People have been waiting for this for a while a now, but Truphone (a.k.a. Software Cellular Network Limited) finally announced today that it has launched its “true mobile VoIP” service for the Nokia (News - Alert) N80 handset.


According to UK-based Truphone, the owners of these phones will be able download software that enables the dual-mode phone to do VoIP later this month.

Truphone, a pioneer in bringing mobile VoIP to cellular handsets, announced just last month the launch of its download for the Nokia E-series. The company was one of the first to deliver a mobile VoIP solution to the market in 2005, but since then, several other companies (including UK-based aql) have launched similar solutions to deliver mobile VoIP to the masses.

The company says it plans to support additional WiFi (News - Alert)-enabled phones in the near future, including those built on the Windows Mobile platform.

The service allows free calls between all ‘on net’ Truphone handsets worldwide. Low, VoIP-like rates apply to other calls.

“Support for Nokia’s N80 handset brings true mobile VoIP to the mass market and gives Truphone genuine consumer appeal,” said James Tagg, Truphone’s chief executive, in a press release. “Truphone routes calls entirely via the Internet, ensuring the lowest possible call costs to consumers whether in their home country or travelling abroad, unlike ‘calling card’ services masquerading as mobile VoIP.”

Like the download for the E-series, Truphone’s N80 download is beta software. Users and developers alike are invited to comment on the new service, or ask questions, at the company’s “discussion forum” at www.mobilevoipforum.org.

To install the software, all a user has to do is send an SMS with the word “TRU” to a designated number and provisioning will takes place automatically “over the air.” The software integrates seamlessly with the phone using the existing address book, so there’s nothing to re-type. Truphone facilitates seamless handover between cellular and WiFi networks.

The Nokia N80 is a slim, lightweight quadband GSM 3G multimedia computer which offers email, a personal organizer, an MP3 player and a 3 megapixel camera. To learn more about this handset, including its technical specifications, click here.

For more information about Truphone, visit www.truphone.com.

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Patrick Barnard is Associate Editor for TMCnet and a columnist covering the telecom industry. To see more of his articles, please visit Patrick Barnard’s columnist page.