The Internet is Phonedamental

Dialpad is a service offering free phone calls from computers connected to the web to phones across the country. The technology uses a Java-based program and a special version of a protocol known as H.323 to send the call via the Internet and the phone system to its destination. Dialpad is just the latest example of companies implementing technologies in a broad category known as IP telephony that promises to change the nature of phone service.

Although the site has advertising, there is the suggestion it may one day start charging. It also seels to corporate clients. Its web site explains, "The company believes that establishing first mover advantage in the free Internet telephony space will help ensure long lasting brand loyalty and user identification."

Competitors to Dialpad charge money, although they offer initial free trial minutes. They include Net2Phone, WebPhone, and DeltaThree.

Students interested in these services but who seek the privacy and convenience that traditional cordless phones offer can take advantage of products from QuickNet and Andrea Electronics, which allow phone products to connect to a computer's sound system.

Another intriguing new service if Internet Party Line, a service from IP Telephony conference company Pulver.com which allows users on the web or dialing into a Long Island phone number to engage in conference calls.