Microsoft and MCI Jump Into PC-to-PSTN VoIP Fray

Microsoft and MCI will next year begin offering a service that allows users to make cheap VoIP calls from PCs to the public telephone network. The service is currently in beta testing in the U.S.

The service, called MCI Web Calling, will use an upcoming version of Microsoft's messaging product called Windows Live Messenger. Users will be able to subscribe to the service via the messaging client, purchasing prepaid calling time in $5, $10, or $25 increments.