Andy Abramson Blog  

Comunicano

A lot of times people think VoIP is all about the end of the call process. It isn't always. As a matter of fact, VoIP is in the middle more than we realize. Take my travel phone habits for example. This month I'm spending the bulk of it on the road, in Europe. I'm fortunate that I have unlocked Nokia E series phones, SIMs that work in each country I'll visit with which I use the PAYG (Pay As You Go) approach, topping up usually just when I arrive and — as time permits — before I depart, if I know I'm coming back to the country within a few months. Most of the operators don't expire your minutes too quickly these days, choosing to keep the customer, especially since they made SIMS almost a giveaway.

But having a PAYG SIM in the local country is only half the battle, as calling back to the U.S. is still very expensive. So here's my secret: I find and purchase local DIDs in the countries I'm visiting or where I know I'll be doing business regularly, point them to where my full service voice 2.0 voice mailbox is located, and then call back via the VoIP service in the middle, often using SIP-to-SIP transfers that cost nothing.

Here's how it works for me in Spain, France and the U.K.

In Spain I purchased a SIP capable DID from CallCentric.com and then pointed it via the SIP URI to a Gizmo5 ID that has call out capability to ring my GrandCentral number. Since the GrandCentral number is one of my destination numbers, the call from Gizmo to GrandCentral is free.

So first I dial into local DID in Spain, the number I have saved in my directory. The call is transferred back to the U.S. via IP all the way, GrandCentral answers, then I simply listen to my messages and return calls, all for the cost of a local call here in Spain, and with no charges back in the U.S. I could have just as easily pointed Gizmo to a CallVantage inbound POP or to ring my OnSip-hosted PBX box, but GrandCentral, like Communikate or PhoneFusion gives me a lot more options. Also, the AT&T CallVantage solution would involve punching in additional numbers and wasting time, running up my minutes, all of which would increase the cost locally.

In France I use a Gizmo number, and do the same thing, while in the UK it's a free number via VoIPUser.org. I dial the local in-country number and my voice mail answers.

For most people, this process initially would be more work than savings, but I'm a heavy phone user on the road who visits the same countries at least four times a year. With global roaming rates remaining high and with the opportunity to lease numbers for as short a period as a month, I can drop and add the numbers at will. If I see that I'm not planning on visiting the country again for six months or so, I just drop it.

Sure there are other ways to do this, but none are as cost efficient or uniform as this. What's more, when I'm returning a call to someone from my GrandCentral voice mailbox, the GrandCentral number is presented, cutting down on having people leave me messages in mail boxes in foreign lands.

The GrandCentral number also points to both Gizmo In and Skype In numbers and I use the inexpensive international call out rates of both Voice 2.0 companies. Of course if they don't, GrandCentral takes the message and e-mails it to me. I can also point the same GrandCentral number to my Truphone number which, when I'm not within WiFi range, forwards to whichever cell phone SIM I'm using on my Nokia E90. Truphone is also using VoIP in the middle to move the calls around. The Truphone Anywhere service uses dial through locally, providing another route around the high cost of roaming. I can also use Mobivox's calling service, dialing into local numbers and saying the intended party’s name, or even add a VoxBoneiNum number, providing one more cost effective way to be reached, all with VoIP in the middle of the calls.

So the next time you make a call, realize that VoIP may be in the middle, not just on the end of the line.

(Disclosure: My agency, Comunicano, advises Mobivox, Truphone and VoxBone and I am a past investor in GrandCentral, as well as personal friends with Gizmo founder Michael Robertson)

Andy Abramson is the founder of Comunicano Inc., a boutique asymmetrical communications consultancy geared to providing senior advising, marketing and corporate communications and marketer-in-residence services to start-ups, companies in transition and established brands. Andy has more than 34 years’ experience in all facets of media, marketing, public relations and corporate communications.

User Comments !

I was just thinking about using VoIP in the Middle to cut costs and you've really helped out. Thanks!

Posted by: Yachtcharter Griechenland | January 07 2009 02:15:04