Can I use snom phones to make long distance calls via the Internet in order to bypass conventional telephony services?
Yes, you can call anyone over IP (e.g. via public Internet) if the called party owns a VoIP phone and is registered at an SIP registrar, e.g. at snom.info. (This is a public server running an SIP registrar.) If the called party does not own a VoIP phone you can still call them via a PSTN gateway that re-routes your call into the PSTN (Plain Old Telephone System). If your provider does not offer this service you will have to set up your own gateway.