Guest Post:

Vopium has today launched its award winning mobile VoIP application in the Android Market. The application follows the recent launch of Vopium on the iPhone App StoreSM and BlackBerry App World™ and cements Vopium’s commitment to offering mobile users worldwide a cheaper, high quality international communications channel. Attached you will find our official press release, please publish this post on your blog with the minor adjustments as per your requirement.

Copenhagen and London, 18 May, 2009 – Vopium, the leading international mobile communications company, has today launched its award winning mobile VoIP application on the Android Market. The application follows the recent launch of Vopium on the iPhone App StoreSM and BlackBerry App World™ and cements Vopium’s commitment to offering mobile users worldwide a cheaper, high quality international communications channel.

To download the application, users simply search for Vopium in the Android Market. Once downloaded, Vopium seamlessly integrates with the address book and intelligently recognises international numbers, automatically re-routing calls via the Vopium gateway. Using 3G, GSM, and GPRS networks, Vopium ensures that all international calls are made using the cheapest method available while also preserving the highest level of call quality. Users who download and register Vopium from Android Market will receive 30 minutes of free calls and 30 free text messages (SMS).

Vopium CEO, Tanveer Sharif said “Vopium on Android adds another string to our bow and means that even more people across the world can now easily make cheaper international calls whilst also enjoying the same high call quality they are used to experiencing through their operators.”

Vopium: The Key Facts

• Vopium is compatible with more than 500 handsets across Java, Symbian, BlackBerry RIM, and Windows Mobile, as well as offering complete applications for the iPhone App StoreSM , BlackBerry App World™ and Android Market
• Vopium is free to download at www.vopium.com
• Vopium re-routes international calls as a local call to a Vopium gateway and then via global traffic carriers as ordinary voice traffic in order to ensure voice quality
• All new users are given 30 minutes of talk time and 30 international SMS for free
• Calling internationally with Vopium can result in up to 90 percent savings versus traditional carrier rates; for an overview of current pricing, visit: http://vopium.com/tariff
• Calls made through Vopium are always routed using the cheapest method while preserving the highest quality
• Vopium Wi-Fi users can call each other around the world for free
• Vopium users keep their own mobile number and SIM card, and maintain their numeric identity when making calls
• When a user calls from their home country, a local rate may be applied by their operator
• When calling from abroad a roaming charge will be applied by the subscriber’s operator
• Wi-Fi calls made with Vopium will not incur additional charges from a subscriber’s operator

About Vopium:

Vopium is a carrier-grade mobile telephony service designed to offer affordable and reliable international calls from any mobile handset. By using the Vopium application on their mobile to make calls from their home country, consumers and businesses alike can save up to 90% on international mobile and land-line calls. Unlike more restrictive mobile VoIP solutions, Vopium supports hundreds of handsets across Java, Symbian, RIM, Windows Mobile and iPhone. Vopium uses intelligent routing and connection technology which automatically and seamlessly delivers the lowest cost connection for any international call. Vopium has offices in London, Copenhagen, Luxembourg and Pakistan. Vopium was recently awarded the Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award. Vopium is listed on NYSE Euronext (MVLOP). To learn more, visit www.vopium.com

A guest post by Saeed Khan, Vopium.

“Vopium a Copenhagen based tech start up works with VoIP and GSM based technology, dedicated to help friends and families to keep in touch, regardless of where they are in the world. At the moment Vopium is available in 18 countries as further expansion is planned to provide premium call quality at much reduced costs covering over 180 international destinations.

Vopium solution works independent of networks or operators and is compatible with handsets in the market across Java, RIM, Symbian, Windows Mobile and iPhone. The reasons for Vopium’s acceptability are - it is simple, affordable and 100% mobile with support for over 500 phones. Vopium WiFi users can even make 100% free calls and avoid roaming charges when abroad. It also offers its new users 30 minutes free calls and 100 free SMS for trial..

In addition to that Vopium is the first mobile VoIP provider to offer mobile backup - a free service which allows Vopium customers to store their address book contacts and calendar securely online. Integrated with the Vopium application, Vopium Sync backs up a user’s contacts and calendar direct to their online Vopium account. If a user loses their phone, all they need to do is log on to their Vopium account and retrieve their saved contacts and calendar items. They can also log into their online account at any time and edit contacts and calendar items.

How to Get Vopium:

STEP 1 Register your phone
You register your phone by signing up or by sending an SMS with "Get" to +447781480717 SMS short codes

STEP 2 Download Vopium
You receive an SMS with a link to the application. You download by clicking on the link or opening it via options. The download typically takes less than a minute.

STEP 3 Start making FREE calls.You are now ready to try this new service. Vopium provides you with 30 FREE MINUTES to call any fixed line or mobile in the world.”

Check it out www.Vopium.com.

To: CEO of Vonage.

I'm a former Vonage customer (703-349-7118) and would like to raise my disappointment using the Vonage service.

I called in to cancel my account as I am not a happy customer because of continuous issue in my Vonage phone.

