Latest Podcast



Featured Articles

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Vopium puts a friendly face on mobile VoIP

Mark Bridge writes:

Voice over IP – the ability to make phone calls over the internet - is a topic we covered in our first-ever podcast five years ago. At times it promised to change the way we used mobile phones... so what’s been happening?

I’ve been talking to Tanveer Sharif, CEO and co-founder of international call service Vopium, to learn more.

I started by asking Tanveer why Voice over IP and mobile VoIP hadn’t disrupted our usage of fixed line and mobile networks.

“Well, honestly speaking, I’m not sure if it has not happened. What you’re seeing is a migration from fixed-line phones to mobile, that’s the first thing happening. Second thing you’re seeing is that a lot of communication is now happening on mobiles and mobile apps, in the sense that people are chatting or they’re on Twitter or IM. So I’m seeing that a lot of the migration has taken place.”

“I think what people have had problems with is to figure out ‘what is mobile VoIP?’ and - at the end of the day - Voice over IP is just a technology. And that is underneath, that is changing. A lot of the technology used today, even with major mobile carriers, is actually IP-based telephony.”

Even today’s increasingly tech-savvy consumers aren’t really bothered about VoIP, Tanveer said. “I think Voice over IP companies have spent too much time trying to explain the technology to consumers but, at the end of the day, the consumer doesn’t care as long as his call is getting through, he’s getting the right price and the quality is fine.”

Our conversation went on to cover the services offered by Vopium - “we want to give more features to people than just the voice or the call” - along with the company’s growth and its user numbers. Currently, around 15,000 new users register with Vopium every day. Tanveer also talked about the challenge of converting ‘free’ users into paying customers, the recent Microsoft takeover of Skype, call charges and the challenges of meeting international legislation.

You can listen to the full interview with Tanveer Sharif from Vopium on our website audio player, via iTunes or by downloading the MP3 file.
Print
Author: The Fonecast
1 Comments
Rate this article:
No rating

Categories: Networks and operators, Applications, OpinionNumber of views: 8854

Tags: voip vopium

1 comments on article "Vopium puts a friendly face on mobile VoIP"

1
0
Avatar image

Cindy Valenciano

8/19/2011 7:02 AM

“I think Voice over IP companies have spent too much time trying to explain the technology to consumers but, at the end of the day, the consumer doesn’t care as long as his call is getting through, he’s getting the right price and the quality is fine.”

I totally agree. I don't care HOW it works, just that it works. Since my family is spread out all over the world (we're Filipino so we are everywhere LOL!) it's important to have a cheap or free way to call. We did a lot of shopping for VOIP services and settled on a company based in the Philippines called MOBIP. It works on all our phones (different kinds and different carriers) and I can use it on WiFi when I'm out of the country and can't access a partner network. The thing I love is that we just paid for the application for each phone (like $20 each) and we call each other for free with no monthly fees or anything. Sometimes when I'm traveling I have to call back to my office and it's really cheap. I'm based in the UK now and it's 4 cents per minute to call back but only 2 cents to call my friend in Canada (she hasn't gotten the mobip yet).

I think you should review this one. THanks for the article here though, it helps for my college paper, needed some good quotes.

Oh, BTW you can find mobip at www.mymobip.net

pretty awesome.

Leave a comment

This form collects your name, email, IP address and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. For more info check our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use where you will get more info on where, how and why we store your data.
Add comment

Opinion Articles

Why the cloud will kill SMS text messages... eventually

Mark Bridge writes:

This week my lovely wife made a rare error in leaving her mobile phone behind when she left the house. Fortunately I was working at home, so I was able to answer her calls and relay her messages. But it got me thinking. What were the alternatives?

Author: The Fonecast
1 Comments
Article rating: No rating

This week at The Fonecast: 1st May 2011

Mark Bridge writes:

We've had another short working week here in the UK... although not necessarily if you're working in retail. The reason for that shortness was a combination of Easter Monday and the Royal Wedding – an event that was rumoured to have its own mobile phone jammer.

As well as having another short week, we've also had another week of financial figures.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

This week at The Fonecast: 23rd April 2011

Mark Bridge writes:

It’s Easter, but that’s not stopped the mobile phone industry from generating plenty of news stories.

Let’s start with partnerships. Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom - which already work together as Everything Everywhere in the UK – have now agreed to combine their procurement activities for customer equipment, network equipment, service platforms and IT infrastructure. Yes, even these two telecoms giants can save money with group buying!

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Exactly how boring is the Samsung Galaxy II S?

Mark Bridge writes:

In July last year I wrote about the 'geek porn' of unboxing being taken to a new level with celebrity unboxing (which sounds rather like a challenge from a reality TV show).

Sony Ericsson had persuaded Maria Sharapova to give her first impressions of the X10 Mini Pro. The end result was entertaining, if not insightful.

And now Samsung have added a new facet to the trend with 'extreme unboxing'.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

This week at The Fonecast: 16th April 2011

Mark Bridge writes:

We started this week with a story that grabbed plenty of attention. It was a report from Billmonitor.com that claimed we in the UK were wasting almost £5 billion every year by choosing the wrong mobile tariffs. Although I remained a little cynical about some of the detail, there's no doubt that many consumers could be better off if they switched tariff - or even network.

Author: The Fonecast
1 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS
First7576777880828384Last

Recent Podcasts

Reviewing our 2015 mobile industry predictions... and looking forward to 2016

Podcast - 15th January 2016

Iain Graham, James Rosewell and Mark Bridge return to review their mobile industry predictions from last year. Which mergers, partnerships and developments did they forecast correctly... and which didn’t work out as planned?

Later in the programme, the team anticipates some of the topics that will be hitting the headlines during 2016.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Podcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Podcast - 6th March 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Looking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

Podcast - 27th February 2015

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Interview with Chris Millington of Doro about mobile retailing, wearables and technology for older consumers

Podcast - 24th February 2015

In today's programme Mark Bridge talks to Chris Millington, who's Managing Director for Doro UK and Ireland.

They discuss the state of mobile retailing in the UK, the future of wearable devices and - as you might expect - smartphones for seniors.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

A month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

Podcast - 30th January 2015

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS
12345678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Twitter @TheFonecast RSS podcast feed
Find us on Facebook Subscribe free via iTunes

Archive Calendar

«November 2024»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
28293031123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
2526272829301
2345678

Archive

Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement