Press & PR

Making phone calls over the internet has revolutionised the way that people aged over 50 keep in touch with their friends and family, it has been suggested.

While cheaper calls over the web benefit us all, New Age Media magazine editor Justin Pearse suggested that the impact has been of great importance for older generations.

He pointed out that so-called silver surfers "are using [the web] as much as anyone younger" and typically use it to remain in contact with their families.

"People are able to keep in touch with their grandchildren who may be not be in the country," he said.

"If you wanted to contact somewhere like Australia for example, it is much cheaper to do so across the web."

Mr Pearse also noted that the ability to make voice calls over the internet helps make sure older people do not become socially isolated in their later years.

Unlimited calls over the internet to the UK and Ireland cost from just £5.99 per month under V-plan 1 from low cost internet phone company Vonage, while up to 25 other countries can be added under other call plans they offer.