Microsoft and MCI have partnered to offer calls from PCs to standard phones, but for now Microsoft's Windows Live Call, to be tested beginning this week, will offer only outbound calls from PCs to regular phones - unlike the services of some of its major rivals, which also offer the ability to receive calls on PC's from phones - writes the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Moreover, the per-minute cost of the new service will be more. The new service will work in conjunction with MSN's revamped instant-messaging program, Windows Live Messenger.

Though rates vary, calls could cost as little as 2.3 cents a minute - less than rates MCI offers its current customers, writes Reuters. But that's more than prices offered by Yahoo and Skype.

Subscriptions will be available first in the U.S. and then extended to Britain, France, Germany and Spain in the next few weeks. Prepaid calling time can be purchased from MCI in $5, $10 or $25 increments.