Both Barrels Communications Ltd

Truphone available in US and UK and at launch in Germany and Austria

Truphone today announced the immediate free availability of its Truphone Anywhere application for Android-enabled mobile handsets, including T-Mobile’s recently released G1 phone. The application is available now as a download from the Android Market in the UK and the US.

To coincide with T-Mobile’s announcement earlier this week of the availability of the G1 mobile phone in March 2009, a German version of Truphone Anywhere for Android is available and will be the first native language multi-communications application in the Android Market in Germany and Austria when it launches at CeBIT 2009.

Truphone Anywhere for Android delivers an all-in-one conversations hub that allows customers to take advantage of Truphone’s low international call rates, in addition to the cost of a local call*.

As well as being able to make low-cost international voice calls, Truphone customers can also easily Instant Message their friends across a variety of networks including MSN, Yahoo!, Google Talk and Twitter from within one Android application. Customers can also call friends anywhere in the world on Google Talk for the price of a local call, and similarly will soon will be able to Instant Message and call their friends on Skype.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to have conversations with their communities around the world in whatever form they choose,” said Truphone CEO Geraldine Wilson.

She continued: “We passionately believe in devices like the Android and iPhone which offer easy user access to applications through the Android Market and the App Store in Apple’s iTunes. The G1 and the entire Android platform is an obvious and important distribution channel for us.”

Truphone is now available on Android, the Apple iPhone, the Apple iPod touch, Blackberry and Nokia devices.

[ends]

* Operator roaming charges apply if the caller is abroad.

Notes to editors

1. Screenshots: Truphone Anywhere on a T-Mobile G1 handset
2. Truphone Anywhere works in 33 countries around the world, saving Android users from those countries money on international calls made from their home country. The easy-to-use service works alongside domestic service providers, but reduces international call costs to as little as £0.03/$0.06 [UK/RoW] per minute.
3. Unlike a ‘calling card’, Truphone Anywhere doesn’t require a user to remember what to do. Whenever an international number is dialled Truphone Anywhere simply asks whether he/she wants to make a Truphone call. The user simply accepts, and Truphone connects the call.

Apple and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the United States and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. Skype is a registered trademark of Skype Limited. In the United States and/or other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Truphone is a trademark of Software Cellular Network Ltd. Google and Android Market are trademarks of Google Inc. Skype and SkypeIn are trademarks of Skype Limited. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Truphone today debuted the ability to make and receive Skype™ calls and instant messaging to the entire Skype user base from its iPhone™ and iPod touch™ applications. The service is scheduled to be available to all customers during the week of January 12th.

This represents one more step toward making Truphone the open “all-in-one conversations hub” for iPhone and iPod touch users.

Truphone customers on both Apple devices can now reach their Skype friends via their Skype IDs. This further expands the universe of people with whom Truphone customers can stay in touch.

Separately, Truphone also announced today the availability of well-known instant-messaging services using the Truphone application on the iPod touch™ and the iPhone™.

“The introduction of Skype calling and instant messaging represents yet another breakthrough for Truphone,” said Geraldine Wilson, Truphone CEO. “What this means for Truphone’s customers is that they can now call or message all their Skype friends using their iPhone or iPod touch. This allows iPhone and iPod touch users to have a choice in how they stay in touch with friends and colleagues around the world—all within the one application.”

Truphone-to-Skype communications are free over the internet, and iPhone users can also place and receive Skype calls and messages when not in a Wi-Fi-accessible location for the cost of a local call*, using the Truphone Anywhere feature.

Today’s announcement was made at “ShowStoppers @ Macworld 2009” [San Francisco, USA] and will be showcased on the Truphone stand (#3228) at Macworld for the remainder of the week.

[ends]

*Operator roaming charges will apply if users are abroad.

