IVR Technologies, a company that specializes in SIP server and RADIUS billing replacement solutions, announced Monday a new application for users of social networking site Facebook (News - Alert).com. The application, callme, was developed in partnership with Global Telelinks, Inc.

 

The callme application represents IVR Technologies’ integration of its Talking SIP solution (an application, billing and media server) with the Facebook platform. Global Telelink’s voice network is leveraged by callme, enabling Facebook users to call each other for free without any special hardware or software.

 

The callme application is available to Facebook users in the same way as other apps for the social networking site: by going to http://apps.facebook.com/ivr_callme and specifying that they want the app installed on their profile page. Any two users who have installed the application can initiate a free voice call. These calls double-blind in the sense that neither user can see the other’s phone number. Users can also set the application to work in invite-only mode or in open mode with specific users blocked.

 

In its announcement, IVR Technologies said callme includes several features of interest to advertisers and marketers. For example, advertisements can be played based on a caller’s profile info (age, geographic location, gender, etc.). Voice ads can be played during the ring phase of a call or at the end of a call. Immediate or postponed call transfers allow users who are interested in learning more about a product/service described in an ad to reach a call center agent.

 

Advertisers also benefit from callme through sponsored links placed on the user’s call page (after a call is initiated), and through a call log on the user’s page that includes a link to the sponsor of each call.

 

IVR Technologies noted that voice calls initiated via callme can be conducted using a regular landline or a cellphone.

 

“Leveraging the amazing Facebook development platform and web 2.0 controls, the callme application is the first Facebook voice calling application that can be used without any special software or hardware, without requiring the application to be installed, and without requiring an account to be created in a foreign system,” IVR Technologies vide president of product management Randall Walrond said in a statement. “ Whether it is a long lost friendship or a brand new one, the callme application is there to allow friends to connect with the richness, convenience, and ubiquity of voice.”