# PC to Phone

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-phone/217683>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 8, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-phone/217683 "2003-12-08T03:51:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-phone/217683/1 "2003-12-08T03:51:18Z")

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How do I setup my PC so I can make phone calls over the net? What software do I need?  
Do I need special hardware?

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**Author:** ![Baraqiyal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@Baraqiyal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baraqiyal)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-phone/217683/2 "2003-12-08T04:00:30Z")

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Here’s a list of providers:

[http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,6630976~root=voip~mode=flat](http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,6630976~root=voip~mode=flat)

You don’t need special hardware other than a microphone and headphones but you’ll be happiest with a USB handset, such as a Yapphone.

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**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-phone/217683/3 "2003-12-08T18:19:03Z")

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Go to [http://www.dialpad.com](http://www.dialpad.com) or [http://www.net2phone.com](http://www.net2phone.com)

You don’t need any special hardware. Your PC mic and speakers are enough. You could, if you like, use special handsets as **Baraqiyal** mentions.

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**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-phone/217683/4 "2003-12-08T18:28:29Z")

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Here’s another provider:

[http://www.vipernetworks.com/](http://www.vipernetworks.com/)

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**Author:** ![robcaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-to-phone/217683/5 "2003-12-08T21:53:31Z")

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I use BestNetCall. You dial a number, then your phone rings. You pick up and then the number you dialed rings.

```
     PC-----&gt;Your phone&lt;----------------------&gt;dialed phone

```

You only talk on the phone, not through the computer.

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>
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