Additional resources

• Screenshots – iPhone
  
• Screenshots – iPod touch
• Truphone web site
• Current Truphone pricing
• Geraldine Wilson – alternative picture

Notes to editors

1. Skype reports more than 300 million downloads of its software. Typically, upwards of 13 million users may be online at any one time.
2. Both Truphone for iPhone and Truphone for iPod touch are free to download from the App Store. Neither application has any rental, subscription or other hidden charges.
3. Making a Truphone call on an iPhone or iPod touch couldn’t be simpler: Truphone displays a virtual keypad for dialling the number.
4. Wi-Fi hotspots are commonplace in offices, schools, campuses, at home, and even across entire town and city centres. Truphone uses the Wi-Fi connectivity of the iPhone/iPod touch to carry instant messages over the internet to its destination.

Apple and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the United States and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. Skype is a registered trademark of Skype Limited. In the United States and/or other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Truphone is a trademark of Software Cellular Network Ltd. Skype and SkypeIn are trademarks of Skype Limited. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Truphone today introduced full two-way instant messaging over MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk on the iPod touch™ and also announced that availability on the iPhone™ would begin the week of January 12th.

Customers can also make and receive voice calls on Google Talk; calling functionality will be added to MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger in the coming weeks.

Truphone has also integrated Twitter into the TruFriends view so users can see what friends are talking about and post from within the Truphone application.

“We understand that customers increasingly want more integrated communications and like to switch between chat and voice,” said Truphone CEO Geraldine Wilson. “With these new features, Truphone customers can now choose which mode of communications they want to use at any moment—all from within the one application. This represents another step towards making Truphone the open ‘all-in-one conversations hub’ for iPhone and iPod touch users.”

Separately, Truphone also announced today the introduction of Skype calling and instant messaging when using the Truphone application on the iPhone and iPod touch.

Customers of Truphone for both the iPhone and iPod touch can now very simply import all their contacts from these accounts to Truphone and chat with them from the Truphone interface. The Truphone client on both devices shows who is online with its built-in presence functionality.

Instant messages are always free of charge to send and receive when in a Wi-Fi environment. iPhone users can also instant message when out of Wi-Fi range; data charges will be covered in the customers unlimited data package*. Truphone will also add the same functionality to other leading instant messaging services throughout the year.

Today’s announcement was made at “ShowStoppers @ Macworld 2009” and will be showcased on the Truphone booth (#3228) at Macworld for the remainder of the week.

[ends]

*Operator roaming charges will apply when abroad and not using a Wi-Fi network.

Links and resources

• Screenshots – iPod touch
• Screenshots – iPhone
• Truphone press office
• Truphone web site
• Current pricing

Notes to editors

1. Both Truphone for iPhone and Truphone for iPod touch are free to download from the App Store. Neither application has any rental, subscription or other hidden charges.
2. Making a Truphone call on an iPhone or iPod touch couldn’t be simpler: Truphone displays a virtual keypad for dialling the number.
3. Wi-Fi hotspots are commonplace in offices, schools, campuses, at home, and even across entire town and city centres. Truphone uses the Wi-Fi connectivity of the iPhone/iPod touch to carry instant messages over the Internet to their destinations.

Apple and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the United States and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. Google Talk is a trademark of Google Inc. Google Talk is not a telephony service and cannot be used for emergency dialling. Microsoft and Windows Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Yahoo and Yahoo Messenger are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Yahoo Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Truphone is a trademark of Software Cellular Network Ltd. Skype and SkypeIn are trademarks of Skype Limited. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Truphone now enables an iPod touch to call any mobile or landline: still no SIM, no contract, and very little money

From today people using Truphone’s free application for the iPod touch can make phone calls to ANY mobile or landline in the world, using Wi-Fi hotspots and the internet.

When in a Wi-Fi hotspot, Truphone enables an iPod touch to behave in the same way as a typical mobile phone. Wi-Fi hotspots are commonplace in offices, schools, campuses, at home, and even across entire town and city centres.

Truphone calls to landlines and mobiles cost from just UK£0.03/US$0.06* per minute [UK to China or USA, for example], and the service is available from more than 200 countries – helping people to significantly reduce the cost of Christmas Day phone calls to friends and family.

