AT&T Releases iPhone App for VoIP International Calls

Looking for a less expensive way to call overseas? AT&T now provides a solution in their own Call International iPhone app, available for free on the App Store. Calling from the US using the app requires no recurring monthly charge, contract commitment or prepaid balance. According to AT&T the rates offered when using Call International are their lowest available.

Contacts can be dialed directly from your iPhone Contacts list without entering any codes or PIN numbers to call. Calls are billed directly the credit card associated with your Call International account. This account can be set up directly within the Call International app on your iPhone. So what are the advantages of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calling?

FaceTime and Skype both use VoIP calling to connect users. When it comes to Skype, the service was only allowed to make calls using the cellular data network starting in 2010. Earlier this change, Apple restricted VoIP applications to Wi-Fi only. FaceTime is currently limited to video calling, which as AppleInsider notes is probably a deliberate move by Apple to make wireless carriers less angry. AT&T is however dependent on charging subscribers for standard voice plans, not to mention other services like text messaging.