How to call a Phone from Internet - Using Java

Hi...,

Earlier during circa 2000 AD, I used to down-load a software using which I can make calls ( Both long distance and Local) to plain-old-Telephones.

Due to government regulation, this free software is no-longer available, now-a-days some companies offer the same service for a price.

I am wondering if it is possible for me to make a call to a phone by writing a Java program.

Do I need to install any special software at my phone for converting packets to analog format.

Also I am wondering how the earlier software was able to make such calls without installing any hardware or software at the POT (end)

I don't think that's a feature of the kind of client you have (written in Java or otherwise) - it's a feature of the network you're using, which needs to support dialing out. Since someone needs to pay for it, I think it's unlikely that you'll get this functionality for free nowadays. But Skype-Out is fairly inexpensive.

Hi Ulf,

Thanks for the quick reply,

I am wondering is it possible for me to Install any hardware or Software (J2ME) on my POT/Cellular) so that the phone is able to receive packets from my Computer.

As the telephone is also connected to the network, I wonder is it anyway possible to ping the phone from a computer.

As my knowledge in networking is poor, I would be glad if anyone can shed more light on these concepts.