Comments on: Is Truphone the modern day Boo.com? http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html Daily news and opinion for 250,000 industry executives and mobile fanatics Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:51:00 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymous http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-244948 Anonymous Thu, 15 May 2008 00:47:32 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-244948 I believe there's a bit of re-structuring going on as a result of the new influx of cash. Maybe now would be the right time to write a business plan with a section on revenue generation? I believe there's a bit of re-structuring going on as a result of the new influx of cash. Maybe now would be the right time to write a business plan with a section on revenue generation?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-234331 Anonymous Wed, 14 May 2008 19:47:32 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-234331 I believe there's a bit of re-structuring going on as a result of the new influx of cash. Maybe now would be the right time to write a business plan with a section on revenue generation? I believe there's a bit of re-structuring going on as a result of the new influx of cash. Maybe now would be the right time to write a business plan with a section on revenue generation?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-227002 Anonymous Wed, 14 May 2008 18:47:32 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-227002 I believe there's a bit of re-structuring going on as a result of the new influx of cash. Maybe now would be the right time to write a business plan with a section on revenue generation? I believe there's a bit of re-structuring going on as a result of the new influx of cash. Maybe now would be the right time to write a business plan with a section on revenue generation?

]]> By: Alex http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-227001 Alex Wed, 14 May 2008 13:14:16 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-227001 truphone to truphone will remain free FOREVER ... so what's the big issue here truphone to truphone will remain free FOREVER … so what's the big issue here

]]> By: Alex http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-227000 Alex Wed, 14 May 2008 13:00:56 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-227000 guys I use truphone since the beginning, about 12 months ago. I moved my whole office and my family on it. I used to have extra ordinary high charges from my network operator and now, I pay about guys I use truphone since the beginning, about 12 months ago. I moved my whole office and my family on it. I used to have extra ordinary high charges from my network operator and now, I pay about

]]> By: MartinSFP http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-226999 MartinSFP Wed, 14 May 2008 12:06:55 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-226999 Funnily enough Truphone just texted me to let me know I had 2p left of my original Funnily enough Truphone just texted me to let me know I had 2p left of my original

]]> By: Gabe http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-226998 Gabe Wed, 14 May 2008 10:12:56 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-226998 I use Truphone quite a bit I use Truphone quite a bit

]]> By: phoneboy http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-226997 phoneboy Tue, 13 May 2008 20:58:36 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-226997 When I've brought up the "cost of calls" issue with Truphone, they are telling me that people are actually paying those rates. Why? The quality is fantastic. Quality is worth paying extra for. When I've brought up the “cost of calls” issue with Truphone, they are telling me that people are actually paying those rates. Why? The quality is fantastic. Quality is worth paying extra for.

]]> By: smstextnews http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-226996 smstextnews Tue, 13 May 2008 20:50:05 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-226996 I think that bodes well for Truphone, Jeb! I think that bodes well for Truphone, Jeb!

]]> By: smstextnews http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-226994 smstextnews Tue, 13 May 2008 20:49:05 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-226994 Excellent points Rafe! Excellent points Rafe!

