There are large strides being made in order to promote free communication globally. Some of the open source communication software providers are offering freeware that allows for free international communication from your computer.
For example, FreeSWITCH is the software being used in order to support the audio, visual, and text needs of companies like AOL and Skype. Some companies are completely dependent on the new technology, and there are even new international universities that are able to broadcast through the uses of Skype.
The open source communication platforms operate through small channels, allowing for a depth of undetectable communication that does not overwhelm servers. By avoiding high-tech proxy servers, FreeSWITCH has developed a low width usability that is compatible with many different interfaces, such as Asterisk and Yate. This also means that the processor and IP speed do not have to be running at maximum to function in real time during communication.
This technology is very exciting, and there are hopes of creating the same type of communication platforms through cell phones using tablet computer technology. It would eventually mark the end of paying for cell phones. This technology advancement is a possibility since the software-based protocol in many phones is built to mimic fully integrated processors.
For text only communication, or IM, there are many different options. While AOL has tried to accommodate other domain registered users, there is still some difficulty connecting for chat. Google and Yahoo are the other platforms that host the primary share of IM, but they have still not found a cohesive niche for all domains to be integrated. Meebo.com is a site that allows for free registry. Once signed in, all chat mediums are received at one time in a streaming feed. If there are multiple domain users, they are then grouped into one.
No one can say for sure where communication will go in the future, but open source is working to make it free.