No, it’s not done with smoke and mirrors.
Nimbuzz is using Voxbone’s (News - Alert) telephone numbers and origination services in order to allow users to make VoIP calls when handsets can’t find a 3G or WiFi network. This is done by automatically dialing the Voxbone access number over a 2/2.5G connection.
Tobias Kemper, Nimbuzz head of communications: “We wanted Nimbuzz to be a truly mass-market application, not one limited to this mobile platform, or that chat/calling network, or a particular click sequence. By adding the DID numbers supplied by Voxbone, we can provide reliable mobile VoIP outside of Internet range and over 2G networks in over 50 countries, with any Internet-enabled handset and no change in user behavior.”
Nimbuzz is an all-in-one mobile voice/chat/messaging service that runs on all Internet-capable mobile phones as well as PCs (and the Mac very soon). The service detects when the handset is out of WiFi (News - Alert) or 3G range: it steps in and requests permission to automatically dial a local access number and route the call over the Internet. These calls are free except for the low charge (if any) to the local access number from the operator. The Nimbuzz software client determines the correct access number to dial from the user’s Nimbuzz profile.
Currently growing at a rate of over 750,000 sign-ups per month and operating in 200 countries, Nimbuzz combines the services of mobile VoIP, chat, location, file sharing and MMS under one application. It works across popular communities and social networks, including Skype, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ, GoogleTalk, AIM, Facebook (News - Alert) and MySpace. Nimbuzz VoIP also reaches PSTN phones through Skype-Out, using any of ten third-party VoIP services (including Skype). A full phone keypad is part of its interface, along with the multi-service buddy list.
It’s worth checking this one out. The service is compatible with 95 percent of global Top 20 handsets in every country. It’s the only mobile social messaging aggregator to win the Red Herring Global 100 award. And it was voted the “Best Converged Solution” at Mobile News Awards 2009.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.
Bob Emmerson is TMC's (News - Alert) European Editor. To stay abreast of the latest news affecting the European market, check out Bob's columnist page.
Edited by Michael Dinan
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