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Rebtel Launches Free International Calling App for BlackBerry

Stockholm, Sweden & San Francisco, USA – January 14, 2011 – Rebtel, the world’s largest independent mobile VoIP company, today announced the launch of its new BlackBerry application, allowing BlackBerry users to make and receive free international calls between more than 50 countries.

The news immediately affects millions of BlackBerry users looking for a smart and simple solution for making free or affordable international calls. Rebtel currently has mobile offerings with similar Free Calls functionality available for the Android platform (since March 2010) and is adding it to their next version of Apple’s iOS iteration slated for release in Spring 2011.

“We are committed to bringing innovation into the oligopolistic marketplace to make international calls either free or super-cheap for our customers,” said Andreas Bernstrom, CEO of Rebtel. “Our BlackBerry app, in addition to our Android app, delivers this in a powerful way, and the fact that this can be used across the bulk of Smartphone devices is a huge advantage to mobile users who are looking to connect with friends and family across the globe in the most inexpensive way possible.

According to a January 2011 report from app store analytics company Distimo, RIM’s BlackBerry App World showed triple digit growth in the last year, growing to nearly 18,000 applications.

Google estimates that there are now more than 500 thousand apps running on more than 150 million mobile devices, and that the app economy is estimated to be $2 billion annually, growing to $4 billion by 2012.

In terms of over all consumer market share, a January report from Nielsen states that Android OS (25.8%) is still behind Apple’s iOS (28.6%). RIM’s share (26.1%) puts it within the margin of error of both Apple iOS and Android. Statistically, BlackBerry OS remains tied with both Apple for first and Android for third.

Rebtel for BlackBerry includes:

Free international calls: Calls from Rebtel users to BlackBerry or Android devices with the application enabled from any phone are completely free of international charges.

Seamless background integration: When the user dials an international number, or selects an address book contact with an international number, the call is automatically intercepted and routed via Rebtel instead of their carrier.

No Wi-Fi needed: Similar to Rebtel’s Android app, Rebtel for BlackBerry works on the standard cellular network using local phone numbers and users’ monthly local minutes instead of requiring an active Wi-Fi connection to connect calls. The Rebtel app works anytime, anywhere and works with the standard operator, dialer and address book.

Rebtel for BlackBerry is available starting today on BlackBerry App World.

Rebel on the Rise

Rebtel has become the world’s largest independent mobile VoIP-company with more than 9 million callers and over one billion minutes of international calls logged. Rebtel revenue grew more than 100% in 2010 to approximately $40 million, and with a run rate of $55 million Rebtel should generate a projected revenue of $75 million in 2011.

Rebtel has come a long way since its founding by Hjalmar Winbladh and Jonas Lindroth in 2006, whose previous venture was sold to Microsoft, with two strategic acquisitions and the launch of international calling applications for iOS in 2009, Android in 2010, and now BlackBerry in 2011.

Unlike Skype, which still requires calls to be made over Wi-Fi, a fixed Internet connection, or a $99 per month Verizon plan, Rebtel works with any phone — landline, feature phone, or Smartphone — for just the low price of the call. There are no monthly fees, no connection fees, or hidden costs to use Rebtel.

By: Alex Drewniak, January 14th, 2011 Tags: app world, BlackBerry, rebtel, rim

New Rebtel Survey Projects 58.8 Million Americans Now Calling Abroad and Spending $23.8 Billion Annually

San Francisco, USA & Stockholm, Sweden – November 5, 2010 - Rebtel, the world’s largest independent mobile VoIP company, today announced part two of a two-part survey conducted on their behalf by Harris Interactive online in September, which measured consumer sentiment on International calling services and providers.

According to the study, 1 in 4 U.S adults make international calls, and of those who spend money to make such calls, the average spend is approximately $34 every month. With an estimated 235 million U.S. adults, this works out to roughly 58.8 million Americans shelling out nearly $1.98 billion on international calls outside of the U.S. monthly and $23.8 billion annually.

For adults who make international calls, the majority do so using a landline (51%), either a traditional landline service provider (42%) and/or a VoIP service such as Vonage (12%). Another 44% make international phone calls via their mobile phones, through carrier calling rates (25%), special long distance packages (20%), and/or a VoIP service/application (9%). Another 25% of those who make international phone calls do so using their computer through software based services like Skype, while 20% use calling cards and 4% use something else.

“The international calling industry for calling from the U.S. abroad is now estimated at a $23.8 billion market,” said Andreas Bernstrom, CEO of Rebtel. “Over the next few years we believe this will shift in a dramatic way, to low calling solutions on mobile phones away from the landline.”

