Since I gave up my only phone number yesterday, I’m exploring online alternatives.

I tried Google’s free service called Google 411.

Here’s how it works.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

… completely free and really easy to use. Simply call 1-800-GOOG-411, say where you are and what you’re looking for. GOOG-411 will find and connect you with the business you choose for free.

http://www.google.com/goog411

So … it’s the same as using 411 in the USA, but you get no service charge on your phone bill at the end of the month. The oft hated AT&T will charge $1.99 per 411 call beginning July 1, 2009. After tax in South Florida on your AT&T phone, that information call will cost $2.40.

You’d have to be an idiot not to use Google 411 rather than pay $2.40.

Microsoft and other companies offer similar services at no cost. Or low cost.

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Even better, I called 1-800-GOOG-411 from Canada to a business in the USA from my laptop using Skype. It worked perfectly.

That means I can call an American business phone number for free from anywhere in the world using Skype.

Sweet.

Skype is already free person to person … if they both have Skype.

But Skype is not free calling from Skype to a regular phone. For that you need to buy SkypeOut minutes. Those are only a couple of cents a minute from anywhere in the world to any phone.

Compare that with the $3.50 / minute (plus tax, plus fees) roaming charge for calling across the border from the USA to Canada when I’m in the USA.

I love Skype. I hate the phone companies.