AT&T Launches Its Own VOIP App

AT&T said Tuesday that the company had designed a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) app that will allow AT&T mobile users to call overseas at low rates.

The free AT&T Call International App app is available for Android, all iPhone models and the RIM BlackBerry platforms. AT&T has as well published a list of supported devices.

Bit depending on the country that a user is calling

AT&T's rates vary quite a bit depending on the country that a user is calling, on the whole: calls to China are just 4 cents a minute for landlines and mobiles, and just 9 cents per minute apiece for landlines and mobiles in India. Nevertheless calls to the United Kingdom are 4 cents per minute for landlines and a whopping 27 cents per minute to mobiles, with similar disparities for other countries. AT&T's rates for the app are here.

The app was developed by 8x8, which began life as a manufacturer of home personal videoconferencing devices, however branched out when that market failed to take off. AT&T does not officially support Skype on its phones, one of the more popular VOIP apps.

AT&T said that users who download the app can use their minutes during in the United States. When traveling abroad, nevertheless, AT&T suggested that users connect to Wi-Fi and use that connection to establish the VOIP link. Users at the time need to dial the international number and call.

However, roaming charges apply for any calls received during overseas, AT&T said, as they will come in over the cellular network.

VOIP apps are as well available from companies like Vonage, which offers its free Extensions app for Android and iOS. Users who pay for a Vonage plan can extend that plan to their mobile phone for free, and take advantage of it. Vonage's $25.99/mo world plan includes free calling for 60 countries, including free calling to mobile phones in ten countries.