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www.voip-news.comBy Robert Poe
Some mobile-VoIP providers use VoIP all the way to the mobile handset, transporting voice calls in IP packets over the cellular-data network. Calls can be cheap or even free, but the service can antagonize cellular carriers, which don't like to see their data networks full of traffic that takes away from their voice revenues. Other providers transport calls over the cellular-voice network to their gateways and only then put them onto a VoIP network. That still lowers international long-distance charges, but it cuts down on conflict with carriers. Raketu offers both options within the same account. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use them.
Setup
You can get started by directing your mobile-Web browser to the appropriate Raketu site. You can use the generic www.raketu.mobi, but a better choice is one optimized for your handset, such as blackberry.raketu.com, iphone.raketu.com, nokia.raketu.com or mobile.raketu.com, the last being for Windows Mobile devices. Once there, enter the Raketu ID, nickname and password you'd like to use, along with your email address. Click Submit to register and log in.
The first thing you will want to do is, of course, buy credits. You can choose prepayment amounts of $9.95, $24.95 or $49.95. Simply enter your credit-card data and you're ready to start calling. When you return to the home page, it will display how much calling credit you have. Additionally, for the first three months new members receive 1,200 free minutes per month to 40 countries. You can also import address-book information from various sources, fill in your profile and other information if you wish.
Phone-to-Phone Calls
Most likely you'll want to start by making phone-to-phone calls, which Raketu calls RakWeb calls. To do so, you need to enter two numbers in the form on the home page. The first is the call-from number, which will already be populated with your phone number. The second is the call-to number you're trying to reach, which you can enter manually or choose from your address book. After clicking the Call button, your phone will ring. When you answer, the phone of your call-to number will ring and your call will begin. Alternatively, you can launch a call by sending an SMS text message to a special Raketu number. The message need only contain your Raketu ID, PIN, call-from number and call-to number. A few seconds after you send it, your phone will ring to initiate the call as before.
Pure-VoIP Calls
Making an all-IP, or pure-VoIP, call — the equivalent of a Skype Ltd. Web-based call — requires downloading client software to your handset. The software is currently available only for Windows Mobile devices, though Nokia Symbian and iPhone versions are in the works, according to Raketu CEO Greg Parker. Making a mobile pure-VoIP call, which travels over the cellular-data network, costs nothing if it is to another mobile or desktop Raketu-VoIP user. You can also use the client to make mobile RakOut calls — the equivalent of SkypeOut calls — which naturally cost money. And you can choose to make RakWeb phone-to-phone calls from within the mobile-client application.
Pricing
Raketu phone-to-phone prices are in line with those of other services. Here are the costs per minute, in U.S. cents, for calls from the U.S. to landline and mobile numbers, respectively, in a representative selection of countries: Argentina 2.7/6.7; Australia 2.7/12.4; Brazil 2.5/13.3; China 2.6/2.8; Germany 2.4/17.9; Hong Kong 2.9/2.5; India 8.0/7.8; Japan 3.6/12.4; Philippines 13.9/15.8; Russia 1.7/5.4; and the U.K. 2.4/16.0.
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