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The VoIP Players

Pricing of Internet phones services varies, but virtually every provider offers an unlimited domestic dialing plan that provides a nice point of comparison. Here's a look at some of the best-known VoIP services.

AT&T CallVantage
$29.99 a month
Plan: Unlimited
A safe VoIP choice, AT&T gave Internet phone services instant credibility when it jumped onto the scene. Prices are a bit high, but users rave about the quality of service. AT&T no longer markets traditional consumer phone services, so its commitment to VoIP seems real.

Broadvoice
$19.95 a month
Plan: Unlimited World Plan
Just another VoIP pure-play? Sure, but Broadvoice has been at it for awhile, and the company offers one of the best international dialing plans around.

Broadvox Direct
$19.95 a month
Plan: Residential Unlimited
This provider is operated by an IP network services company, giving it a bit more heft than other, bargain-minded services competing at the $20-per-month level.

Lingo
$19.95 a month
Plan: Unlimited Plan
A newcomer, Lingo has made a splash with its innovative services. The price is right too.

Packet 8
$19.95 a month
Plan: Freedom Unlimited
One of the pioneers in consumer Internet phone services. Despite solid underlying technology, the company hasn't marketed itself as aggressively as fellow front-runner Vonage. Parent company 8x8 has been in digital video conferencing and communications for years.

Verizon VoiceWing
$34.95 a month
Plan:VoiceWing
With the highest pricing of any major VoIP player and a me-too set of features, VoiceWing looks most attractive for conservative adopters and Verizon DSL subscribers.

Voiceglo $29.99 a month
Plan: Home
Unlimited VoIP pure play offers superior per-minute rates on international dialing.

VoicePulse
$34.99 a month
Plan: America Unlimited
At $34.99 the service is pricier than most, but a $24.99-per-month one-year promotion brings the price in line with most others.

Vonage Digital Voice
$24.95 per month
Plan: Unlimited
The company that pushed VoIP over the top, Vonage offers a compelling blend of low cost, reasonable features, and excellent nationwide coverage. This fast-growing service has suffered glitches in the past, which should give adopters cause to think.