[ends]

Screenshots: Truphone for iPod touch

Notes to editors

1. Truphone for iPod touch is downloadable, free, from the App Store in the same way as other applications.
2. Once installed, and with the addition of microphone adaptor (Truphone microphone adaptor available soon)*, make free calls from a Wi-Fi hotspot – no matter where you are in the world – from as little as £0.03/$0.06* per minute. See www.truphone.com/pricing for full pricing information.
3. Calls to other iPod touch owners, to another Truphone user and to users of the Google Talk™ instant messaging service are free.
4. The software uses the iPod touch’s Wi-Fi connection to carry calls over the internet to its destination. There is no monthly line rental, no subscription or other hidden charges.
5. Truphone launched an initial version of Truphone for iPod touch on December 4th [announcement].

*Rates correct as of December 15th 2008.

**Microphone adaptor accessory currently available at Apple stores.

Requirements

• A second generation iPod touch (i.e. current model)
• A free download of Truphone for iPod touch
• A headset and microphone like those for the iPhone. These may be bought at high street electronics retailers or from an Apple Store

Making a Truphone call on an iPod touch
This couldn’t be simpler: Truphone displays a virtual keypad for dialling the number.

Links and resources

• Other Truphone pictures
• Truphone videos
• Truphone website

Apple and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the United States and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. Google Talk is a trademark of Google Inc. Google Talk is not a telephony service and cannot be used for emergency dialling. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Truphone is a trademark of Software Cellular Network Ltd. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Also adds inbound and free iPhone-to-iPhone Truphone calls

Global mobile network operator Truphone today added Truphone Anywhere functionality to its iPhone™ application, enabling users to make international calls across the internet for as little as £0.03/$0.06 [UK/Rest of World] per minute even when they’re not connected to the internet. Inbound Truphone calling on the iPhone is also added for the first time, making it possible to enjoy completely free Truphone calls between two iPhones.

Truphone Anywhere works in 33 countries around the world, saving iPhone users from those countries money on international calls made from their home country when not in Wi-Fi. The easy-to-use service works alongside domestic service providers, but reduces international call costs to as little as £0.03/$0.06 [UK/RoW] per minute.

Unlike say, calling card solutions, Truphone Anywhere doesn’t require a user to remember what to do. Whenever an international number is dialled from outside Wi-Fi, Truphone Anywhere simply asks whether he/she wants to make a Truphone call. The user simply accepts, and Truphone connects the call.

The second new key feature – inbound calling for Truphone on the iPhone – works in all countries. Using the new ‘presence’ feature, iPhone users can see which of their other Truphone-using contacts are online, including contacts who also have Truphone on their iPhone. This makes it possible to place, for the first time, a free iPhone-to-iPhone Truphone call.

The new inbound call capability means that iPhone users can avoid inbound call charges – for example, when abroad – provided they are connected to a Wi-Fi network, enabling significant cost savings.

“No-one likes big mobile bills, and they don’t come any bigger than for international calls” said Geraldine Wilson, Truphone’s new CEO. “But for iPhone users, that no longer needs to be the case. They can choose either to pay standard international call rates, or to reduce them to as little as 3 pence or 6 cents per minute. It’s as simple as that, no catches.”

All of the original, great benefits of Truphone for the iPhone still apply:

