More Bang for Your Buck: Cyber-Calling

(WSVN) -- Get a load of this: Americans spend $250 million on their phone service.

But if you want to dial into better savings, the internet offers a calling plan unlike any other.

Betsy Palmer from AT&T says, "Voiceover Internet will give you control over your computer and your telephone unlike anything you've seen."

That technology works by connecting your phone to the computer.

This way your voice becomes digital data, and, just like an email, what you say is sent through cyber space.

"We anticipate that over the next ten years, voice-over-the-internet will be how the world communicates," says Palmer.

And talk about savings.

With the internet, your phone bills could be cut in half.

Scott Barnett sees a difference.

"I've saved thousands of dollars in long-distance calling," he says.

He calls his family all the time in Costa Rica.

Now, his bills have gone from hundreds of dollars a month to under 50 dollars a month.

"This system has a lot of advantages," he says.

Those advantages typically include free caller I.D., voicemail and call forwarding.

Plus you can take the phone system with you anywhere in the world.

"Connect it to a broadband connection, and that's your phone line," Scott explains.

Scott is using a system called Vonage.

But soon, customers will have plenty of choices.

Both AT&T and Time Warner will be offering their services in the very near future.

"This is just an incredible opportunity for consumers," says Scott.

Now, the person you're calling doesn't need any special equipment, just a regular telephone.

It will ring just like any other call.

contact: bcanals@wsvn.com