If you use Google Voice, or simply make the occasional outgoing call via Gmail, Google's got some great news for you. The service is going to continue to be free throughout 2013 for users in the U.S. and Canada! International callers will still have the same rates applied. In short, nothing is really changing, and that's a good thing.

When Google first introduced the ability to make phone calls in Gmail, it said the service would be free through at least the end of 2010. At which point, that promise was extended to the end of 2011. Then 2012. And as of today, free Google Voice calling lives to die another day. The storm cloud of doubt will continue to hang until a similar announcement this time next year, but for now, another 12 months of freedom!

Source: Google