Men call Mars. Women call Venus.

• Of those who make international phone calls men are more likely than women to do so via their computer through software based services like Skype (31% vs. 19% respectively).

• Men are more likely than women to say that if they were going to change the way they make international phone calls they would switch to use their mobile phone VoIP service/application (10% vs. 2% respectively) or a landline (26% vs. 10% respectively).

• Men are more likely than women to say they make video calls (16% vs. 11% respectively). Of men and women who do make video calls, men are also more likely than women to say that they would be willing to pay a monthly fee to be able to do so (42% vs. 24% respectively).

Ethnic breakdown: General U.S populations vs. Hispanic and Black/African American respondents

The study also took a look at two of the most heavily represented ethnic groups and found that Hispanic respondents led the way in international calls with 36% saying they make them, whereas only 26% of the Black/African American respondents said they make calls internationally.

Have a smartphone with an application for international calling:

Hispanic respondents – 14%

Black/African American respondents – 14%

U.S / General population – 8%

Make video phone calls:

Hispanic respondents – 22%

U.S / General population – 14%

Black/African American respondents – 10%

Those who make video calls would be willing to pay a monthly fee for the service:

Hispanic respondents – 58%

Black/African American respondents – 37%

U.S / General population – 34%

For those who spend money to make calls, the average spent per month is:

Hispanic respondents – $46

Black/African American respondents – $35

U.S. / General population – $34

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Rebtel from September 1 – 3, 2010 among 2,258 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Eric Gonzalez at eric@vscconsulting.com.

By: Alex Drewniak, November 10th, 2010 Tags: harris interactive, internet telephony, rebtel, video calling, VoIP

A Massive 56% Of Consumer Who Make International Calls Are Looking To Switch Services According To New Survey

San Francisco, USA & Stockholm, SWEDEN – September 28, 2010 – Rebtel, the world’s largest independent mobile VoIP company, today announced part one of a two-part September 2010 survey conducted on their behalf by Harris Interactive online, which measured consumer sentiment on long distance calling services and providers.

According to responses, a strong majority (56%) of U.S. adults who make intertional phone calls would switch the way they make them. The study also found that more than 2 in 5 of these adults (43%) say they would switch to using their mobile phone to make those calls. “The message seems clear, consumers want to change their existing provider and change to calling from a mobile hand-set,” said Andreas Bernstrom, CEO of Rebtel.

According to responses, a strong majority (56%) of U.S. adults who make intertional phone calls are would switch the way they make them.

Of the adults who said they would switch to their mobile phone, 19% said they would switch to using special long distance packages, while 16% said they would switch to using their mobile phone using regular carrier calling rates. A surprising 11% said they would use a VoIP service/application.

“This signals a major opportunity for calling companies and services to capture a majority of the U.S. consumer market. Our findings demonstrate that international calling is a wide open market for innovative and inexpensive calling services, and will allow services like Google Voice to pose a real threat to operators.”

In terms of video calls, 14% of Americans said they currently make them, with a staggering 34% of respondents saying they would be willing to pay a monthly fee. “This opens up a new, non-ad based revenue model for providers like Skype who are looking to monetize on their video services”, said Bernstrom. Of those that replied ‘yes’ to paying for these calls, 15% said they would be willing to pay under $5, with 7% stating they would be willing to spend between $5 and $10 a month. 6% said they would spend more than $10, and another 6% said they would be willing to pay no matter what the cost.

In terms of video calls, 14% of Americans said they currently make them, with a staggering 34% of respondents saying they would be willing to pay a monthly fee.

Of those that replied ‘yes’ to paying for these calls, 44% said they would be willing to pay under $5, with 21% stating they would be willing to spend between $5 and $10 a month. 18% said they would spend more than $10, and 17% said they would be willing to pay no matter what the cost.

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Rebtel from September 1 – 3, 2010 among 2,258 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Eric Gonzalez at eric@vscconsulting.com.

By: Alex Drewniak, September 28th, 2010 Tags: harris interactive, international calling behaviour, internet telephony, rebtel, VoIP

Widespread Fraud By Calling Cards Exposed In First-Ever Report On U.S. Calling Habits To Trinidad And Tobago

San Francisco – September 7 – People in the U.S. who use international calling cards to stay in touch with family and friends in Trinidad and Tobago said they almost never get all of the calling minutes purchased, and that calling card fraud has cheated some of them by as much as $1,000.

