Talk is cheap, as the saying goes, but it couldn't be further from the truth. With VAT rising to 20 percent in January, and telecoms companies including TalkTalk and BT announcing 50p-per-month price hikes on their line-rental charges, the cost of staying in touch is set to rocket.
There are ways to avoid these price premiums, however. Coupling a webcam with a low-cost (or even free) VoIP service such as will enable you to hold a conversation with your loved ones and get some face-to-face time as you chat.
VoIP telephony has roots in business communications, and was originally used for inter- and intra-office communications. It depends on a solid internet connection - something home users have only recently been able to take for granted. Adding a webcam to the mix lets you conduct web-based conference calls or have video chats with friends.
Internet telephony makes sense for businesses. It's more economical than boarding a flight or jumping on a train to go to a two-hour meeting. And calls conducted over the web are far cheaper than using a traditional phoneline, too.
Which webcam you need will largely depend on the type of calls you want to make. Single caller to single recipient is the most common scenario, but you may need to be able to chat to several people simultaneously, often in separate locations.
There's also the issue of compatibility. While many webcams work with Windows and Mac, some use special drivers to support extra functions. These are often available only for recent versions of Windows.
In general, you shouldn't have any difficulty getting your webcam to work with the most popular instant-messaging (IM) services, Yahoo Messenger and Windows Live Messenger. Not all devices are Skype-certified or will necessarily work with your or app.
Skype is the best-known internet telephony service, but there are lots of others that use a setup known as software internet protocol service (SIPS).
If you're using an older PC or a netbook, hardware specifications may also need to be considered. To record video, you'll need many megabytes of hard-disk space and a capable processor. The hardware at your disposal will also influence your choice of webcam - not all laptops can cope with a high-resolution display and fast framerates.
A 1.3Mp or 3Mp camera will capture more detail than a 0.3Mp VGA-resolution device - usually resulting in a clearer, crisper image. The number of megapixels doesn't always equate to superior image quality, however, as we found when testing these webcams.
Note, too, that if one person has a VGA-resolution webcam and the other a 2Mp-plus 'HD' one, the image quality will only be as good as the inferior device is able to support. Similarly, HD video capture is as dependent on a smooth network connection - in which packets of data are sent and encoded at a sustained rate - as it is on expensive video hardware.
It's worth considering your existing PC setup and where the webcam will be positioned. If it needs to be placed on top of your monitor, it'll require a clip to secure it in place. Check, too, whether the cable will be long enough to reach the computer's USB port.
If you don't have a microphone, don't worry: all modern webcams have them built in. Noise-cancelling technology will be useful if you'll be making calls in a noisy office.
If you're not fond of fiddling with settings, plump for a webcam with an autofocus. If you're a bit of a fidget, face-tracking technology will be useful.
Finally, if the device is being used on a family PC, consider choosing a webcam that lets you add fun video effects.
At £74, the Blue Microphones Eyeball 2.0 is at the pricier end of the webcam market - and you don't even get dedicated software for your money. But this webcam appeals for its fully automated setup, excellent sound quality and stylish retro design.
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It isn't the most expensive webcam here, but the FaceVsion TouchCam N1 is pricey nonetheless, especially as both users ideally need an HD camera. In return for your money, however, you'll get excellent quality video and Skype certification.
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Freetalk's Everyman Webcam is small and dainty, and offers a good video-chat experience. Dispensing with the need for additional software (excluding Skype), the Everyman is ideal for mobile users who wish to make VoIP calls.
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Those seeking a great-value HD webcam will love the Logitech C270 HD. This model is solidly built, offers 720p video capture and 3Mp stills, and features face-tracking functionality.
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Ideal for families, the Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000 offers good-quality HD video, commendable sound and some fun effects. Compatibility with Windows Live is an added bonus.
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The Philips SPC640NC is an excellent webcam that captures clear and sharp video and images. Bundled software lets you add fun effects and make simple edits, while face-tracking technology ensures you're always in shot. At £35, it's also great value.
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If you're after an inexpensive webcam for your first foray into video-messaging, the £21 Sweex HD Diamond fits the bill. Uniquely in this group test, it offers some manual controls.
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We installed and set up each webcam as per the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Where appropriate, we also used any bundled software to adjust the settings and test the video- and still-image-capture capabilities. To test each webcam we used VoIP service Skype to make a phone call, each time to the same recipient. We asked for feedback on the image clarity and smoothness of video. All calls were made using the same network on the same day.