Is the call feature in GMail truly 100% Free?

[catilley1092]

I was looking at the features of GMail today, and noticed that they have free calls in the US & Canada with a GMail account. So I decided to give it a shot. I signed up for a free email account, not the program, just the browser based email service.

That phone service worked like a charm!

Now, my question. Are these calls really free? Someone has to be paying for the service, and I just don't see Google handing out a ton of goodies for nothing in return.

Cat

 

[Joseph F]

Awesome! I didn't know that they offered this service. I'll try it out sometime, I suppose.

 

[atreader]

They were supposed to charge (competitive to Skype) for it this year, but extended the free service for one more year.

 

[wirednuts]

itll be hard to get me to switch from skype. great quality of service, and they do a good job at keeping prices down (basically its $60 a year for a landline, unlimited use). and its better then a landline because its accessible from any net connected device...

i dont use it much though since i have a cell phone, but its REALLY nice to tell all of the utility companies and other services that i pay for to call that skype number for numerous reasons. they dont clog up my cell with bullshit weird calls, and i can even block them easily if i need to (comcast cable sales people).