Vonage Offers Calling App For iPhone, BlackBerry

Vonage released an application for Apple's iPhone and Research In Motion's BlackBerry smartphones Monday, which enables business users to make low-cost international calls.

The Vonage Mobile app lets users tap into the company's voice over Internet Protocol calling service for long-distance calls from their handsets. The app integrates with a user's contact lists, and those receiving calls will see the caller's normal cell phone number as the caller ID.

Users have to input their credit card information before using the calling service, and calls are charged on a per-minute basis. Vonage said its VoIP infrastructure means it can charge less for international calls, and it said the service can save more than 50% on calls compared to traditional landlines or mobile networks. The company also indicated it will add an unlimited calling feature for a monthly flat fee in the future.

"Our new mobile app is an important step in establishing Vonage as a software technology company that enables high-quality voice and messaging across any device in any location, providing great value over any broadband network," said Marc Lefar, CEO of Vonage.

Users with an iPhone can use the app over Wi-Fi or cellular data networks, while BlackBerry customers can only use it over cellular networks. The app is also available for the iPod Touch where it can only be used with Wi-Fi. Vonage Mobile can be downloaded for free through Apple's App Store, or through Research In Motion's BlackBerry World.

The move comes a few months after Apple blocked the Google Voice call-routing app into its App Store, which drew the attention of the Federal Communications Commission. In response to the federal probe, Apple said it was not allowing Google Voice in the App Store because it duplicated existing functionality and could confuse users. Google is reportedly working to bring the service to iPhone users via a Web app.

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