After Skype has recently made the headlines with its release of the SkypeIn service, which allows Skype users on any computer platform to receive phone calls from any standard telephone line, a new tool challenges this latest feature, with an impressive PC-based offering where, those who call you on your PC, do not need to pay for the call.

Teleo is a new Internet service that allows seamless calls between normal telephones and your PC.

The Teleo software is much like Skype and it integrates with Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, and other applications to allow direct, contextual access to phone calls from any of the most popular PC apps.

Teleo allows you to place PC-to-PC calls to other Teleo users anywhere in the world for free, even over wi-fi connections and behind firewalls. Calls to your computer from regular telephones are also completely free.

Teleo service plans include the Teleo Phone, free PC-to-PC calling worldwide, pre-paid calls to regular telephones anywhere in the world for 2¢ per minute (except some cell phones outside the U.S.), crystal clear call quality, secure calling, call forwarding, call conferencing, integration with Outlook and IE, and online account management tools.

In addition, Teleo gives your PC an inbound phone number so people can call your desktop directly. The more economical Teleo Lite plan, only allows inbound calls from other PCs and not from regular telephones.

Teleo supports also conferencing calls with multiple people. You can mix into the conference call people on regular telephones as well as people on their PCs.

Calls to regular telephones are paid on a per minute basis with a basic reference rate of 2¢ per minute for calls anywhere in the world. If you want to avoid paying by the minute, you only need to get your correspondents and business associates to install Teleo as well, and then you'll be able to place and receive calls from them for free, no matter where they are located around the world.

Teleo also includes voicemail and call forwarding to regular phone numbers.

"Teleo has two big advantages over Skype: standards and Microsoft integration. Following in the footsteps of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) companies like FreeWorld Dialup (.com), Teleo relies on standards rather than proprietary protocols as Skype does.

Second, Teleo integrates itself seamlessly inside Microsoft office applications by enabling interesting contextual features such "Call with Teleo" every time a user highlights a phone number onscreen."
(Source: ITWorld.com)

Teleo's key technology resides in its use of SIP and its ability to traverse firewalls without need for special setup. Calls can be made over WiFi or inside corporate environments, working with enterprise VoIP systems and all VoIP networks.

On the other hand Teleo lacks Instant Messaging and PDA support, two interesting services you get with Skype to maintain presence.

Teleo can also be private labeled, something else that Skype doesn't offer yet.

Teleo’s voice quality is powered by Global IP Sound's VoiceEngine technology, the same technology powering Skype's own high quality VoIP communications.

All Teleo calls are encrypted end-to-end and are completely secure. Even Teleo's staff is unable to listen to your calls, and of course this extends to any unauthorized third parties.

Teleo costs $29.70 per six months ($4.95 per month).

Teleo Lite costs $17.70 per six months ($2.95 per month) and offers all the features of Teleo except for the inbound phone number. You can still place free PC-to-PC calls and place outbound calls to regular telephones using PSTN minutes.

Teleo does not contain any spyware or ad-serving software.

Currently, Teleo is available for Windows 2000 and XP.

A 30-day free trial of Teleo will be available soon at this URL.