Truphone brings VoIP to the iPhone

UK VoIP provider Truphone has managed to get its client into the Apple store, though the application won't make calls over the 3G network and calls it does make won't be free. Truphone, a company with aspirations towards becoming a real telco, demonstrated VoIP running on an iPhone back in September last year, but back then …

[Mark W]

That's if they can use their iPhone

Looks like Apple have pulled a Microsoft today and released V2.0 software for the iPhone which seems to have bricked thousands of phones due to the update having to re-activate their handsets and the activation system within Apple being down.

Just take a look at the Apple Discussions forum. Interesting reading :)

Glad I've not done my PiePhone update yet. Seems like Job's jesus phone has just been crucified what with O2 not being able to enable handsets. Scuppered by their own DRM!!

[Neil Hoskins]

VoIP for Numpties

Truphone is probably better suited to the iPhone, since it's very easy to set up and use. On the downside, it's 3p per minute to landlines. Alternatively, you could get a Nokia , get into the SIP settings, and set up something like VoipFone, at 1.175p per minute; admittedly a task probably beyond most fanboy's capabilities.

[bygjohn]

Am I missing the point?

Erm... to get the iPhone you sign up to a calling plan, all of which in the UK include free any network/any time minutes. All but the cheapest plan offer hundreds of such minutes. So why on Earth would you want to faff around with VoIP and pay 3p/min to call landlines instead of using your hundreds of free minutes?

I could just about see it for cheap international calls, but otherwise aren't we forgeting that the iPhone (and other smartphones) are actually *phones*, so they do make calls without any help from third parties?

[Anonymous Coward]

S60...

i'll stick with my N95 free VoIP over 3G thanks.... thanks to the 3 network being more open

and friendly. thanks to Nokia being more open and friendly.

[Steve]

@bygjohn: Thank god it's not just me!

It has to be said I've always been somewhat confused by peoples insistance on trying to run VoIP over 3G. The only thing I could think of that it may improve is calling abroad, but hells teeth, there's even plenty of sim cards aimed at that these days.

[Anonymous Coward]

Truphone on the iPhone - free calls

BTW - VoIP calls to other Truphone users and associated SIP VoIP destinations are untariffed, i.e. free to call.

[James Body]

VoIP over WiFi vs VoIP over 3G

Using VoIP to make calls over WiFi is preferable in almost all scenarios in preference to VoIP over 3G - power consumption is considerably less and network performance (packet loss, latency and jitter) tends to be better too.

Using Truphone to make calls over WiFi make really good sense for international globetrotter (like me!) - as it is possible to quickly and easily make calls from your iPhone without the fear and horror of the international roaming bill! When was the last time you stayed in a hotel without WiFi?

[Mark Robertson]

What about iCall? Where for art thou? ;)

I noticed that the calls weren't very cheap even compared to my AT&T plan I have here in the states. My problem is poor cell signal at home but not wifi. I've considered Magic Jack but decided to wait and maybe try iCall for the iPhone or perhaps someone else in the coming months.