VoIP telephony company Vonage has launched its V-Phone USB calling kit in the UK. It's the size of a Flash drive - there's 250MB of free storage space on there - but also includes all you need to use your Vonage account on any PC, anywhere.

The host needs to be connected to a broadband internet link, of course, and if it's behind a separate firewall you might run into problems too. The V-Phone has a read-only sector that contains Vonage's VoIP software and comes bundled with a headset which plugs into a 2.5mm port on the side of the device. No files are left on the PC.

The V-Phone costs £20 and includes a UK phone number so non-subscribers can call you. Individuals pay £8 a month and a £10 activation fee. Calls to landlines are free, but you pay 5-15p a minute to speak to someone on a mobile, depending on when during the day you call. Facilities like call waiting, call forwarding and voicemail are included free. The software can also be used to make '999' emergency calls.

Available now, the V-Phone can be picked up from Vonage's website. ®