By Sharla Sikes

fring now offers a VoIP application that is available on all Windows Mobile 5.0 and 6.0 series devices, including Windows Mobile phones and pocket PCs as well as some 20 models of Nokia phones.

fring’s application for Windows Mobile allows PDAs that are WiFi enabled but lack SIM capability to function as VoIP phones.

fring counts on the attraction of using its service for chat sessions, IM, VoIP calls and VoIP-enabled public switched telephone network calls, all using the same contact list. The free application does not require any proprietary hardware or air time. Users can choose between Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger and other SIP providers to connect with friends, family and clients.

“fring is excited to let Windows Mobile users leverage fully integrated VoIP and multiple IM experience enabling calls, chat and real time presence via their mobile device’s internet capabilities, previously only possible on their PC,” said Avi Shechter, co-founder and CEO of fring. “Like all fringsters, Windows Mobile users now have real mobile independence to make VoIP calls at no extra cost with rich presence indicators and hold multiple live chat sessions with their mobile, PC and landline contacts all from one integrated contact list.”

It’s one more step toward fully mobile VoIP, but it’s not perfect. Roy Timor-Rousso, vice president of product marketing at fring, admits that the application is a “resolutely consumer application”—as in, not “telco grade.” However, depending on a user’s data plan, he says that fring can be used to make cellular VoIP calls. Flat-rate data bundles and 3G networks help move mobile VoIP plans like fring’s into a service that makes sense.

“Users would consume about 8-10Mb per hour of talk time, and around 10kb per hour in idle mode, through the presence notification,” Timor-Rousso said. “We always tell our users to make sure they have a good data plan, and if they are roaming to make sure they have a good data roaming plan.”

Mobile operators, however, aren’t too thrilled by users choosing to make VoIP calls on their mobile phones. Vodafone recently worked to make its Nokia phone incompatible to VoIP calling, but other companies have been more open to honoring the end user’s choice of communication services. 3 has offered the ability to make calls using Skype.

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