Wifi Revolution

Vonage (News - Alert) has launched Vonage Mobile, its first mobile calling application for smart phones. Vonage Mobile is a free downloadable application that provides low-cost international calling from iPhones or iPod Touch devices using Wi-Fi, or on mobile networks on the BlackBerry (News - Alert).

 

Once downloaded, the service saves customers more than 50 percent on calls to dozens of countries compared to the rates charged by wireless carriers, while providing far more convenience than calling cards, Vonage says.

 

Vonage Mobile is available for download on the iPhone, BlackBerry and iPod touch at www.vonage.com and the iTunes App Store as of Oct. 5.

 

Vonage Mobile does not require the use of access numbers or new phone numbers. Users simply dial from within the application. The app currently requires users to buy credits, but a recurring monthly fee payment plan will be introduced later in 2009.

 

That enhancement extends the ability to make unlimited calls to over 60 countries for one flat monthly fee to mobile users, giving customers the choice to pick the plan that fits them best.

 

Vonage’s announcement comes on the heels of queries by federal regulators about Apple’s decision to keep the Google (News - Alert) Voice application from appearing in its App Store, and against the backdrop of on-going Federal Communications Commission rulemakings on use of wireless networks.

 

Skype (News - Alert) already is approved for use on Apple devices on Wi-Fi networks, but not on AT&T's 3G mobile network.

 

It might be hard to find any observers of the matter who believe mobile carriers will forever continue to ban use of VoIP on mobile devices. With or without FCC action, such use of VoIP is inevitable.

 

The only issue is the length of the transition period, and the terms and conditions that might accompany VoIP use on mobiles. Mobile providers obviously would prefer a gradual transition, as they also favor a gradual transition to VoIP on landline networks.

 

But it would be hard to find a knowledgeable observer who really believes mobile VoIP will not happen.

 

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