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Gmail calling comes to the UK

Thursday 10 August, 2011

By Kelvin Goodson

UK users of Google’s email service can now call landlines and mobiles.

Gmail voice and video chat, previously only available in the US, is now available to international users.

Users of Google’s email service in the UK are now able to use it to call any landline or mobile phone.

Pierre Lebeau, product manager of the Gmail team, said: “We’re always trying to make it easier for people to connect - whether that means sending an email, chatting or video chatting, you can reach the people you care about from right inside Gmail.”

There are no connection fees, so users only pay for the time they talk, and calling credit can now be bought in pounds as well as euros, US dollars and Canadian dollars.

Google is also lowering the calling rates of Gmail voice and video chat to over 150 destinations “to help reduce the cost of staying connected”.

In order to use the feature, Gmail users need to check that a small green phone icon has appeared at the top of their Gmail chat list to ensure that it has reached them and will also need to install Google’s voice and video plug-in to begin making calls.

Dialling a number using Gmail voice and video chat is done in the same way as using a regular phone - just click “Call phone” at the top of the chat list and either dial a number or enter the contact’s name if you already have the number stored in your Gmail contacts.

According to Google, the feature is useful for when you need to make a quick call, or if you are in an area with bad mobile phone reception.