1. iPhone app Truphone enables calls via carriers | Wireless - ... http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10120724-94.html?part=r...
CNET News
Wireless
December 10, 2008 4:10 PM PST
iPhone app Truphone enables calls
via carriers
Posted by Marguerite Reardon
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Correction: An earlier version of this story mischaracterized the state of Share
88
the U.S. iPhone 3G's SIM card. It can be removed, but AT&T does not diggs
provide an unlock code so that another carrier's SIM card will work on the
phone. digg it
Truphone, which has an App Store application that enables iPhone and iPod Touch
users to make cheap international phone calls via a Wi-Fi connection, now can be
used by iPhone users to make cheap calls from anywhere.
Previously, Truphone, which launched as a free application in Apple's App
Store in July, worked only when users were within Wi-Fi range. But the latest
iteration of the application will allow iPhone users to make cheaper-than-usual
international calls additionally via their carrier's cellular voice networks.
This means that users won't be tied to the confines of a Wi-Fi hot spot. But users
should be wary of how they use the application, so as not to incur unexpected costs
from their carrier. U.S. customers, especially, should be cautious, because AT&T
charges roaming fees when calls are made from AT&T phones outside the country.
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2. iPhone app Truphone enables calls via carriers | Wireless - ... http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10120724-94.html?part=r...
Truphone works like several other VoIP
services, such as Jajah and Jaxtr, that
allow calling to and from regular phones.
In short, it uses the local carrier network to
establish a phone call, but it routes the call
internationally, using its own network of
voice over Internet Protocol points of
presence. And when the call is connected
on the other end, it uses the local phone
network to establish the connection.
By using local phone networks in
combination with VoIP technology,
Truphone is able to offer phone rates for as
little as 6 cents per minute when dialing a
landline in the United Kingdom, for
example, and 30 cents per minute when
(Credit: Truphone)
calling a cell phone.
By contrast, U.S. iPhone users making regular calls via AT&T's network could be
charged $1.49 per minute when calling a landline in the United Kingdom or $1.69
when calling a U.K. cell phone, according to AT&T's current rates. But
subscribers also have the option of signing up for a special international calling
plan that costs an additional $3.99 per month. It drops the per-minute costs down to
8 cents a minute for calls from the U.S. to landlines in the U.K. and to 28 cents a
minute to cell phones in the U.K.
The Truphone application could also help frequent travelers save on making calls
when they're abroad. But for AT&T subscribers, unless they are in a Wi-Fi hot spot,
the Truphone application won't likely save them any money while they're traveling
abroad.
The reason is that AT&T still charges a roaming rate for phones that connect to
another operator's network. For example, AT&T customers traveling in the United
Kingdom pay a standard roaming rate of $1.29 per minute to make calls while in
the United Kingdom. With a $5.99-per-month World Traveler plan, that rate is
knocked down to 99 cents per minute.
The new version of Truphone's software also allows users in Wi-Fi hot spots to
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3. iPhone app Truphone enables calls via carriers | Wireless - ... http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10120724-94.html?part=r...
make and receive free calls when connecting to other Truphone users in Wi-Fi hot
spots. A presence feature will let users know which Truphone contacts are
connected to Wi-Fi networks, so that they can be called for free.
In summary, Truphone is certainly a better option for AT&T iPhone users, if they
make international phone calls from the U.S., and they don't want to pay the extra
$3.99 a month for AT&T's special international rates. But the rates offered with the
$3.99 plan are similar to those offered by Truphone.
And for AT&T subscribers traveling abroad, I'd suggest taking an old, unlocked
GSM phone, and popping in a local SIM card for making phone calls while in
another country. Most of the time, it will be a whole lot cheaper to use a local
service than paying AT&T's standard roaming rates, or even signing up for a $5.99
monthly international roaming plan and still paying the per-minute charges.
While the SIM card on the iPhone can be removed, AT&T does not provide a code
to unlock the phone. So unless users are able to hack the phone to unlock it, they
won't be able to use a local SIM card to get service while abroad. But any other
AT&T phone can be unlocked, simply by calling AT&T customer service and
requesting the unlock code.
Marguerite Reardon has been a CNET News reporter since 2004,
covering cell phone services, broadband, citywide Wi-Fi, the Net
neutrality debate, as well as the ongoing consolidation of the phone
companies. E-mail Maggie.
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