Voxofon
Encyclopedia
VOXOFON is a VoIP telephony service for making and receiving international phone calls. Voxofon blends earlier VoIP technology with newer technology so callers can use a land line, a computer, cell phone or smart phone.
VOXOFON offers an Internet-based calling card-type service for people who are used to the older methods of international calling, plus phone to phone calling, PC to phone calling and phone calls through the Google toolbar. A virtual phone line can also be established in 54 different countries, making it possible for people to make an international call via a local number. VOXOFON also provides customers with international SMS text messaging.
VOXOFON has recently begun offering smart phone applications, beginning with an application for the Android platform on the T-Mobile G1 phone, and for Palm Pre on October 28, 2009. The application becomes a part of the phone and re-routes international calls automatically. Similar applications are available for the iPhone and BlackBerry. Voxofon has also released an application for Microsoft's Windows Phone 7
, however it uses the phone's voice channel, and not VoIP.
VOXOFON offers an Internet-based calling card-type service for people who are used to the older methods of international calling, plus phone to phone calling, PC to phone calling and phone calls through the Google toolbar. A virtual phone line can also be established in 54 different countries, making it possible for people to make an international call via a local number. VOXOFON also provides customers with international SMS text messaging.
VOXOFON has recently begun offering smart phone applications, beginning with an application for the Android platform on the T-Mobile G1 phone, and for Palm Pre on October 28, 2009. The application becomes a part of the phone and re-routes international calls automatically. Similar applications are available for the iPhone and BlackBerry. Voxofon has also released an application for Microsoft's Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, and is the successor to its Windows Mobile platform, although incompatible with it. Unlike its predecessor, it is primarily aimed at the consumer market rather than the enterprise market...
, however it uses the phone's voice channel, and not VoIP.
Background
- VOXOFON, a privately owned corporation founded in February 2008, is headquartered in Houston, TX, USA.
- August 18, 2008 VOXOFON was officially launched to the public after six months of testing.
- October 22, 2008 VOXOFON was included by VoIP News in an article on the best services to use during the economic downturn.
- September 30, 2008 VOXOFON was first to announce a mobile VoIP application for Android, Google's open-source handset platform.
- January 14, 2009 VOXOFON announced its new BlackBerry application.
- October 28, 2009 VOXOFON's Palm Pre app is offered through Palm's app catalog.
- October 21, 2010 VOXOFON VoIP calling and messaging application is on Windows Phone 7 at launch.
Phone to phone calling
Using a computer or wireless phone, VOXOFON users can enter in their own telephone number and a destination number, then click a call button to connect.Calling card
Callers can use their account at Voxofon.com as a calling card by dialing an access number from their phone then entering their account PIN code and the destination phone number.Virtual numbers
VOXOFON offers virtual phone numbers in 54 countries. Calls to the virtual numbers can be forwarded to a phone anywhere in the world. The person calling the virtual number is not charged international rates but is charged what they normally would be for a local call.Mobile VOXOFON
VOXOFON services can be accessed from most mobile devices. Special applications are available for the T-Mobile G1 phone, iPhone, BlackBerry and Palm Pre. On both the T-Mobile G1 phone and BlackBerry, international calls are handled automatically with the application becoming a part of the phone. When an international call is detected, a window appears, listing the different options for completing the call.SMS text messaging
Using VOXOFON over a computer or mobile device, SMS text messages can be sent to 700 networks in 200 countries.Phone calls from Google toolbar
A VOXOFON custom button can be added to Google Toolbar so that phone calls can be made directly from the toolbar.Sources
- Azevedo, Mary Ann. Houston firm rings up option for international wireless calls, Houston Business Journal, December 26, 2009
- Poe, Robert. "15 Ways to Use VoIP to Save Money During the Downturn" VOIP-News. October 22, 2008
- Kostek, Jessica. "As Economy Tanks, Consumers Turn to Web-Based Calling" TMCnet. October 29, 2008
- Shanbhag, Jyothi. "VOXOFON Intros New BlackBerry(TM) Application for International Calls" TMCnet. January 15, 2009