For students going back to college or universities there is an alternative to cell phone family plans. The issue becomes important if the student is attnding school outside the US, for instance in Grenada or Oxford. The viable alternative is voice over the Internet. Before you think of Vonage or costs associated with your ISP's VoIP service you should think about free services. Free computer to computer calls are also called free SIP to SIP calls.
Here is how it works: Both of you get a free account from a provider like
Stanaphone. All calls between your phone numbers are free. You can also receive faxes as PDF's via
Stanaphone. Simple, is it not? See more at our websites, located at the following addresses:
FreeNet Calls (UK region)
Live Phone (Worldwide)
Even though your cell phone may offer roll over minutes, free night and weekend minutes, free calls to other cell phones on your network, and other perks, these advantages are negated by circumstance. Explore the power of SIP and VoIP. Used properly we receive international calls on our cell phone from England, the Soviet Union, the Greek Islands, Canada and more for about two (2) cents per minute. Cheaper than Power Net Global's 3.9 cent per minute rate and much cheaper than a satellite phone this is an option you should explore.
Any time you are hooked up to the Internet, either at home, the office, on a school or college network, on WiFi, or at a hotspot, your Stanaphone will ring. If your calls are forwarded to your cell phone (you must fund your account to do so) international callers, your family, and local callers will reach you anywhere, anytime. And if you miss a call or a fax you will receive the message or PDF by email, both rapidly and without fail.
Like a family plan without the cell phone, internet calls are a worldwide free family plan.
