Second Lifers get real world phone lines

Inhabitants of Second Life will soon be able to carry out their real world communications from the comfort of the virtual universe.

Early next year, Second Life developer, Linden Labs, will integrate a platform that enables participants to associate real world telephone numbers with their avatars.

Second Lifers can then receive phone calls from the real world, whilst in the virtual universe. From the reports we’ve seen on the web, it doesn’t look like users will be able to place calls to the outside world from within Second Life, but that doesn’t mean it’s not on the cards.

In world communication tools are already common in Second Life but are typically based on Instant Messaging or voice chat systems. Last year we reported on real world mobile phone retailer, YouNeverCall, which began distributing fully functional cell phones for free within Second Life.

The virtual cell phones let users make calls to other Second Lifers as well as send text messages to real world numbers. As the offering has been partially integrated with the Second Life currency system, it looks like generation of a billing system for phone calls could be possible.

Inhabitants of the Second Life universe use the local currency, Linden dollars, to pay for goods and services in the virtual world. The Linden dollar has its own exchange rate and is convertible to real world currency.