Source: www.theregister.co.uk

Tesco has started extending its VoIP service, Tesco Internet Phone, onto mobiles, offering Wi-Fi capable handsets the chance to make free calls to other Tesco customers.

Tesco’s existing service is a pretty-standard VoIP operation, and is handled by Freshtel, the Australian VoIP specialist with a PC client. Freshtel are also providing the S60 client for the mobile version.

Putting VoIP onto a S60 phone isn’t hard - the handsets generally come with a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) stack so the downloaded application is generally more about getting the right settings onto the phone than enabling it to use VoIP (though it may also provide branding and other capabilities).

Tesco are limiting the trial to four Nokia handsets, the N95, N81, E65 and E51, none of which are available to customers of Tesco Mobile as the MVNO is aimed at the lower end of the market. One of the problems with mobile VoIP is that those most interested in saving pennies on their phone calls don’t tend to have Wi-Fi-enabled handsets.

One feature Tesco can offer is close integration with the mobile network, so the existing mobile phone number can be used with the VoIP service, in contrast to other systems which require a separate number to be issued.

Mobile VoIP works great, when connected to Wi-Fi, but it’s becoming increasingly complicated for the user to decide which network to use. Having VoIP integrated in the handset, as on the S60 platform, makes things easier as simply hitting the green key connects over VoIP if it’s available. But with separate providers and bundled packages, using VoIP might not always be the cheapest option.

Having a single provider of both services makes a lot more sense, and hopefully that’s what Tesco, and Freshtel, will be able to offer once they complete their trials. ®

Source: voipcentral.org

A few months ago, Ofcom gave a loud sound on VoIP saying that UK VoIP customers base is all set to reach three million mark by end of 2007, up from 500,000.

It seems that, there is no ambiguity in the Ofcom predictions. Very recently, I came to know that retail giant Tesco is now embracing VoIP.

Tesco has announced that it is putting its resources in the VoIP market and ready to offer a range of services and devices for the UK customers.

It is introducing the Internet Telephone Adaptor, a standalone device, which brings VoIP functionality to users home phone. It means the Tesco customers can make calls to their fellow users for free, while, they need to spend a very negligible amount to call friends of foreign countries. The rate is less than 2p per minute.

Source: voipcentral.org

Tesco, the UK supermarket has entered the exploding IP telephony market. They have announced an IP-based phone service that can function as an additional phone line.

Tesco has both a product and services scheme in its VoIP venture. Its product is a handset that can be plugged in to a computer and calls can be made after downloading and installing the software for it. Tesco internet phone has a pay as you go tariff with simple call pricing, It allows customers to know exactly what they are spending on their calls.

The handset can be purchased from stores or online for 19.97. It includes 5 worth of free talk time and everything including software that you would need to get started straight away.

The service will be rolling out across 350 stores across the coming months.

Read more in Gadget Spy

Source: voipcentral.org

Freshtel, the Australian maker and vendor of VoIP products and services across the world, raised nearly $4 million through a share placement to British retailing giant Tesco. This is an attempt by the company to give a boost ragarding its designs regarding the UK.

According to Freshtel, after the placement it will hold 6% of Tesco. The shares issue will raise $3.7 million that Freshtel plans to use to further develop its products and services for UK.

The issue follows a deal with Tesco under which Freshtel will provide a branded VoIP phone services.

Freshtel said;

The own-brand service will launch in the UK next year and be marketed and distributed through Tesco’s existing retail channels.

The network, infrastructure and billing information for the retailer will be provided by Freshtel only.

The revenue model is based on earnings per-user license fees and margins on all calls to a fixed or mobile phone.
For its part Tesco will also pay maintenance fees and Freshtel will earn additional royalties on all hardware purchased by Tesco from Freshtel’s manufacturing partners.

Via: Herald Sun