Freshtel takes fresh approach to VoIP

Product: Freshtel
Supplier: Freshtel Holdings
Web: www.freshtelholdings.com
Price: £1 via PR text for test version
Download available: Text 'Talk' to 86688 (UK only)
Compatibility: Nokia E51, E65, N81, N95

HAVING STRUGGLED like mad to get Freshtel's demo VoIP service going at first, the INQ is now converted. It's really a quite good network.

As with the majority of services like Freshtel that run on a mobile phone but take advantage of the handset's built-in Wi-fi connection, Freshtel to Freshtel calls and messages are free.

So if you can get your mates to sign up and are standing in range of a Wi-fi hotspot, you could spend all day talking for free. Which is great if they happen to be abroad at the time.

There's a bit of a snag, however. Freshtel – which is co-operating with Tescos in the UK - launched the service back in May as a test. So currently only four handsets are supported: Nokia's E51, E65, N81 and N95.

Another design flaw which Freshtel only detected once the trail had got under way is that its own software clashes with Truphone's. Something to do with using the same filename conventions.

Which explained, of course, why the INQ couldn't initially get the app to work. Having reset a Nokia E65, however, the software is working fine.

A feature of which Freshtel is extremely proud is the fact that the app utilises your mobile phone's existing telephone number. Hence you don't have to provide a separate number just to get those free calls.

It's especially useful for businesses users because they don't need to make new business cards with an extra VoIP phone number.

Plus, when you call via Freshtel (taking advantage of their lower call rates), the recipient's handset still sees the correct CallerID and the handset tells them who's calling.

The INQ was also impressed with the UI which has just four options. Contacts, for example, takes you straight into the standard handset address book. Thus there's no need to retype numbers to make VoIP calls.

It was also possible to prove that 'Presence' works with Freshtel. If one of your contacts is online, their icon turns green so you know it will cost nothing to call or text them.

The messaging facility sports a special conversation screen, so you can see a 'history' of the text messages you've exchanged which turns texting into a form of instant messaging.

There was no hint of how soon Freshtel will come out of trial/beta mode. However, one facility that should eventually work is that mobile phone users on Freshtel will be able to 'see' those using internet phones supplied by Tescos. µ

The good
Keeps existing mobile phone number so no new business cards required

The bad
Clashes with other VoIP software like Truphone

The ugly
Only four Nokia handsets presently supported. Not even support for E61

Bartender's verdict:

See also
Freshtel and Tescos make big noise at Wireless08