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Yahoo launches Phone-in, Phone-out service using Messenger

Yahoo Inc. has launched a service that enables people to make phone calls using instant messaging software. The service will be initially available in the United States, the company said Tuesday.
Posted : Wed, 22 Mar 2006 06:10:00 GMT
Author : Ryan Jones
Category : Technology
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NEW YORK: Yahoo Inc. has launched a service that enables people to make phone calls using instant messaging software. The service will be initially available in the United States, the company said Tuesday.

Called 'Phone-in and Phone-out', calls using the system will have to be initiated from a personal computer and can be made to traditional landline phones and cellphones. Calls can also be received in the system from these phones. The system will require a headset and microphone. The subscribers will get a personal phone number for using the service.

Yahoo will charge $2.99 a month as subscription and 2 cents to make a local call. Calls can also be made using the system to some 180 countries, but per minute charges for such calls will, however vary. Incoming calls as well as PC-to-PC calls are free.

Yahoo's charges are lower by $1 per month compared to charges levied by internet telephone leader Skype, an eBay company, for its PC-to-phone service.

Yahoo's vice president Brad Garlinghouse said what is unique about Yahoo service is that it uses the Messenger and the Yahoo network. Garlinghouse said tests carried out in five countries received tremendous response for the service. The company has concluded arrangements with Plantronics, a maker of USB handsets, and Siemens AG for the headsets.

Microsoft is now understood to be testing a similar service, while America Online said its PC-to-Phone service will be available later this year.

Analysts say while the initial focus of such services will be on computer users, the entry of players like Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL indicates a major shift in the way telecommunications is handled. It will be a matter of months before such services are available on cordless and mobile phones, they said.

Copyright, respective author or news agency



Article : Yahoo launches Phone-in, Phone-out service using Messenger
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INQUIRY
By: JOCELYN G. PEROCHO , Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:59:33 GMT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,

i WOULD LIKE TO AVAIL FOR THE YAHO PHONE OUT PC- TO-MOBILE CALLS FOR CALLING NORWAY AND PHILIPINES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

jOCELYN


yahoo phone in & out
By: KYLE HAINES , Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:52:50 GMT

DO I NEED TO HAVE DSL OR BROADBAND TO USE THIS SERVICE? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
WARMLY, KYLE HAINES


Phone-out service
By: emmanuel y. ng iii , Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:08:11 GMT

When i updated to yahoo messenger version 9, my phone-out credits was gone. Can anybody help me on this.


about Phone-out service
By: Dinesh Dhungel , Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:54:46 GMT

I made a payment of $10.oo for phone-out service two weeks ago. I have been trying to use your service but unfortunately I am unable to call. Advise me how I can make a call and use the $10.00 before I purchage additional one. Thanks


PC to Mobile phone calls
By: Violy delos Reyes , Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:47:49 GMT

how can I make a mobile phone calles from my PC


cancel yahoo phone-in services
By: thomas turner , Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:56:34 GMT

I have tryed every method in command to discontinue yahoo phone-in services yet there is no way to discontinue this service, why is that?By all means, show the people who are similarly suited how to do this!



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