Article: Free Conference Calls
What is a free conference call?
A free conference call, also known as a group call or teleconference, is a telephone call that takes place between two or more speakers and listeners.
Conference calling is particularly helpful when information needs to be shared with larger groups of people. Handy for businesses, families, social clubs and groups, conference calls are an easy and flexible way to communicate with other people.
Conference calls can be made on a normal telephone. Most telecommunications companies offer packages with discounted rates for conference call services.
Today, however, more people are turning to free internet software to make their conference calls, allowing them to not only speak to groups of people, but share files, send instant messages and have video conversations.
How do conference calls work?
If you are using a phone, depending upon your telecommunications operator, you can make an initial phone call to another person. Other participants can then join the call by dialling a special phone number.
If you are using the internet, depending upon the software you are using, you can enter the usernames, identification numbers or email addresses of the people you want to contact. Other participants can join the call in a similar manner.
Internet conference calls
When you make a free conference call over the internet, this uses technology called Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VoIP works like a regular telephone, except you don’t need an extra line in your house as the call takes place over the internet.
All you need to make internet conference calls is a computer, the internet and the software. The most popular software Skype, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger and Windows Live Messenger, is free and easy to download. Internet conference calls are growing in popularity because of its versatility. Participants can not only speak to one another but see each other through video links, share files and instant message each other.
Who makes free conference calls?
Conference calls allow multiple people to talk to each other at the same time. If you have information that needs to be shared between a group of people, conference calling is a flexible alternative to traditional phone calls or emailing.
Businesses use conference calls to communicate with staff and clients. Meetings, presentations, discussions and training sessions can be held over conference calls. It is particularly useful for small businesses as staff members can contact clients without leaving the office, cutting travel time and expense significantly.
Families can make conference calls to keep in touch or plan family events, such as reunions. Social groups and sporting clubs also make conference calls for general meetings, discussions, planning and sharing news. This is especially helpful when family members live in different cities or countries. The hardest part is working out the time difference so that everyone can be in the chat at the same time.
With technology making internet conference calls clearer, more reliable and cheaper than regular telephone conferencing, keeping in contact with clients, friends and family is becoming easier by the day.