Vonage, one of the leading VoIP and SIP companies have finally released their iPhone app that will now let callers use Vonage's VoIP network to make cheap international voice calls.
The Vonage iPhone app was approved by Apple early last month though its availability to the public was held back to perform a beta test on the service.
Developers have always had to face rough weather getting their VoIP iPhone Apps approved as AT&T restricts such apps to work only over Wi-Fi. Apple has in fact particularly agreed to consult AT&T before approving any app that is VoIP based. As a result, VoIP apps including those of Skype work only over Wi-Fi. Apple and Google are at logger-heads currently over the former's rejection of the Google Voice app.
The approval of the Vonage iPhone app should come as a breather for Google since their app functions pretty similar to that of Vonage's. The Vonage app works over Wi-Fi hotspot and also on the cellular network. When users dial an international number, the iPhone app makes a call to a local Vonage number which then routes the call over their VoIP network to the international number. The Google Voice app also works in a similar way, it dials a special Google phone number using the standard voice network, and then routes the call to its destination. All this makes us wonder why Apple still hasn't approved Google Voice iPhone app.
Michael Tempora, Senior Vice President of Products at Vonage has clarified that their iPhone app would not consume AT&T's data network to make their calls at this point, but hopes that it will be allowed someday by wireless carriers like AT&T. The rates presently vary by country. However, Vonage is likely to introduce a flat-rate plan with a recurring subscription fee for regular callers.
Stock Market seems to love the news of Vonage service on the iPhone, Vonage shares are up more than 12% currently.
If you are a Vonage subscriber, please download their free iPhone app from this link (US only) and let us know your experience in the comments.
[via NYTimes]
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read the reviews on it on the appstore? people are complaining you can't even use your existing vonage account? WTF. someone also wrote..
"minimum monthly usage charge? separate accounting? no easy canceled? you have to put in credit in the account and wait 30 days before canceling over the phone?"
ehhhhhh….F U AT&T!!! damn…first you're dropping calls like it's hot…then your newest firmware eats up my battery life..and now this crap.
breathe..breathe..1 2. 3…haha…
Holy crap vonage
I just tried it and I could not use my existing Vonage account, WTF?? I am not going to pay extra for another vonage line AND use my cell phone minutes. I sit on a WI-FI all day, if I am allowed to tap into my existing account over that then I'd use it but I'm not paying extra.
I made the mistake of signing up with my cell, how can I sign up again so I can use my Vonage number instead? The app doesnt have an option to logout…..
back in the days !