Explain

How are they going to force people to *watch* the ad? What about the "initiate the call, go for a pee, come back in time to chat" approach?

April 1st? Oh yes?

Tell me again on April 2nd and I'll believe you.

if it's free, i'm not complaining. don't even mind paying if it's like Skype but with video calls too.

Probably wouldn't want it as your primary voice line in case you have a heart attack and have to sit through a minutes worth of adverts before being connected to the emergency services...

It could be a double bluff April Fool.

It really does work. I was just able to register and start using the service. Took all of 8 seconds to get working and be making a call.

So maybe, the joke is to make you believe that it's an April Fool.

You can't of course make a call to an email address. Although if that email address is registered to an account holder, it will call them. Otherwise it will send them an invite.

I give it six months before they start charging/go bust.

I see a lot about this written but it's silly, no one removes their landline when making internet calls via a PC! You don't relinquish access to your phone when you use MSN or Skype. I checked this out, it's cool as there is nothing to download to your system, it's all virtual.

".....no one removes their landline when making internet calls...."

I did. Not by choice, mind you, but since I'm not paying for something I don't want, I've left it this way.

I've deliberately left out the "via a PC" bit, cos I don't. Use a PC for VOIP I mean. No M$N of Skhype here, just standard SIP using a SIP-capable DSL router with a DECT base unit plugged into it. Just like having a "real" phone, but without that Pelican feeling*.

*Blackadder: "I feel like a Pelican. Everywhere I look, there's a huge bill in front of me."

right, turns out you can still use it now in a limited capacity until it launches (free mode). It wasn't clear before, basically this is a better version of skype with the option of having it free if you watch an ad - or you can pay and it's still cheaper than skype. all the pc to email calls are free, as is the messaging service anyway, it's only landline and mobile calls you pay for. this may be the only service that you can make 3g video calls from i think.

"no one removes their landline when making internet calls via a PC"

Most people on cable would be happy to, as they don't need a landline to get broadband. Different physical cable.

I'm on ADSL via a BT line however (because NTL/Virgin are utter crap but that's another issue), and I cannot have broadband without the line. Hence I don't get rid of the landline. If I could, and VoIP was reliable enough (it's not), then I would.

However, as I don't make international calls, and I have a landline that I have to pay for and calls within the UK are now practically free, I don't bother with VoIP. Though I'm not interested in calling from my PC anyway. Much prefer a separate handset without powering up a PC, though my mobile can VoIP anyway.

VoIP would be great on mobiles with WLAN, but it's just plain useless on most hotspots. At home it's fine, except for the battery drain using WLAN. Otherwise I'd again be happy to ditch the landline if I could.

But anyway, isn't the 999 issue being dealt with? i.e. requirement by regulators for VoIP operators to provide a 999 service ?

A reason for adverts! I find it perfectly acceptable to hand over personal data (i lie when filling in forms anyway) for a FREE server.

No problem, adverts to subsidise a service? No problem.

Adverts on a pay for service where there were no adverts before (*Cough* Phorm) no way.

Anyone remember LibertySurf in the UK? (plus other similar ISPs) £20 for a year of unlimite off-peak dialup with ad-banner on the screen, it was great.