VoIP On iPhone Using EDGE Now Possible

Get ready for free VoIP calls on your iPhone. An Israeli company called Fring announced today that it started publicly testing an application for the iPhone called Fring, which allows users to make and receive calls using voice over IP technology. In case there’s any sort of misconception here, Fring bypasses any cellphone carrier and relies solely on an Internet connection to make a call.

But here’s the surprise. Fring allows users to make VoIP calls over 3G or EDGE connections, which is a huge deal. With Fring, all customers need would be a data subscription with their carrier (in case of the U.S., AT&T) and begin making those free calls. According to Fring, the application will dynamically adjust audio quality depending on the type of connection it detects.

This is a big deal for iPhone users, and even Apple itself. The partnership between Apple and AT&T as well as other carriers becomes almost meaningless. Most of the time, with available WiFi access points, you can connect and start making calls. Bypass those pesky long distance. According to Fring:

Make cheap local and international calls to landlines and regular mobile contacts using your SkypeOut account or hundreds of SIP-based providers such as Eutelia, GizmoProject, VoipCheap, VoipStunt, Free World & SIPNET over fring, even from non-SIP enabled handsets.

Fring is also an fabulous instant messenger. Fring supports all the popular IMs, including:

MSN ICQ Yahoo AIM Twitter Google Talk SIP Skype (supports SkypeOut)

Fring says:

This special pre-release version of fring, has been developed in conjunction with the Holon Institute of Technology academic research labs in response to iPhone users urging us to let them join the growing community of fringsters in over 180 countries worldwide. During the R&D period, we’ll be listening to feedback, so we can fine tune the final version and create a truly kicking user experience for iPhone users.

Using Fring on your iPhone requires it to be jailbroken. But the steps area easy. Fring includes instructions on how to install the application and get going. iPhone users who have Installer.app on their phone will have to update sources for Installer.app to see and install Fringcubator, the Fring client.