Do you have a Google Account ?
There are a lot of good things that can be done using a Chrome Browser and a Google account.
Accepting that with Google you are not getting some of these for free, as Google is making money from what it knows about you etc.
Also the Free Google 'Voice' number is generally only available in the USA so is not something we can use elsewhere
Have you allocated a Mobile Number to you Gmail Account ?
One thing that can be defined with you Google account is a Mobile Number, and can be easilly added from the manage account section of your account.
Having this assigned in your profile together with the tools below can provide a free calling system which is not only local but also International.
Ideally you really need to have your contacts numbers assigned so that you all can use this type of communication system.
Audio/Video call from Gmail to Gmail
There used to be a separate tool from Google for doing voice/video calls but that has now integrated into thee Google meet world, but is still available for calling using the website that Google provide for this purpose.
Assuming all the above is setup
E.g. Chrome Browser being used, Google user logged/signed into Chrome which has a mobile assigned to account etc.
You will also need to have Microphone/Speakers/Optional Camera setup and allowed to be operated by the Chrome browser.
The Web page URL for using this integrated calling system is:
From this webpage on the desktop it is possible to video or audio call a user or a predefined group of users by entering their Gmail address etc.
The only issue being that the recipient needs to have the calling page open (or google phone) so that the desktop system will ring etc.
This is great but as we have assigned Mobile numbers to Google accounts then, it is also possible to enter the Mobile number and call that from the webpage
The webpage keeps a record of calls made/received under 'Recent Activity' which are 'hot links' allowing easy callback etc.
When making the call the number displayed to the caller will be your number that is assigned in your Google Profile
Calling a Mobile Number Internationally for free
This process outlined above will also work internationally so you could call a mobile number in another country the same way
Conclusion
Appreciating that this is not the only solution to the issue of calling people and other options can be equally used for free it may provide some benefit to those users that need a simple phone system.