• Truphone routes calls over the internet whenever possible, saving loads of money both on international calls from a user’s home country and on calls when connected to Wi-Fi abroad
• Truphone routes calls over the internet, so customers don’t need to worry about poor mobile reception. Calls are crystal clear and voice quality is superb from almost any Wi-Fi zone
• no monthly line rental, subscription or other hidden charges. Truphone customers only ever pay for the calls they make. Additional credit is simply purchased online, or an account may be set to top up [refill] automatically when it falls to a certain level
• Truphone is free to download via the iPhone App Store and takes seconds to install. New customers receive £1/$1 [UK/RoW] free calling credit to get them started
• with Truphone’s American Tru Saver bundle, calls within and to the USA and Canada can be as low as 0.75 pence/1.5 cents [UK/RoW] per minute
• calls within and to 40 countries (including UK, Australia, Brazil and most of Europe) are £0.03/$0.06 [UK/RoW] per minute to landlines and £0.15/$0.30 [UK/RoW] per minute to mobiles
• making a Truphone call couldn’t be simpler: open the Truphone application and dial as normal. Truphone uses the iPhone’s own address book.
• Truphone has been enabling iPhone users to make major savings on international calls since July, by routing outbound calls over the internet using Wi-Fi.

[ends]

Notes to editors

1. Truphone Anywhere works by connecting to a local Truphone server, which then connects the long-distance part of the call over the internet. The local connection to Truphone is, typically, free because it uses bundled minutes from the customer’s usual cellular service provider.
2. Truphone Anywhere is designed to save users money when making international calls from their home country. Using the service while abroad may result in higher charges.
3. Truphone Anywhere works using local ‘points of presence’. Truphone has points of presence in 33 countries.

Links and other resources

• Photo: Geraldine Wilson
• Truphone photos (Flickr)
• Truphone website

iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Truphone is a trademark of Software Cellular Network Limited. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Make free calls to other iPod touch owners: no SIM, no contract, no money

Described by Apple itself as the ‘funnest’ iPod ever, the iPod touch may now be the ‘useful-est’ too thanks to FREE software – Truphone for iPod touch – that effectively turns one into a mobile phone.

Not only is the software free, but calls made using Truphone’s application for the iPod Touch are also FREE – just in time to save precious cash when making those Christmas calls to friends and family.

Once installed, and with the addition of microphone adaptor (Truphone microphone adaptor available soon)*, an iPod touch owner can make free calls – no matter where any are in the world – to other iPod touch owners, to customers of Truphone’s Internet telephony service, and to users of the Google Talk™ instant messaging service.

Truphone for iPod touch will become a one-stop-shop social hub with the following features coming soon:

• Making and receiving calls to and from landlines (PSTN) at low cost (simply set yourself up with a Truphone account)
• Instant messaging to Skype and MSN (free)
• Calling to Skype users (free)
• Calling to MSN users (free)
• Check and set facilities for Twitter (free)
• Check and set facilities for Facebook (free)

Truphone for iPod touch is easily downloaded from Apple’s App Store in exactly the same way as any other iPod touch application.

The software uses the iPod touch’s Wi-Fi connection to carry calls over the internet to its destination. There is no monthly line rental, no subscription or other hidden charges.

[ends]

*Microphone adaptor accessory currently available at the Apple Store.

Notes to editors

Links and resources

• Truphone for iPod touch: Screenshots
• Other Truphone pictures
• Truphone videos
• Truphone website

Types of FREE call that can be made:

• iPod touch to iPod touch
• iPod touch to Truphone (some Nokia handsets)
• Truphone (same Nokia handsets plus iPhone) to iPod touch
• iPod touch to Google Talk PC user

Requirements:

• A second generation iPod touch (i.e. current model)
• A free download of Truphone for iPod touch
• A headset and microphone like those for the iPhone. These may be bought at high street electronics retailers or from an Apple Store
• Friends also using Truphone!

Making a Truphone call on an iPod touch
This couldn’t be simpler: the Truphone application provides you with a virtual keypad that enables you to make the call.

How it works
Truphone works by routing calls over the Internet through Wi-Fi.

Important information
Truphone is not a replacement for an ordinary telephone service and emergency calls cannot be made using Truphone. Truphone cannot advise on the legality of VoIP [Voice over IP] services in specific territories or jurisdictions. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm that use of the Truphone VoIP software and service is permitted in the location in which they use it.

