fring

Fring is an exclusively Mobile VOIP service that enables free mobile calling between Fring users. Fring is currently available through WiFi, GPRS, EDGE or 3G services on Windows Mobile, Symbian, and iPhone handsets. In addition to calling other Fring users you can use such platforms as Skype, GoogleTalk, MSN Messenger, SIP and Twitter to message or call for free. Users can make calls using a non-phone WiFi device if they choose. Fring has a real time contact availability feature which allows you to see who is online before you call them.

Unlike many other mVOIP clients, Fring never charges for their service. jajah, a competitor, only bridges normal mobile calls with VOIP. This cuts down on long distance costs, but still forces users to use up their minutes. Although not charging users directly, jajahs bridged calls still cost minutes. Fring, however, works completely on your data plan or WiFi. All costs associated with a Fring call are for data transfer (which would be free with an unlimited data plan) or SkypeOut/SIP calls to non-Fring users.

Although VOIP voice quality is improved on PCs, it is a concern for mVOIP clients. Latency is an immediate worry for Fring and its competitors barablu, jajah, Skype, ConnectMeAnywhere and others in the area.