Irish Internet users can avail of free personal computer-to-telephone calls following the introduction of a new service here by a Chicago-based company.
Go2Call is offering the free service to Irish landline telephones from anywhere in the world and within Ireland.
Ireland-based callers can also use the service to call free to anywhere in the UK.
Offering mobile phone quality reception, people can access the service by registering through the Go2Call.ie website, entering the number they wish to call and hitting "go".
The company says there is no additional charge to the customer beyond the standard local call rate of Internet access.
The calling process is facilitated by Go2Call's Web-based technology which eliminates time-consuming software downloads or installations that most other service providers require.
To use the service callers need a Windows-based personal computer with a sound card, speakers and microphone or headset.
Mr Larry Spear, co-founder of Go2Call, says this is Go2Call's first push into Europe.
The service will be introduced in the UK today, and the company says it will offer free call access to two-thirds of the global Internet population within 12 months.
The technology used by Go2Call avoids costly interconnect charges, and Mr Spear says any call costs incurred will be offset by banner advertising on the site which will be seen by callers every time they go online to make a call.
The registration process asks for personal and lifestyle information which will be made available to advertisers.
But Mr Spear says the company has made individuals' privacy a priority, and if a user does not wish to receive unsolicited information, they have that option.
As the company increases its customer base, Go2Call plans to offer additional services, including PC-to-mobile phone calls which will be charged for, but at a cheaper rate than at present, and PC to PC calls.
Go2Call also plans to develop a business-to-business model where it will license its technology to big portal or customer relationship management companies which may wish to bundle it with their other services.
