Skype on the computer

I believe skype to skype is free but you have to set up the account to beable to make the calls.  you only pay if you phone somewone who doesn't use skype which I used to when I phoned my dear old Dad when he was alive as he didn't use the internet.

Thank you for your reply.

Would this be the same as.making a phonecall?  What are the pros and cons as neither I or my contacts  ( sometimes very elderly) necesarily will have a smartphone or iPhone constantly with us and in some cases, not even turned on!  Also the computer is usually in the office or some other corner of the house.

If you have a mobile phone just use what's app it's free calls to anyone you call all over the world and you can also see them if you want

Thanks.  I do use Whats App already for text and never though to use it for vocal conversation.

As I said you can also use it for vidio call as well ,and that's all for free

Thanks.  I'll have to try it out.

If you have friends or relatives that do not have internet access you can buy a Skype subscription that allows you to call to any fixed line, not mobile, anywhere in the world. We pay £20 a quarter for this from a UK Skype acct. We used to use it a lot to call my partner’s family in S America where internet access was limited. More recently as its improved WhatsApp or Skype to Skype is effectively free if both parties have an internet connection. 

I might go for this option since i am wanting to be able to  assure contact as the very old relatives I need to call are not good with internet or keeping smartphones turned on!  Sound good.

Actually, I do have a phone connection rented through Next (I had to buy the instrument independently).  This was due to having no lines where I live.  I get up to 500 minutes overseas and 500 local calls monthly included in the rental which I'm sure is more than the amount you mention.  It works through WiFi. 

Use voip stunt very cheap,google it