much does it cost to buy Callserve's service

A. It will cost you �29.95 for the XP phone handset, once you become a registered user - becoming a registered user means that you purchase pre-paid call time at the same time (�10 will buy you 1000 credit units etc.). If you don't become a registered user and just want the handset it will cost you �49.95.

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Q. How do I get the service up and running once I've bought the handset

A. Once you receive your handset, you just go to the Callserve website at www.callserve.com and download the connection software, which takes about ten minutes to download and off you go. You can keep tabs on how much you've spent on this website too, and buy more credits if you need to.

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Q. It sounds too good to be true, there must be a catch

A. There isn't a catch in the product itself, but just as your PC can time-out when it is connected to the Internet, so can your telephone call - but if your Internet connection is usually stable this shouldn't be a problem. There can also be a slight time delay in your call as it is re-routed.

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Q. What would I need on my PC to run the Callserve software

A. Your PC should have one of the following operating systems: Windows 98SE, Windows 2000 or Windows ME and a USB port. In addition, your PC should be a Pentium II 266MHz processor (or higher), with 32MB of memory.

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Q. Would the recipient of my call have to have a similar connection to receive my call via the Internet

A. No, you can make your call to an ordinary telephone line (or a mobile) and the person you're talking to shouldn't know the difference.

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Q. What does the XP phone look like

A. It is made of ABS plastic and is transparent blue - similar in shade and texture to an iMac computer - with a green LED USB power indicator. It is attached to the USB port via a seven-foot, strain relieved, USB cable. The system includes a handset cradle that can be attached to a convenient surface (e.g. your PC monitor) with adhesive strips.

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By Karen Anderson