New technologies enable long distance via Internet

Perhaps the latest buzzword on the Internet is Internet telephony, the ability to make phone calls across the Internet.What’s the point, some might wonder? What’s wrong with the regular telephone system? Well, as it stands today, it costs a lot less money to make a long-distance or international phone call over the Internet than using your regular telephone.
Internet telephony does not require a special telephone that hooks into your computer. In most cases, if you have a direct Internet connection (PPP or SLIP account), a microphone, sound capabilities, and a fast enough modem (at least 14.4 bps), all…