Comments on: Apple Approves Another VoIP App, Rebtel

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:30:00 +0000

Rebtel doesn’t offer VoIP over 3G on iPhone. That’s a simple fact.
The application initiates 2 calling legs. One is setup directly to a fixedline number via a normal GSM call, the other one is setup by calling the other party over PSTN.

The are exactly the same as Jahjah. Only the way how it’s presented is different.

So in other words to be clear: There is no VoIP traffic going from the iPhone over 3G data pipeline and connects to a server to terminate the VoIP call to a PSTN / normal phone number.

By: vechog

vechog — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:30:34 +0000

Exactly ! I think AT&T hasn’t really opened 3G for VOIP. Both Vonage and Rebtel seem to be using voice call to their local access number which then forwards the call to the number you desire. 3G is only used for call setup.

By: Alexander Drewniak

Alexander Drewniak — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:05:53 +0000

@Craik Pyke Yes, that’s correct.

@user, GigaOM We describe it as being a VoIP App as we do still route the international leg of the call over VoIP. However, I do agree with you that there is no VoIP involved per se from the users point of view.

Also, let me reiterate that what Apple considers as being VoIP and what an end users actually is exposed to are, as you know, two different things. Our 6-7 months waiting time for approval surely is a testament to that.

By: user

user — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:46:50 +0000

Why is everyone (not just this site – dozens of them) reporting it as a voip app? From the description of the app, they give you a local number to call and you use that to call your intended destination. Does this mean the address book is a voip app? It helps you make phone calls too. Of course the address book is not voip app.

There is no voip involved (from the user point of view). I can’t believe so many sites repost this inaccurate stuff without checking the details.

By: Apple Approves Another VoIP App, Rebtel « Chicago Mac/PC Support

Apple Approves Another VoIP App, Rebtel « Chicago Mac/PC Support — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:42:17 +0000

[...] 19, 2009 by chimac Its a VoIP party at the Apple Store. Click here to learn more about this [...]

By: veggiedude

veggiedude — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:35:49 +0000

Google Voice does not do VoIP. Its competitor, RingCentral, is available in the app store, but even RingCentral does not offer VoIP, even though VoIP is one of their core services. RingCentral has another app, known as ‘AT&T Virtual Receptionist’ under the ATT brand, and it does what Google Voice does.

By: Craik Pyke

Craik Pyke — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:37:17 +0000

So the bottom line, inferring from your post, is Rebtel creates a circuit side connection between the mobile and your local “service node”, and you then route the bulk of the session over a packet infrastructure – correct?

In other words, you’re not creating a packet side connection to the mobile, right?

By: Alexander Drewniak

Alexander Drewniak — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:38:54 +0000

@Tony Yes, in it’s current iteration our App works by setting up the call and routing it over VoIP.

@Manor We identified a bug late last week relating to OTA contact sync. Unfortunately is causes the App to crash but an update is on it’s way.
I would highly appreciate if I could get in touch with you to get the details of the crash. Want to make sure this actually does relate to that specific bug we identified and not something else. I’m alexander [dot] drewniak [at] rebtel [dot] com

Thanks in advance!

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:15:57 +0000

Todd

We have been looking for some actual proof of that including photos and Google is being pretty tight lipped about it. If it is anything like the Android experience, I am not surprised Apple is pushing them down.

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:15:02 +0000

That is correct.

By: Todd Barnard

Todd Barnard — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:40:52 +0000

“I wonder why exactly Google Voice isn’t getting the go-ahead? Any theories, people?”

Google Voice takes control of voice mail and text messaging away from AT&T – those lucrative cash cows are worth millions and MILLIONS of dollars.

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2009-07/the-intimated-threat-of-google-voice-for-android/

By: Manor

Manor — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:32:27 +0000

I downloaded the iPhone app. This is tool just helps you dial your contacts over your regular mobile service as any Rebtel call you make. You are not in fact making a VOIP call per se. (Rebtel indeed routes the calls over the Internet on their end but as a user you are making a 100% normal but local telephone call).
The app looks promising but in my case it kept shutting down when I tried to open my phonebook. I could still make a call but I’d have to dial the contact number from memory, couldn’t browse my phonebook.

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:43:57 +0000

So Alex,

Does this mean Rebtel do or dont offer VoiP over 3G on the iPhone now?
Either by setting up the call and routing it over VoIP or by actually setting up a true Voip2Voip call over 3G?

By: Alexander Drewniak

Alexander Drewniak — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:10:58 +0000

Hi there Marcus,

Alex from Rebtel here. It sure has been a long time coming (to say the least). Now we’re finally there. Since we got the green light from Apple we’re really excited and look forward to executing on some of the ideas we have planned for future updates.

To try to answer your questions, Apple stipulated in their developer guidelines that no VoIP application was allowed to initiate a call over a carriers 3G network and then subsequently “leave it” to route the international part of the call over VoIP. This is being referred to as “VoIP over 3G” as well, even though it’s not true Voip2Voip over a 3G network.

By: Ouriel OHAYON

Ouriel OHAYON — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:06:21 +0000

om, i assume this is the link to download the app (could not find it in your post?) http://appsfire.com/eB

By: Markus Goebel

Markus Goebel — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:03:02 +0000

Until now, Rebtel was a callthrough app which gave local numbers to your international contacts. Calls where made over normal mobile phone networks, no VoIP over Wifi or VoIP over 3G necessary.

Is it different on the iPhone?

Or why do you stress that the service also works over AT&T’s 3G network, making it less necessary to have a Wi-Fi connection?