]]> By: JebBrilliant http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-226995 JebBrilliant Tue, 13 May 2008 19:31:37 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-226995 Ewan, <br>I was actually mistaken last time we spoke about Truphone. I recalculated and they are cheaper then the plan I am going to be switching to. Truphone is offering 6cents/min to any US number, let's focus on the US because that's where I make the majority of my calls, though I do call abroad a great deal. My carrier of choice AT&T is offering <br>450min at .088cents/min is $39.99<br>900min at .066cents/min is $59.99<br>Now I don't need more then 900 min if I am able to make Truphone calls and with Truphone I can use my prepaid minutes anywhere in the world. Plus I'm sure they won't expire right away either. I'm rethinking Truphone now and might just use them as my primary phone for business calls. I also have mixed feelings about having to use a sim card to take advantage of their service. I like the idea but still won't give up my AT&T sim/number. I will use Truphone to compliment AT&T not to replace it. I need 2 numbers 1 for work and 1 for personal. <br>If Truphone offered a flat rate plan for unlimited calls I would most definitely take advantage of that and I think if they can combine that with and without a sim card then they're in business. Well that would be ideal for me and I think a lot of other people, but I think having the options of using their service with and without a sim card is KEY and so is offering a flat rate option. <br>Anyways Ewan, I just wanted append what you said and add that I may look elsewhere but I'm still going to stick to Truphone. Ewan,
I was actually mistaken last time we spoke about Truphone. I recalculated and they are cheaper then the plan I am going to be switching to. Truphone is offering 6cents/min to any US number, let's focus on the US because that's where I make the majority of my calls, though I do call abroad a great deal. My carrier of choice AT&T is offering
450min at .088cents/min is $39.99
900min at .066cents/min is $59.99
Now I don't need more then 900 min if I am able to make Truphone calls and with Truphone I can use my prepaid minutes anywhere in the world. Plus I'm sure they won't expire right away either. I'm rethinking Truphone now and might just use them as my primary phone for business calls. I also have mixed feelings about having to use a sim card to take advantage of their service. I like the idea but still won't give up my AT&T sim/number. I will use Truphone to compliment AT&T not to replace it. I need 2 numbers 1 for work and 1 for personal.
If Truphone offered a flat rate plan for unlimited calls I would most definitely take advantage of that and I think if they can combine that with and without a sim card then they're in business. Well that would be ideal for me and I think a lot of other people, but I think having the options of using their service with and without a sim card is KEY and so is offering a flat rate option.
Anyways Ewan, I just wanted append what you said and add that I may look elsewhere but I'm still going to stick to Truphone.

]]> By: Rafe http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-226993 Rafe Tue, 13 May 2008 19:12:32 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-226993 I've heard some similar comments, but I think a lot of it is trash talk. Clearly there's a lot of competition in the VoIP space. However Truphone looks set to be taking a rather different route to others (i.e. becoming an operator) rather than looking to downloads / partnerships with ISPs / operators as others seem to plan. While I do think this is a more risky route (and Truphone are investing a lot in it) I think the potential is commensurate with that risk (and more likely to have legs in the short term as it is an easy conceptual leap for normobs).<br><br>Despite a lot of talk there's been relatively few deals between ISPs / operators and mVoIP providers that I'm aware of (Fring has done some stuff here). I've got a relatively limited understanding of the underlying technology, but it does seem that Truphone have a strength here (e.g. do a comparison between the various quality levels). One of the problems with mVoIP is that despite a lot of potential it does depend of people adopting it (be via an install or SIM card). Personally I think the sim route is going to get more people likely to pay for calls. A lot of the downloaders are looking for free calls. Making money out of those users is going to be hard and probably done through advertising... I guess it is the 2 million free customers versus 200,000 paying I've heard some similar comments, but I think a lot of it is trash talk. Clearly there's a lot of competition in the VoIP space. However Truphone looks set to be taking a rather different route to others (i.e. becoming an operator) rather than looking to downloads / partnerships with ISPs / operators as others seem to plan. While I do think this is a more risky route (and Truphone are investing a lot in it) I think the potential is commensurate with that risk (and more likely to have legs in the short term as it is an easy conceptual leap for normobs).

