Free calls from your cellphone using VoIP

With the latest movement towards VoIP calling to reduce monthly airtime charges, we’re seeing an increasing number of services which aim at delivering alternatives to burning your minutes. What with cellphone plans often offering unlimited data plans (I can’t remember the last time I was billed on a per KB basis), who wouldn’t want to use their data connection for voice calls?

So, if you’re interested in pinching some pennies and making every dollar count in regards to your current cellphone plan (airtime + data), check out any one of the service below which hope to curb your airtime usage. In order to accomplish this, many service require that users download and install a unique client for dialing numbers over existing high speed data connections (3G, EVDO, HSDPA, etc).

• Fringe – Oddly enough, Fringe decided to drop us a line concerning their service citing the fact that the email was merely an update to a previous post in which we had covered the service. Unfortunately, I can’t recall ever posting anything about the service. Spam? Maybe. Regardless, we’ll probably let this one slide because of the service itself. Using your existing data connection, Nokia (Symbian) users can make and receive calls over the net to normal lines, Skype, and Google Talk users without burning minutes.
• Eqo – Mobile IM and Mobile VoIP. The core of Eqo relies on Skype for making and receiving instant messages and VoIP calls. In order to use the service, users will need to install a Skype plugin. The plugin assumes that you run Skype on a desktop computer at home in order to redirect calls to the Eqo client on your handset. I’ve given this service a try using OS X (Desktop) & a Blackberry 8703e (Client). Results were, how should I say this..? Shoddy? Skype instant messages sent and receiving worked flawlessly. However, consistent voice-calls were inconsistent (at best). Make sure you turn-off your volume on your home computer unless you’re OK with someone else listening in on your calls.
• Jajah (Mobile) – Looking to save money by bypassing additional fees incurred due to certain dialing restrictions on you handset? Jajah will ring both parties specified connecting the two while saving money for both users. Although this alternative is not a client which completes calls over a data connection, Jajah does alleviate some of the normal costs incurred had the call(s) been made by dialing directly.

There are a handful of other similar services. If you know of any others worth mentioning, or have additional experiences worth sharing, let us know. Rumor has it that Skype & Symbian are currently mixing things up offering a true Skype client for Symbian powered handsets. I can’t wait for a true Skype client for wide accessibility compatible with a wider variety of handsets is made available.