This message came from my activation notice (via e-mail):
A detailed online invoice is available through your Vonage Online Account. You will still have access to your call and billing history through your Online Account for up to 90 days after this cancellation.

Minutes, I've checked my account and no access already! That' fun.

I was talking to Mr. Ryan. I'm trying to raise my concern and cancel my service. He told me that I have to pay for the total of $92.48 for the termination fees and device. I said that I will return the device, I don't need it. He told me that if I read the Terms of Service, the termination fees apply. Wow, very convincing voice.

My issue is, I open my account last August 2008. The service did not work, I've spent hours trying to work this issue with the Technical support. From troubleshooting network cables, reset device, reset IP address, etc. He then decided to send another device. Waited for days. When I received the 2nd device (Vonage hub), we troubleshoot the same issue again, do the same process all over again. I figured out this is a firewall blocking the ports. I resolved this issue by adding the needed ports to my firewall. After couple of weeks, Vonage charged me for the 2nd device (Wow!).

You failed to provide a promised service on first try, then charged me for the 2nd device. Oh well, VONAGE will refund the device anyway. Well, I received the refund on October 10, 2008. This is almost 2 months in the making from August to October before I received my refund.
This is the worst part, I'm not a satisfied customer so I called Customer Service and spoke to Mr. Ryan (with attitude dealing with customer) to cancel my service. Then you slapped me with $92.48 to terminate my account. How sweet!

I prefer not to give Mr.Ryan and Ms.Sheena's fullname, I realized they have family to feed too. But I hope this served a wake up call.

I plan to file a formal complaint but decided to let go, and move along. Instead of sending this email to the Vonage's CEO, I decided to blog away.

Not so happy Vonage customer.
Emil @ KING.NET

Alternative cost effective VOIP Service:

• MagicJack saved dollar into my pocket $19.95/year Unlimited service. $59.95 locked for 5 years.
• http://www.lingo.com/ $21.95/month Chatter Box Unlimited including France, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Finland, Austria, Luxembourg, Norway, Vatican City, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and South Korea.
• http://www.packet8.net/ $24.99/month for Freedom Unlimited that's include calls to France, Italy, Ireland, Spain and United Kingdom and $29.99/month for Freedom Unlimted Global (40 countries)

Other articles to read:

• Whaddya know what VOIP Service is right for you e.g. Vonage, MagicJack or Skype.
• Gadget Tips: Skype and Team Speak
• A new instant messaging Goober in beta.

This is a follow of my previous post regarding Cost Effective VOIP for Home or Business Use.

Well, my first week of testing produced an excellent result. Let's review what I have for this VOIP test.

1. I have broadband cable, normal bandwidth varies from 1Mbps to 4Mbps. To be specific I'm using COX.NET Broadband Cable. I think this will work using COMCAST or VERIZON FIOS or other local internet broadband service.
2. I have Windows VISTA Operating System and keep in mind I've tested this VOIP using XP environment.
3. I have a Gateway Laptop Centrino Duo which I normally used to browse the Internet and conduct business.
4. The MagicJack USB is directly connected to one of my laptop's USD drive.

If you have a similar broadband access, this should work for you.

Now what saving I've got from using this service?
Before using MagicJack, I'm using VONAGE service of unlimited calls for $24.95 or $30.75 after taxes. This is $369 per year.

If you are using your local phone service e.g. Verizon, check your monthly bill and multiply this to 12 to get the per year cost. You will be shock to find out that you are paying way more as you compare this to VONAGE service.

Now, compare this to MagicJack for only $19.95 per year and one time fee of $39.95 plus shipping fee. To save even more, I will lock it for 5 years for only $59.95 (approximately $11.99 per year). Imagine using a unlimited nationwide phone service for $11.99 per year for 5 years. After 5 years, you price revert back to $19.95 per year.

I normally don't locked my service for 3 or more years (except for car payment). This service is an exception. There you go, it's up to you to decide whether you use this service or not.

Next article is testing this service using Sprint Wireless Broadband service. I assume it will work the same way, to see is to believe.

I just completed my test of MagicJack VOIP phone service. Before I start sharing my install and troubleshooting experience using this service, here's a few information before you begin reading this article.

If you plan to save your phone bill, this is a great solution for you. If you don't plan to save (who do not?), don't bother to read this article.

If you like Skype saving $ to your phone bills, you will love this product as well. If you are currently using Vonage for your residential, you will definitely like the cost saving of MagicJack.

Well I guess I covered the basic information.

I bought 2 MagicJack for work. I was able to register the first MagicJack without any glitch, it's a plug and play setup to my laptop. I was able to initiate and receive calls after 10-20 minutes of setup. I said wow! that's a great product.

The 2nd MagicJack is not as smooth as the first install, there are some glitch and I will explain in details.

I first installed the 2nd MagicJack to my laptop with Windows VISTA Operating System which is also supported according to their website. By the way, I think the website was designed poorly and need an intervention in my humble opinion. Well, I've seen worst web designed anyway so I will let this slip. Going back to the VISTA issue, I need to install a patch or upgrade for my VISTA operating system.

After the installation of patch for my Windows VISTA Operating System. I thought my misery is over, oops I'm running a firewall so I need to open ports. If you're not using a firewall, and most cable modem or broadband service install is set by default "OPEN". You should be able to start using your MagicJack VOIP service.

What ports to open to your firewall?
To save you some research work about firewall ports information, here's what you need to open.

You need to open ports between 5060 to 5070 using UDP protocol. After you add this to your Firewall policy, you should be able to initiate call.

By the way, if you're interested to know the VONAGE ports to use. Here's the port lists:
VONAGE_SIP port number 5061 UDP protocol
VONAGE_NTP port number 123 UDP protocol
VONAGE_TFTP port number 2400 UDP protocol
VONAGE_RTP port number 10000 to 20000 UDP protocol

Going back to testing MagicJack phone. After setting up my firewall policy, I was able to initiate a call to the outside world ... yipeee! Test receiving call ... ops it didn't work "the number cannot be reach". I've checked my connection, everything seems to be working properly. I tried moving MagicJack to another laptop with XP operating system, same result. Check the Internet to get some information to resolve this issue failed as well. By the way, BEWARE to visit some websites aside MagicJack (and My.King.Net) posting to offer solution. After visiting their websites, my anti-virus application start showing malware program trying to access my workstation. Tsk!

So I surfed MagicJack.com website to find their customer live support via chat. Believe me, looking for this information to their website is a challenge. I was looped many times before I even get to start a chat session.

Well the bright side is Lira (2nd level of support) from the live support was able to help me resolved this issue. To make the troubleshooting story short, she asked me to change my phone through My.MagicJack.com portal. Login using your email address e.g. my e-mail @king.net and password. Click on "change my number", this is for the first time. Unplug your MagicJack USB connection to your computer or reset through MagicJack softphone to re-initiate your connection. You should be able to see the new phone number if your MagicJack device was reset properly.

Viola, after changing phone number I was able to receive calls.

I ordered another one for my residential phone to replace my VONAGE phone. No need a brain surgery to decide, I'm paying $24.95 ($30 including taxes) per month for unlimited service for VONAGE compare to $19.95 per year for MagicJack. You do the math. I might also consider getting the $59.95 for 5 years Platinum plan to save even more.

At the end of the day, you will decide for your own and good luck to you.

CONS:
- You computer must be up 24/7 to use your VOIP service

REFERENCES:
- MagicJack.com
- Comparing VOIP Service

Share your thought.

What VOIP service is right for you? Here's a short list of advantages of getting what services or package you can get from these vendors. I just want to share what I know, you can use this as know how information before you decide what to get.


Here’s a quick comparison.

Vonage:

• Phone Handset: Yes – Stand Alone
• Security Concern: Encrypted
• Installation: Plug the device to the network. Vonage Customer Service needs to activate the MAC address of the device. Normally it shipped pre-configured. No software updates needed.
• Customer Service: Available 1-800 number to call for assistance
• Price is $49.95 one-time fee for device. $24.95 /month recurring fee
• Similar Products: Packet8, Now cable companies offer the same service such as COX, Comcast, Verizon FIOS
• In my humble opinion.: Vonage service is reliable VOIP service for residential. You can call the 1-800Number for technical assistance if you have phone issue.
  

MagicJack:

• Phone Handset: Yes – device must connect to the USB workstation or laptop then to your Phone handset
• Security Concern: Reserves the right to monitor the numbers dialed to tailor ads
• Installation: Easy install. Plug the USB device to the compute, it will install the software for you, then connect the phone handset to the other end. Automatically pull software updates.
• Customer Service: You get online chat customer service only.
• Price: $39.95 one-time fee for device. $19.95 per year recurring fee.
• Similar Products: Jalah, Talkster, Rebtel, Mobivox, etc.
• In my humble opinion: If you’re not concern about privacy and no live customer service. Save $ to your pocket.

Skype In/Out:

• Phone Handset: No – through headset, microphone and speaker. Yes – thorough Skype Go subscription service
• Security Concern: Encrypted
• Installation: Download file, installation of software. Skype reminds for software updates.
• Customer Service: Forum, Search Knowledgebase and through your Skype account.
• Price: Optional Skype WIFI Phone for $99.95, $2.95 per month for US and Canada, and $9.95 per month for Unlimited World Plan.
• Similar Products: Jalah, Talkster, Rebtel, Mobivox, etc.
• In my humble opinion: Good for business communication if the other party is also using Skype. A good alternative for residential phone. Using a headset and mike is recommended.

Visit their respective website for additional information. Share your thoughts.

Thank you.

Ok I've changed my phone service from Verizon to Vonage to save some $ to my pocket. The setup takes a while due to my firewall configuration preventing Vonage to establish connection.