Tue 13 Mar 2007
Have you wondered how you can make a phone call without SIM card? Do we really need network operator to make phone call? I have been playing fring on my S60 device in the last couple of days. Amazingly, I can make a phone call without inserting any SIM card to my device. I just use WiFi connection to make a phone call.
How does it happen? What is fring? fring is a third party VoIP application for S60 devices. Here is the quote from fring.com.
fring™ is a mobile application that allows you to make mobile calls and send instant messages (chat) to other fring users and PC-based VoIP services such as Skype, Google Talk and MSN Messenger at no extra cost beyond your existing data plan. fring calls cost nothing extra because they utilize GPRS, 3G and Wi-Fi mobile internet connections.
What you need is only an S60 device with WiFi or 3G support. However, please note that you would need flat-rate data plan if you are using 3G. I always remind you this issue because it is really important. VoIP application uses a lot of bandwidth.
Besides S60 device, you would need Skype account to dial a landline phone or other mobile phone. fring uses the balance of your SkypeOut to make a phone call. That’s why, if you are familiar with Skype, you can assume fring is a kind of “Skype” for S60.
Compatible devices: S60 2nd, 3rd, Nokia Nseries, Nokia Eseries.
Update (March 14, 2007): Please note that normally you are not always in the WiFi hotspot. That’s why, it’s better to still have your SIM card in the device. Just in case you don’t have access to the hotspot and you got a phone call or want to make a phone call.
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March 14th, 2007 at 12:57 am
Hi Antony!
What phone is the screenshots from?
March 14th, 2007 at 1:01 am
@Jonas: It’s a Nokia E61.
March 14th, 2007 at 6:22 am
Hi Antony,
You can also use Truphone in the same way, i.e. without a SIM card in, to make calls over WiFi - it’s been highly amusing to see jaws drop open when I’ve shown people that.
Having said that, we advocate keeping your SIM card in the phone because, if someone calls your Truphone number and you’re not ‘on net’ (connected over WiFi), the inbound call is diverted to your GSM. If your SIM is in, you don’t miss the call.
Tim.
March 14th, 2007 at 8:32 am
@Tim: Thanks for the additional information.
That’s a good point to keep the SIM card in because sometimes we are not always in the hotspot. :))
March 16th, 2007 at 7:50 am
it provides now SIP support