The Phone Out service has been available in several other countries since last December. It enables users to make calls from the PC IM client for 2 cents a minute or less. Users also can place VoIP calls from their PCs to traditional phones at varying rates.
Yahoo Messenger with Voice rates average 20% to 30% lower than that of rival Skype Technologies SA’s to many overseas markets, according to Yahoo.
Also, Yahoo’s Phone In service means users can receive calls at their PC from traditional and mobile phones for $2.99 a month or $29.90 a year.
The new services also will be rolled out on Yahoo’s co-branded Internet access services, including AT&T Yahoo High Speed Internet, in coming months, Yahoo said.