Quick Stats
911 Service:No
International Calling:Yes
Guarantee:N/A
Plans:Residential

AOL Voice Services are known as AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) Call Out. This is an outbound-only pay-as-you-go product used through the AIM 6.5 or later client. Consumers can make PC-to-phone calls and PC-to-PC calling. The former service is provided at pennies even for overseas calls, and users can connect to over 200 countries through this VoIP service. The PC-to-PC calls using the standard AIM service is free. The service was launched late 2007 with the update of AIM services.

Installation and Interface

Users must download AIM before this service can work on any computer. Or, you can set up a screen name and password when you register for AIM Call Out and then download AIM. Whatever screen name you use for AIM is the screen name you’ll use for AIM Call Out and vice-versa.

When you sign up for AIM Call Out, the first thing you’ll need to do is pre-pay by credit card with an option for an “Auto Refill.” Once you accomplish a prepayment option, you sign up with a screen name. Then, grab a headset or microphone and dial your friend’s phone. That’s all there is to it. You will pay the per-minute rate for the country you’re calling. If you want to talk on a regular phone, you can use AOL’s Web Connect.

The Web Connect feature allows users to bridge two PSTN phone numbers through a Dashboard interface. You key in a originating number and the phone number of a friend. Your phone will ring and connect you to your friend’s phone. But beware – with the Web Connect service, you’ll pay for your friend’s country rate as well as your own. Before you dial, however, AIM will show the total per minute rate for the call. The Dashboard also provides lots of handy features like a Call Log with click-to-call capabilities, and access to your AIM Address Book contacts.

The interface displays the rate of the call, the amount of credit remaining for calls, the originating and destination phone numbers and a dial button. The interface is simple, intuitive, and easy to use.

Features

Outside the AIM Call Out, AOL also offers AIM Voicemail, where users can check voicemail and e-mail online or by phone, toll-free. This feature offers caller ID information, a call log and block unwanted callers.

Another service is AOL Call Alert, where computer users can see who’s calling while online and take messages. AOLbyPhone is a service where users can get AOL email by phone. Unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada (just like a calling card) is offered for one low monthly fee.

Performance

As with most VoIP services, AIM Call Out’s performance has much to do with your equipment. They suggest a PC Pentium with a sound card, Windows 200, XP, or Vista operation system, 128MB RAM, and AIM downloaded on an Internet Browser. They suggest Internet Explorer. Broadband connections allow for faster service and better quality as well.

Service and Support

Nowhere on the AOL AIM Call Out pages can a user find a support service email, phone number, or knowledgebase. You can find a page of FAQs, with about a dozen questions and answers listed on that FAQ.

List of Features Available on AOL VoIP

Support: N/A
Guarantee: N/A
Residential Plan: Yes
Small Business Plan: No
411 Service: No
911 Service: No		 Call Return (*69): No
Call Waiting: No
Caller ID: Yes
Click-to-Call: N/A
Fax Line (FoIP): No
International Calling: Yes		 IP PBX Solution: No
Keep Your Number: N/A
PC-to-PC Calling: Yes
PC-to-Phone Calling: Yes
Virtual Phone Numbers: No

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