Apple and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the United States and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. Google Talk is a trademark of Google Inc. Google Talk is not a telephony service and cannot be used for emergency dialling. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Truphone is a trademark of Software Cellular Network Ltd. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Global mobile network operator Truphone today launched a beta of its mobile internet telephony service, Truphone Anywhere, for BlackBerry® smartphones. Truphone Anywhere brings simple, easy and cheap international calling to up to 40 million BlackBerry users across the world.

Truphone Anywhere works in 33 countries worldwide. It saves BlackBerry users from those countries money on the international calls they make from their home country. The service works alongside domestic service providers, but reduces international call costs to as little as £0.03/$0.06 per minute.

Truphone works with the user to save them money. Instead of requiring the user to remember what to do, Truphone Anywhere simply asks whether he/she wants to make a Truphone call whenever an international number is dialled. The user simply accepts, and Truphone connects the call.

“There’s no GSM business tariff that gets close to the prices we can offer BlackBerry users with Truphone for international calling,” said Geraldine Wilson, new CEO of Truphone. “And in these days of financial belt-tightening, businesses are looking at every means of cutting costs, which is an opportunity for us. Truphone is a genuine alternative carrier for international calls, with the potential to reduce annual mobile bills for the largest companies by many millions of dollars,” continued Wilson.

Aaron Simpson is the BlackBerry-using chief executive of Quintessentially, a private members’ club that provides a 24-hour global concierge service and is part of the world’s leading luxury lifestyle group. He stated: “Quintessentially has offices all around the world and, as CEO, I’m in constant contact with all of them. I’ve been using Truphone on my Blackberry and its low call rates have enabled me to make those calls at a fraction of the cost of using my mobile provider.”

In technical terms, Truphone Anywhere works by connecting to a local Truphone server, which then connects the long-distance part of the call over the internet. Because most BlackBerry users are contract customers, the local connection to Truphone is, typically, free because it uses bundled minutes from the customer’s usual cellular service provider.

Truphone for BlackBerry smartphones is available to download for free from www.truphone.com/blackberry. Alternatively, Handango users may also download Truphone from www.handango.com. There are no monthly subscriptions or other charges.

[ends]

The BlackBerry trademark is owned by Research in Motion Limited and is registered in the United states and may be pending registration in other countries. Truphone is a trademark of Software Cellular Network Limited. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Notes to editors

1. Truphone Anywhere is designed to save users money when making international calls from their home country. Using the service while abroad may result in higher charges.
2. Truphone Anywhere works using local ‘points of presence’. Truphone has points of presence in 33 countries.

Links and other resources

• Photo: Geraldine Wilson
• Pictures: Truphone on the BlackBerry
• Other Truphone photos (Flickr)
• Truphone press office
• Truphone website

Mobile network operator Truphone today unveiled Geraldine Wilson as its new chief executive officer. Appointment of the former Vice President and General Manager of Yahoo!’s European mobile division, Connected Life, marks a new phase of growth for Truphone, which will increasingly aim to attract ‘typical’ mobile phone users to its low-cost, mobile internet telephony service.

Geraldine Wilson will join Truphone in early November after almost two and a half years at Yahoo!. In her previous role she was responsible for growing the ISP’s broadband and mobile business in Europe, her remit including business, marketing strategy and operations. She joined Yahoo! from Vodafone where, among others, she held the key positions of Chief Commercial Officer for Vodafone Sweden, and Managing Director of UK Content Services for Vodafone UK.

Before that, she was Managing Director of Vizzavi UK and Director for Prepay at Vodafone UK where she was responsible for the successful launch of the company’s “Pay as you Talk” proposition. In total she brings more than 20 years of product, marketing and sales experience in the mobile and telecoms industry to her new role.

Commenting on her new role at Truphone, Geraldine Wilson said: “Truphone has clearly established itself as a pioneer of next generation mobile telephony with ground breaking applications such as Truphone for the iPhone. But every successful disruptive technology must eventually become the norm in order to truly succeed, so the mass market is where the future must lie for Truphone.”

