App uses mobile network to route cheap calls

INTERNET TELEPHONY provider Blueface has partnered software developer Vennetics to create an iPhone app that allows low-cost voice over internet protocol calls using a standard mobile network.

The top” or “cuckoo” services

While “over the top” or “cuckoo” services, which use the mobile data network to route calls cheaply, are popular internationally, this is the first time such an app has been developed and marketed in Ireland.

The Banter app allows clients to transfer their existing landline phone number so that it rings on their mobile. Users are as well provided with a virtual geographic number with an Irish prefix for the town or city of their choice.

Blueface chief executive Alan Foy said Banter would eliminate the need for residential and business clients “to pay costly line rental fees for landline numbers”.

Calls made using the service are charged at Blueface’s standard IP telephony rates, which it says are significantly cheaper than standard mobile rates, particularly when calling overseas. Its residential calls to the US cost 1.4 cent a minute. The service incurs an additional 14 cent charge to set up each call: the user dials a number and they first receive a call back from the Blueface network, which at the time automatically routes the call over the internet. The call back from Blueface costs 14 cent.

The Banter app is free to download from Apple’s app store nevertheless to use the service clients need to load a pre-paid account with credit. The app allows users see their remaining balance at any time.

The its network

Blueface has installed Vennetics J-Box into the its network and billing platform so that iPhone users can download the Banter app and create a new pre-paid account directly from their handset.