The advent of the Internet and improved technology has heralded the entry of VoIP; and Coms, all set to take advantage of this, has launched a VoIP telephone service exclusively for Apple's (News - Alert) iPad users.

Coms indicated that the launch was significant because in spite of more than 25 million Apple iPads being sold all over the world, no iPads were voice telephony-enabled when they were bought.

However, the launch by Coms is expected to set that right, as its VoIP services can be provided over the iPad’s inbuilt WiFi (News - Alert) or GSM modem.

iPad users who use this service will be given a free UK telephone number of their choice and also limited free calling credit welcoming them into the fold of Coms' VoIP services. They can also choose a new Coms telephone number from more than 250 area codes in the UK.

Subscribers, who can then make and receive calls over their Internet connections, will be offered the option to choose between monthly subscription services and a pay-as-you-go service. Advanced telephone features will also be made available.

Users can enable their iPads by subscribing for the service at the company website and will need to download a softphone app that can be downloaded from the App store. Coms recommends the Bria app from Counterpath Inc.

Although the service is expected to benefit all iPad users, those who travel and connect a local WiFi network will stand to gain more as they will not incur high roaming fees and all outbound calls will be charged at local call plan rates.

Richard Bennett, CEO of Coms plc, noted in a press release that the new service built upon the iPhone (News - Alert) application that was launched previously to facilitate the cloud telephony market. He believed that the days of fixed-line telephony were almost over, and that a gradual migration to the cost-effective cloud was inevitable.

Bennet elaborated on the cost savings that the service brought in its wake and said, “Users of this new service can save up to 90 percent against BT (News - Alert) on international calls and up to 77 percent on UK calls. In addition, they get a new landline for free which travels with them, saving over $470 against BT.”

Coms is working on additional features that will enable customers to transfer their existing BT numbers to the Coms service. It is also working to make the service compatible with all leading operating systems, including Android, OS and Symbian (News - Alert).