The first-ever report on calling habits to Trinidad and Tobago from the U.S. revealed that 75.3% believe they received fewer minutes than promised by calling cards.  The average loss due to fraudulent cards was $90, the study found, but many respondents said the total sum lost was far greater.

Conducted during August 2010 by Rebtel, the first-ever research uncovered fascinating facts and findings on U.S. calling habits to Trinidad and Tobago.

Nearly two-thirds – 61.2% – of Rebtel calls to Trinidad and Tobago that originate in the U.S. go to family members; 36.5% go to friends; only 2.4% go to business associates. Calling rates are hands-down the most important aspect of international calling among survey respondents, with call quality second.

Among survey participants, 73.2% said Rebtel rates are better than alternatives for calling Trinidad and Tobago.  Almost 71% said Rebtel offers superior call quality.

For calling Trinidad and Tobago, 96.5% of survey respondents said they would recommend Rebtel to friends.

Release of the study coincides with dramatic rate reductions by Rebtel on calls to Trinidad and Tobago: a 72% cut on calls to landlines and up to 22% on calls to mobile phones.

Founded in 2006, Stockholm-based Rebtel was established to give people around the world an alternative to rip-off phone cards’ rates for making international calls.

By: Alex Drewniak, September 9th, 2010 Tags: "calling cards", cheap calls, international calling, internet telephony, rebtel, Trinidad and Tobago, VoIP

Liberians And Ivoirians In U.S. Cheated By Calling Cards, Rebtel Study Reveals

San Francisco – September 10 – Liberians and Ivoirians in the U.S. who use international calling cards to stay in touch with family at home, said they almost never get all of the calling minutes purchased, and that calling card fraud has cheated some of them by as much as $2,000.

The first-ever report on calling habits to Liberia and the Ivory Coast from the U.S. found that 90.9% of Liberians, and 82.2% of Ivoirians believe they receive fewer minutes than promised by calling card providers.  The average loss due to fraudulent cards was $125, the study found, but many respondents said the total sum lost was far greater.

Conducted last month by Rebtel, the first-ever research uncovered fascinating findings on U.S. calling habits to Liberia and the Ivory Coast.

Nearly 80% of Rebtel calls to the Ivory Coast from the U.S. go to family members. Calling rates are most important to Ivoirians when it comes to international calls.  But call quality is No.1 for Liberians.

Of the Ivoirians participating in the survey, 62% said Rebtel rates are better than alternatives for calling home.  Approximately 89% of the Liberians who took the survey said Rebtel offers superior call quality.

Release of the study coincides with dramatic rate reductions by Rebtel on calls to the Ivory Coast and Liberia: a 20% cut on calls to landlines and up to 40% on calls to mobile phones.

Founded in 2006, Rebtel was established to give people around the world an alternative to rip-off rates for making international calls.

By: Alex Drewniak, September 9th, 2010 Tags: "calling cards", cheap calls, international calling, ivory coast, liberia, rebtel, VoIP

Free Calls To And From Dominican Republic

Stockholm – July 19, 2010 – Dominicans are again able to call any phone, anywhere in the world for just pennies per minute, and make free calls to loved ones in 50 countries – including the U.S. – now that Rebtel service has been restored.

The international calling service provided by Rebtel, the world’s largest independent mobile VoIP company, can be used with any phone, just the way it is, and without any modification to the customer’s current phone plan.

There is no charge to set up a Rebtel account. Everyone gets a free five minute call to test the service. Thereafter, subscribers only pay for the minutes they use, and on average realize savings of up to 95 percent compared to traditional long-distance rates.

Rebtel’s low-cost calls from the Dominican Republic to any phone in the United States, where Dominicans now represent the fifth largest Hispanic group, cost just $0.015 USD per minute

Smart Calls between the Dominican Republic and the 50 other countries served by Rebtel are always free, and only one of the two people on a call must be a Rebtel subscriber.

“With more than 1 million Dominicans living and working in the U.S., Rebtel is the cheapest, easiest way to keep in touch with your loved ones and now you can even make that international call for free,” said Andreas Bernström, Rebtel CEO.

Rebel with a cause
Founded in 2006, Stockholm-based Rebtel took its name from its rebel stance in the telecom industry. Its vision was to replace fraudulent calling cards, cumbersome computer calling, and operators’ expensive international calling plans with the world’s first genuinely good, honest, trustworthy, and easy-to-use global international calling service.

The company’s mission was equally simple and straightforward: Make reliable, high-quality international calling extremely cheap or free worldwide.

