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 (VoIP) calls using a standard mobile network.

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 customers to transfer their existing landline phone number so that it rings on their mobile. Users are also 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 customers “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 then 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 but to use the service customers need to load a pre-paid account with credit. The app allows users see their remaining balance at any time.

Calls can be sent over any mobile network or while the customer is connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The new service uses an implementation of the voice call control interface, which is part of the latest version of the GSM Association’s OneAPI specifications.

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.

While the app is installed users can continues to make and receive calls over their mobile network in the normal way.

Mr Foy said Blueface and Vennetics planned to launch the service in other countries where local service providers will be able to offer it with their own branding.

The partnership between Dublin-based Blueface and Dundalk-headquartered Vennetics recently won the North/South Collaboration Award at the Irish TimesInnovation Awards 2011.