John McMonigall, chairman of Truphone’s Board of Directors, said: “With 20 years experience in mobile and telecoms Geraldine Wilson is by any definition the consummate industry professional. The Board welcomes her, her energy and her focus, and looks forward to helping her drive Truphone into the mobile consumer marketplace.”

Previous CEO James Tagg, who originally invented and developed the Truphone service with CTO and co-founder Alistair Campbell, moves to the role of Chief Architect.

[ends]

Truphone is a trading name of Software Cellular Network Ltd. Other product and service names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Ever tried to call someone on holiday and not got through? Don’t be surprised – according to a survey by mobile experts SIM4travel, 41% of us have binned a call without answering it while on holiday – because we don’t like paying for inbound calls when we’re abroad.

Welsh people are most likely to ignore a call with 50% admitting that they sometimes do, but East Anglians are least likely to bin calls, at 29%.

Even if you get through, don’t expect to chat like you do at home. Almost half your friends will try to hurry you off the phone – probably because they are worried about the bill.

We dislike paying for inbound calls so much that one in seven people who take their mobile with them on holiday never turn it on. “More than half of us are frightened of receiving a huge phone bill when we get home,” said Suk Grewal, marketing director of SIM4travel.

[ends]

Research was carried out on behalf of SIM4travel by the independent market research company BMRB. BMRB interviewed 1000 people aged between 16-64 between August 9th and August 11th.

About SIM4travel
SIM4travel, which commissioned the survey, operates its own Pay As You Go global network. With a SIM4travel international SIM card there are no charges for inbound calls in the EU, and calls home are just 25p per minute. Worldwide, savings of up to 80% are possible in more than 50 countries worldwide. SIM4travel is a trading name of Software Cellular Network Limited. For more information visit the press office.

Mobile phone users can now make cheap calls to the USA and Canada for just US$0.015 per minute, from anywhere in the world.

This is the terrific result of global mobile operator Truphone’s first minutes ‘bundle’ – Tru Saver – which offers iPhone and Nokia handset owners 1,000 minutes to the USA and Canada for only US$14.99 per month.

For purposes of comparison:

• UK customers pay UK£7.49 per month for the Tru Saver bundle.
• A UK ‘pay monthly’ iPhone owner making a call to the USA or Canada, with O2’s International Traveller Service option, is charged UK£0.17 per minute. This means that someone making more than 45 minutes of calls to the USA/Canada in a month will be better off with the Tru Saver bundle.
• Without the International Traveller Service option (i.e. a customer on O2’s £30 per month tariff), the otherwise-identical O2 customer is charged UK£0.99 per minute. For this customer, the payback period on the Tru Saver bundle is reduced to a little over seven and a half minutes of calls – offering, effectively, a further 992.5 Tru Saver minutes for free.
• Since the Tru Saver bundle applies for calls to the United States and Canada from anywhere in the world, the payback period for an iPhone user calling these countries while roaming are even shorter – as little as three or four minutes in some cases, giving up to 996 effectively free Tru Saver minutes.

James Tagg, Truphone’s CEO, said, “iPhone and Nokia owners who regularly call North America can purchase Truphone’s bundle to get ‘peace of mind’ pricing of just 1.5 US cents – 0.75 pence – per minute to the USA and Canada from anywhere in the world. People don’t want to calculate precise ‘per minute’ rates, or check tariff websites, or take a paid-for tariff ‘bolt-on’ to get a still-high rate. They simply want to feel comfortable about what they’re going to pay for the call they want to make.”

Truphone carries calls via Wi-Fi and the internet. However, for Nokia handset owners with bundled GSM minutes as part of their GSM operator’s plan, the combination of Truphone’s new bundle with Truphone Anywhere – which enables cheap mobile calls via the internet even when not connected to the Internet – makes possible mobile calls to the USA or Canada at the amazing price of just 1.5 US cents per minute [UK£0.0075 per minute] even when the caller is on the move and outside Wi-Fi.

[ends]

iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc, registered in the United States and other countries. Truphone is a trademark of Software Cellular Network Limited.