Vonage today launched applications for the iPhone and BlackBerry, bringing low-cost calling for cell phones. The calls go over wi-fi signals, but when wi-fi isn’t available (or when cell coverage is available), Vonage calls take up local minutes.
With cell phone plans so inexpensive these days, it’s tempting to wonder why this is such a big deal. Two reasons:
If you make a lot of international calls, the Vonage calling plan is no doubt far less expensive than that of your cell phone provider.
If you’re using Vonage for your office line then you’re now able to roam the world, untethered, without missing your business calls or worrying about call forwarding.
Why use Vonage for iPhone rather than the Skype app? The iPhone app for Skype is limited to areas where Wi-Fi is available. When you make a Skype call while in cell range, you’re always using your minutes – local or long-distance.
There are differences in how the application works on both iPhone and BlackBerry. When you’re on the iPhone you need to open the Vonage application every time you want to use it. A BlackBerry, in contrast, will automatically revert to the Vonage rates over the wireless provider’s every time an international number is dialed.
It’s a major coup for the untethered, and those who want to cut the cords without breaking the lines of communication.
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