If you intend to considerably cut down the cost of your mobile calls, here is a list of VoIP services that can allow you to cut down your mobile communication costs to the cheapest it can be so far. You only have to select the right service tailored to your needs, mobile phone type and model, connectivity, etc.
Yeigo is here to end paid-for mobile communication as you know it. It is a free
software application that can be installed on mobile phones for calls and messages
to any mobile or landline anywhere in the world. Calls are free to other mobiles
using Yeigo, anywhere they can be in the world. Yeigo works on most recent mobile
phones on the market. To use Yeigo, just like many of the applications of its like in
this list, you need to have a data connection like Wi-Fi, 3G, GPRS, etc. Read more on
Yeigo here.
Fring is also a free application to be installed on a mobile phone for calls and
messages. Calls to other Fring others are free, and are paid at cheap rates to
landline and mobile networks. The cell phone models on which Fring works is more
limited than for Yeigo. However, Fring users can communicate with users of other
instant messaging service like Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk, SIP,
Twitter, AIM, Yahoo etc. Fring also requires a data service plan like WiFi, 3G, GPRS etc. Read more on
Fring here.
Packet8's MobileTalk is a pioneering service in the field of Mobile VoIP and is
interesting for people who spend heavily on international calls. The rates are
cheaper than for fixed VoIP. However, only US residents can benefit from it now. The
service is different from other services on this list, in that it is hardware-based. It
works through the GSM service, which means you don't need a data service like WiFi
or 3G or GPRS etc. However, local calls are not as cheap as you would expect with
mobile VoIP, so the service is ideal only for heavy international callers. Read more on
Packet's MobileTalk here.
Jaxtr is a nice and completely free service that allows you to make phone calls to and from fixed or mobile phones. You first need to create an account and submit a phone number through which you can be contacted. Then you can call other people who have done the same. The first time, you need to call them through the web interface or jaxtr, then, once you have saved the virtual number of the person on your phone, you can call them from it the next time. International calls are also supported. Note that the phone number you submit will not be seen by other people, but a virtual number will be used instead, assigned by jaxtr.
Yackie Mobile is a pioneering new type of service in the field of mobile VoIP - it offers VoIP on a SIM card. This eliminates the need for data plans or WiFi connections. You simply have to buy and insert the SIM card in your mobile phone, register for the VoIP service and start using it. The rates are standard cheap VoIP rates; and the international rates are quite advantageous.
With Talkety, there is no software to download and install. You don't need a computer for calls, but you do need one for registration, payment and recording numbers. Yes I said payment, because the service is not free. You can call anywhere on any kind of telephone anywhere in the whole world. They also have a Pro service. To use the service, you enter the numbers, the phone rings and the talkers are connected.
We know Jajah works on a web page, but they also have a plug in that can freely
be downloaded and installed on mobile phones. The plug in allows you to enter the
phone number and call. Messaging is also possible. Jajah claims to offer rates that
can cut down your phone costs by 95%, but no part of the service is free. Jajah
works on a certain number of phones, and you can check the compatibility of your's
on their
web site.
By installing the Truphone software on your mobile phone, you can have your mobile phones routed through the Internet,and make free calls to other Truphone users. Calls to plain mobile and landline phones are cheap. However, Truphone works only with WiFi and 3G networks. Also, the number of mobile phone models is works on is very limited, including only some models in the Nokia E and N series. Truphone also works in Apple's iPhone.
EQO is a free application that can be installed on mobile phones. That application
gives you access to many services, as described on
EQO's web site. It is
compatible with MSN, AIM, Yahoo, Google Talk, QQ, ICQ and Jabber. Nothing is
cheap here apart from messaging, but with EQO to EQO communication, the rate is
halved.
You might be asking why Skype does not come first of this list, with its hundreds of
millions of users. While Skype shines in PC-to-PC communication (for how long
more?), its presence in the mobile arena only fills a gap in its services. Skype has
softphones for Nokia Internet Tablet, Windows Mobile devices and WiFi phones only.
Recently, Skype has launched its own mobile phone, called the SkypePhone, which
carries all Skype functionalities and services. It is however not yet available in all
countries at the time I am writing this. Read more on
Skype mobile.
Rebtel gives international numbers for your local contacts, and therefore allows you to make international calls at low rates. What you pay is the local GSM fee plus a small fee for Rebtel. You have to type your contact's international number and Rebtel will create a local number for the area you are in, for you to call them.