Despite a lot of talk there's been relatively few deals between ISPs / operators and mVoIP providers that I'm aware of (Fring has done some stuff here). I've got a relatively limited understanding of the underlying technology, but it does seem that Truphone have a strength here (e.g. do a comparison between the various quality levels). One of the problems with mVoIP is that despite a lot of potential it does depend of people adopting it (be via an install or SIM card). Personally I think the sim route is going to get more people likely to pay for calls. A lot of the downloaders are looking for free calls. Making money out of those users is going to be hard and probably done through advertising… I guess it is the 2 million free customers versus 200,000 paying

]]> By: bitflung http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2008/05/is_truphone_the_modern_day_boocom.html/comment-page-1#comment-226992 bitflung Tue, 13 May 2008 18:30:56 +0000 http://www.smstextnews.com/?p=6451#comment-226992 good news about truphone? sure. i used them for quite a while. sadly, i don't use them much now - but let's just say that they got some $$$ from this happy customer (i bought at least one $10 top off - mostly to play with SMS over IP).<br><br>good points:<br><br>1. their OUTBOUND rates are on par with the per-minute rates of a monthly contract tariff in the usa. actually, just a bit better than most (nominally $40 gets you 450 minutes == ~$0.09/min - truphone USA to USA calls are about $0.06/min )<br><br>2. inbound is always free, so round about 50% of your calls are just plain old free. so turn that 6 cents a minute into 3 cents a minute and smile.<br><br>3. they give you a real PSTN accessible phone number. great guns.<br><br>4. calls connect QUICKLY and are STABLE (compared to Gizmo, truphone is significantly better in call setup time as well as call quality).<br><br>here's the statement of opinion that really digs deep, and i think many many people would agree with me (if not immediately, then eventually):<br><br>If truphone offers SIM cards that can roam LOCALLY and include UNLIMITED OR VERY LARGE data plans economically, then they will have my business. I would pay up to $40/month for GSM data alone, if it provided me with unlimited GSM data and required no contract. would be great if i could make/receive a few calls over GSM without paying extra (you know, for road trips) but i'd be content with a reasonable GSM voice tariff.<br><br>thats it. the killer app. truphone is SO close.... just push SIM cards to us, charge monthly for all-we-can-eat data within our home country (i'll find wifi when i'm abroad! i need convenience on a daily basis at home!) and let us pay your normal, relatively cheap, voip prices for calls.<br><br>good news about truphone? sure i've got that: they have the assets required to do this right. have they done it yet? not exactly, but i wouldn't be surprised to see them do it. all told, they've done a fantastic job at what they've tried for so far - so if they attempt what i've described then i'll be an early adopter and snicker loudly at anyone using a Verizon handset. good news about truphone? sure. i used them for quite a while. sadly, i don't use them much now – but let's just say that they got some $$$ from this happy customer (i bought at least one $10 top off – mostly to play with SMS over IP).

good points:

1. their OUTBOUND rates are on par with the per-minute rates of a monthly contract tariff in the usa. actually, just a bit better than most (nominally $40 gets you 450 minutes == ~$0.09/min – truphone USA to USA calls are about $0.06/min )

2. inbound is always free, so round about 50% of your calls are just plain old free. so turn that 6 cents a minute into 3 cents a minute and smile.

3. they give you a real PSTN accessible phone number. great guns.

4. calls connect QUICKLY and are STABLE (compared to Gizmo, truphone is significantly better in call setup time as well as call quality).

here's the statement of opinion that really digs deep, and i think many many people would agree with me (if not immediately, then eventually):

If truphone offers SIM cards that can roam LOCALLY and include UNLIMITED OR VERY LARGE data plans economically, then they will have my business. I would pay up to $40/month for GSM data alone, if it provided me with unlimited GSM data and required no contract. would be great if i could make/receive a few calls over GSM without paying extra (you know, for road trips) but i'd be content with a reasonable GSM voice tariff.

thats it. the killer app. truphone is SO close…. just push SIM cards to us, charge monthly for all-we-can-eat data within our home country (i'll find wifi when i'm abroad! i need convenience on a daily basis at home!) and let us pay your normal, relatively cheap, voip prices for calls.

good news about truphone? sure i've got that: they have the assets required to do this right. have they done it yet? not exactly, but i wouldn't be surprised to see them do it. all told, they've done a fantastic job at what they've tried for so far – so if they attempt what i've described then i'll be an early adopter and snicker loudly at anyone using a Verizon handset.

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