Anyone know about free audio conferencing?
Comments are open: Has anyone had experience with free audio conferencing services like Powwownow? There are others like this, this, and this.
We tried a test on Powwownow and it worked fine and was as easy to use as the instructions said: call the number and put in a PIN. No memberships, no fees. All participants pay is the long-distance charge, which is basically free for those on cell phone plans or those of us who get unlimited (free) long distance via cable phone service. We’ll check our phone bills in a few days to make sure there’s no funny business. The area code is from Iowa, so it’s not a “toll” code.
It seems too good to be true, but if it’s “for real” there are endless possibilities since these services allow you to talk to 50+ people at once. You could talk to your entire family at one time, you could have a weekly prayer meeting with long-distance friends, etc.
Those of you with blogs of your own who are sufficiently intrigued by this may want to ask your readers if they have experience with these services. I couldn’t find much online in the way of independent reviews of them.
I represent Great America Networks Conferencing, so as a disclosure, this reply will have a sales spin to it favoring my company, but it also will only hold true information.
I never bash another competitor and wouldn’t do so here, but there are downsides to using a free service. The first and most obvious reason is that is a long distance toll call and for higher attendance to your event, toll-free is always going to be appreciated by your participants. Another limit (as mentioned right on a lot of their websites) is that there is a chance some of your callers might get a busy signal, or locked out. A risk you have to take. For recording, it seems to work well, but it is only 1 recording at a time. If these are factors that don’t impact your business, then this might be the best way for you to go.
As for pay services, the things to look for (outside of price) is quality and service. We have a full Compunetrix audio bridge with redundant ports and fully scalable. Crystal clear and without drops. If someone gets dropped, or your audio isn’t clear, we will pay for the call. Full guarantee of service. This is a solid state service and not VOIP which is shaky at best.
As for customer service, we utilize a dedicated account manager. If there is anything needed, you can always, within reason ( I am human), get a hold of me or whoever your manager would be. the same person you deal with instead of 1 of 1000 people. New services or access codes, technical problems, scheduling operator assisted calls, help with recording or any training, all run through your account manager. Few other companies can offer that level of personalized service.
We offer as many recordings as needed. Accessible from any phone or as a free downloadable wav file. Only charge is 7 cents per minute you are recording, or listening on a phone.
Pricewise, I offer our lowest price of 5 cents per minute/connection for toll-free service to anyone that contacts me through any mention on a blog comment. We also offer WebConferencing and VideoConferencing capabilities as you might need them. No long contracts. No credit card required, (we will invoice you). No minimums (if you bill $1.50 in conferencing usage, that would be the invoice you receive). No hidden fees. No tricks. Just great service as a good rate.
Anyone can contact me for any further information.
Anthony Russo
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
http://www.ganconference.com
312-432-5377
Skype: anth.russo
Thanks for the info. For my non-business purposes, and I assume those of most of my readers, the capabilities of these free services are sufficient and undeniably simple. That’s particularly true now that long-distance charges have dropped to the point where they are not much of a factor any longer. Many people have unlimited rate plans via their cell companies, and some of us (including me) have cable phone service that provides unlimited, free long-distance within the states. For these people, this long distance call is effectively free. Even those still paying paying long distance shouldn’t be paying more than a nickel a minute. A weekly hour-long call would only cost them $3. Furthermore, the lack of need to “sign up” with yet another company is appealing, as is the lack of need to administratively manage things centrally.
My big question about Powwownow and the other ‘free’ services is: Are they legit? Has anyone been using them who can vouch for them? (I looked at our phone bill online today and the calls are there, showing up as a simple long distance call). Anyone who has used these companies can probably also comment on whether busy signals have been an issue.
Use FreeConferenceCall.com it is the best and it is easy to use.