Unlike Skype, which requires international calls to be made over Wi-Fi, a fixed Internet connection, or a $99 per month Verizon plan, Rebtel works with any phone – landline, feature phone, or smart phone – for just the low price of the call.

“Four million Rebtel customers pay only for the minutes they use – or make free calls – and you can too,” said Bernström. “It’s time to join the Rebtel revolution like millions have done worldwide, and just say, no, to fraudulent calling cards, fiddly computer calling, and carriers’ expensive international calling plans.”

By: zuzia, July 19th, 2010 Tags: dominican republic, free calling, internet telephony, rebtel, VoIP

Free Calling To Canada During Canada Day On The 1st of July

Stockholm – June 28, 2010 – Celebrate Canada Day, call home all day on the 1st of July free of charge.

Rebtel, the world’s largest independent mobile VoIP company, is offering unlimited free calling to Canada from 48 countries in celebration of Canada Day from Newfoundland Daylight Saving time (UTC – 2.5) to Pacific Daylight Saving Time (UTC – 7).

“Rebtel was founded to be the best way to stay connected to your loved ones without paying too much and since Canada day is a big celebration for our users we want to help them re-connect by making the calling free on that day. We also want to show people calling Canada that you can just call as normal with local numbers from Rebtel and save up to 95%.” said Andreas Bernström, Rebtel’s CEO. “We have over four million users who stay in touch with their loved ones using our services from over 190 countries.”

Rebel with a cause

Founded in 2006, Stockholm-based Rebtel took its name from its rebel stance in the telecom industry. Its vision was to replace fraudulent calling cards, cumbersome computer calling, and operators’ expensive international calling plans with the world’s first genuinely good, honest, trustworthy, and easy-to-use global international calling service.

The company’s mission was equally simple and straightforward: Make reliable, high-quality international calling extremely cheap or free worldwide.

Unlike Skype, which requires international calls to be made over Wi-Fi, a fixed Internet connection, or a $99 per month Verizon plan, Rebtel works with any phone landline, feature phone, or smart phone.

Today, millions of people around the world use Rebtel every day to call family at home.

By: Alex Drewniak, June 28th, 2010 Tags: canada day, free calling, internet telephony, rebtel, VoIP

Free Calling To The U.S. During Independence Day On The 4th of July

Stockholm – June 28, 2010 – Celebrate Independence Day, call home all day, free of charge on the 4th of July.

Rebtel, the world’s largest independent mobile VoIP company, is offering unlimited free calling to the U.S. from 48 countries in celebration of the American Independence Day. Free calling is offered from Eastern Standard Time (UTC – 5) to PST = Pacific Standard Time (UTC – (State of Alaska and Hawaii excluded).

“We know it’s important to stay in touch with your friends or loved ones without paying too much and that is why Rebtel was founded. Since Independence Day is a big celebration for our users we want to help them re-connect by making the calling free on that day. We also want to show people calling the United States that you can just call as normal with local numbers from Rebtel and save up to 95%.” said Andreas Bernström, Rebtel’s CEO. “We are growing rapidly and have over four million users who stay in touch with their friends or loved ones using our services from over 190 countries.”

Rebel with a cause

Founded in 2006, Stockholm-based Rebtel took its name from its rebel stance in the telecom industry. Its vision was to replace fraudulent calling cards, cumbersome computer calling, and operators’ expensive international calling plans with the world’s first genuinely good, honest, trustworthy, and easy-to-use global international calling service.

The company’s mission was equally simple and straightforward: Make reliable, high-quality international calling extremely cheap or free worldwide. Unlike Skype, which requires international calls to be made over Wi-Fi, a fixed Internet connection, or a $99 per month Verizon plan, Rebtel works with any phone landline, feature phone, or smart phone.

Today, millions of people around the world use Rebtel every day to call family at home.

By: Alex Drewniak, June 28th, 2010 Tags: free calling, independence day, internet telephony, rebtel, VoIP

Nepalese In U.S. Cheated By Calling Cards

San Francisco – May 13, 2010 - Nepalese in the U.S. who use international calling cards to stay in touch with family at home said they often get only half the of the calling minutes purchased, and that calling card fraud has cheated some of them by as much as $1,000.

The first-ever report on U.S. calling habits to Nepal from the U.S. revealed that 68.6% of Nepalese in the U.S. believe they received fewer minutes than promised by calling card providers. The average loss due to fraudulent cards was $41, the study found, but many respondents said the total sum lost was far greater.

