MSN Messenger adds new VoIP service

As if we needed any more proof that the plain old telephone networks were on their way to extinction, it seems MCI has joined forces with Microsoft to offer a new pay-as-you-go VoIP service similar to that of . The new service will allow users of MSN Messenger to make calls to VoIP phones and regular telephones for a fee. The number of instant messaging services with VoIP capabilities has grown in recent months. Microsoft's new MCI-powered service will go by the rather clumsy moniker of MCI Web Calling for Windows Live Call and will offer reasonably priced long-distance rates starting at around 2 cents per minute. MCI will sell prepaid calling time for the new service in $5, $10, and $25 chunks. Now if only the telcos would start making naked DSL widely available so that we all had real telephony choices.