I use Vonage.  It has free long distance in the USA and in some other countries, but I don't remember which countries.  It is $30 a month.  You can get a $5 a month second number that others can call you on and they aren't charged long distance.  It is great.  Crystal clear.

We went from having to have 3 separate phone lines and internet providers,  to cable internet and vonage.  Saving a lot of money!  The internet is $41.  It is high, but Vonage and a separate internet costs combined are one forth of the setup I had before.\

I couldn't get Vonage until a cable company came thru our area and laid cable and internet lines because I had dial up.

All you have to pay to set it up is a $29 for a Vonage box. 

Now if I could find a reasonable sattelite service.  Dish has went crazy with charges,