U.S. Robotics' first foray into VoIP is a good one. The USB Internet Phone provides a great way to call friends, family and colleagues over the Internet for free. And as the bundled Skype service improves, you will get better connection quality and features at a fraction of the cost of a normal phone line. If you frequently speak to colleagues in other parts of the world, or you simply want to talk with loved ones or relatives for longer and for less cost, this solution should satisfy your needs without breaking the bank. Having said that, you should bear in mind that the phone is relatively basic in terms of design and features, and it requires you to be permanently hooked up to your computer's USB port. There are more powerful VoIP phones available, but if your needs are relatively simple and you're looking for a low-cost entry into VoIP, the USB Internet Phone is a good choice.

Pros: Compact; good quality voice calls; works well with Skype
Cons: Basic build quality and features; tethered by USB cable


U.S. Robotics has entered the $493 million Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) market. Its entry into the market will be strengthened by three new products, including a VoIP telephone handset, USB speaker phone (reviewed here) and a 4-port wireless router with two VoIP phone ports. All products are available now.

VoIP, or Internet telephony, is a category of hardware and software that enables you to use the Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls. For those who have free, or fixed-price Internet access, Internet telephony software essentially provides free telephone calls anywhere in the world. To date, however, Internet telephony does not offer the same quality of telephone service as direct telephone connections.

Although VoIP is still in its infancy, the technology is the next logical step for networking companies. This is especially true as more and more consumers and business users are continually looking to make their wireless and Internet-dependent lifestyles easier and more productive. VoIP also allows you to optimise your investment in broadband Internet connectivity by bringing new technology into your home and business, and is getting closer to making voice communications as simple and comfortable as traditional telephone calling.

Designed to work with Skype (included on installation CD-ROM)) and other Instant Message (IM) services with voice capabilities, the USB Internet Phone lets you make free calls around the world using your PC and Broadband Internet connection. It also sports features like echo cancellation and noise reduction to help assure traditional telephone call quality and an LCD screen that supports Caller ID.

The best thing about the phone (like any other VoIP handset) is that you can talk to fellow VoIP owners and Skype users for absolutely nothing, which is great if you've got colleagues, friends and relatives strewn across the globe who are also technically minded. If someone calls you, the phone will ring. Once you've picked it up it will then launch the software, just as dialling the number on the phone controls the software on screen.

The phone itself is somewhat of a disappointment, especially as super-stylish DECT models are starting to appear. Its wholly-plastic grey enclosure feels low-cost, and the silver buttons don't really provide a reassuring response. As a result, it's difficult to know whether you've actually input a number unless you look at the LCD monitor. The fact that it's USB based also means that it needs to be connected to your laptop or desktop computer when being used, so you can't make calls walking around your home or office. At least it's quite small and doesn't take up much desk space.

Controls on the handset are relatively basic. There are left and right buttons to switch between the tabs of the Skype software, a Send button (green phone icon) to place a call, End button (red phone icon) to end calls, Up and Down buttons to scroll through your contact entries and calls in Skype, 0-9 numbers to enter a telephone number or to enter a speed dial entry, and a Clear button to remove any numbers you have entered for a call.

You can also press the '#' button repeatedly to cycle through the various pre-installed ringtones. The keypad functions of the USB phone only work with Skype, although the USB phone audio sound drivers are compatible with most Internet-based voice communication applications. The handset itself doesn't incorporate a speakerphone, which is a pity, but there is an additional sound channel that can be used as a speaker/microphone for any soft phone application.

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