Conducted in the first four months of 2010 by Rebtel, the first-ever research uncovered fascinating facts and findings on U.S. calling habits to Nepal, birthplace of Buddha and home to eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest.

• Saturdays and Sundays are the days that most Nepalese abroad call home.
• The largest numbers of Rebtel calls from the U.S. to Nepal originate in Texas, Minnesota and California.
• The vast majority of calls go to mobile phones vs. landlines.
• Average duration of calls to Nepal from the U.S. is a brief 5.38 minutes.

Nearly all Rebtel calls to Nepal that originate in the U.S. – 91.6% – go to family members, 7.6% are to friends, and only a scant .8% go to business associates, according to the survey respondents. Call quality and ease of use are more important than lower rates when choosing international phone service, survey respondents said.

Top U.S. Cities Calling Nepal – January through April 2010:

1. Wichita, Kansas

2. New York City

3. Huntsville, Alabama

4. Minneapolis, Minnesota

5. Dallas, Texas

6. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

7. Peoria, Illinois

8. Omaha, Nebraska

9. Saint Cloud, Minnesota

10. Boston, Massachusetts

Of the Nepalese participating in the survey, 82% said Rebtel call quality was noticeably better than other phone services for calling family in Nepal, and 80.8% said Rebtel was easier to use.

“The most reliable and clear connections plus ease of use are what bring customers to Rebtel, but the reason people use our services day in and day out is our consistently competitive rates for staying connected with their loved ones back home,” said Andreas Bernström, Rebtel CEO. “That’s what Rebtel is really all about – and why 94.2 percent of our Nepalese customers recommend Rebtel to their friends.”

Release of the study coincides with dramatic rate reductions by Rebtel on calls to Nepal: a 24% cut on calls to landlines and 30% on calls to mobile phones.Founded in 2006, Stockholm-based Rebtel was established to give people around the world an alternative to mobile operators’ rip-off rates for making international calls. Today, thousands of Nepalese in the U.S. use Rebtel every day to call family at home.Rebtel has been ranked No.1 in international calling by Technology Appraisals and has been featured in USA Today, The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and The International Herald Tribune for its unique calling service

By: Alex Drewniak, May 13th, 2010 Tags: "calling cards", nepal, phone cards, rebtel

U.S.-Based Africans Divided On Favorite Phones But United On International Calling Service Preferences

San Francisco – April 21, 2010 – iPhone is the favorite among Egyptians in the U.S, while Ugandans here favor the BlackBerry.  Samsung and Nokia phones tie for first preference among Sierra Leoneans living in America, and the Zambians dig Nokias.

Those findings and more come from a just-released study of international calling habits and preferences among Africans living in the U.S., provided by the Internet phone company, Rebtel.

• Saturdays and Sundays are the days that most Africans abroad call home, although Zambians prefer Saturdays, while Sunday is more popular among Egyptians, Ugandans and Sierra Leoneans.
• The largest number of calls from the U.S. to Egypt, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zambia originate in primarily Eastern and Mid-western states.
• The vast majority of calls go to mobile phones vs. landlines.

Among the survey respondents, 73.2% of calls are to family, 16.1% are to friends, and only 9.6% call business associates at home.

Top Three U.S. States Calling:

• Egypt: New York, New Jersey, California
• Uganda: Minnesota, Massachusetts, Texas
• Zambia: Ohio, Illinois, Maryland

Of the Africans participating in the survey, 65.4 % said Rebtel call quality was noticeably better than other phone services for calling family abroad; 79.7% said Rebtel was easier to use.  And well over half – 61.8% – said Rebtel rates consistently beat the competition.

Starting this month Rebtel, which works with any carrier or phone, cut its calling rates to a handful of African nations.

“There is absolutely no need to pay traditional carriers’ crazy rates when you want to talk to your family back home on the weekends,” said Andreas Bernström, Rebtel CEO.  “Nor do you have to risk getting ripped off by calling cards. Just say, ‘No’ to the old way of calling, and give Rebtel a try.”

Founded in 2006, Stockholm-based Rebtel was established to give people around the world an alternative to mobile operators’ rip-off rates for making international calls. Today, thousands of Africans living in the U.S. use Rebtel every day to call family at home.

Rebtel has been ranked No.1 in international calling by Technology Appraisals and has been featured in USA Today, The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and The International Herald Tribune for its unique calling service.

By: Alex Drewniak, April 21st, 2010 Tags: Africa, andreas bernstrom, Apple, BlackBerry, Nokia, rebtel, VoIP