Tesco has improved its internet telephony service with the release of the Internet Phone Adapter.

The adapter plugs directly into a broadband connection, meaning that calls can be made over the internet without using a PC. It is similar to recent devices from Philips and RTX, both of which use the Skype service.

Tesco's Internet Phone Adapter works over the company's own internet telephone service, which was launched in 2006. Until now, in order to make calls users had to be at a PC connected to the internet.

With the new adapter, customers can make calls without the PC switched on, or even without a PC in the house. A standard home telephone has to be plugged into the adapter.

Calls costs vary but as a guide, calls are free to other Tesco internet phone users, 2p a minute to other landlines, the US, Canada and Australia, and 10p a minute to UK mobiles.

The Internet Phone Adapter is available in selected Tesco Extra and Tesco Metro stores, and is also available online. It costs £49.97. The pack also contains £5 of free calls.

Keep an eye on our website for a review of the Internet Phone Adapter.