I use SKYPE to make unlimited phone calls within the united states paying $2.99 a month. I've also given the same skype user id and pw to my parents now they can call me from nepal direct to my cellphone. you dont have to be in front of computer, its cheap , convinent and perfect with all those loadshedding schedules as they can call me anytime just logging to my skype A/c( direct to my cell phone) and it works as a local call.