Comments on: VOIP Startup Fring Raises $12 Million Series B http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/ Startup and Technology News Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:41:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: The blog of all and sundry » Blog Archive » Turn your iPhone into a wifi Skype phone http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2184650 The blog of all and sundry » Blog Archive » Turn your iPhone into a wifi Skype phone Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:32:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2184650 [...] looks like they recently got 12 million in second round funding.  Whatever their plans, I’m enjoying it for now despite its limitations.  If you have an [...] [...] looks like they recently got 12 million in second round funding.  Whatever their plans, I’m enjoying it for now despite its limitations.  If you have an [...]

]]> By: Mobilestatistics.eu » Blog Archives » Mobile VOIP company Fring gets more funding http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1982143 Mobilestatistics.eu » Blog Archives » Mobile VOIP company Fring gets more funding Sat, 09 Feb 2008 22:20:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1982143 [...] a mobile VOIP company, raised 12 million USD in a second round funding from North Bridge Venture Partners, VenFin Limited and current investors [...] [...] a mobile VOIP company, raised 12 million USD in a second round funding from North Bridge Venture Partners, VenFin Limited and current investors [...]

]]> By: Fring Adds File-Swapping To Its Mobile VoIP App : New Web 2.0 Magazine http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1978921 Fring Adds File-Swapping To Its Mobile VoIP App : New Web 2.0 Magazine Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:47:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1978921 [...] Schecter says he is adding about 100,000 registered users per month. Fring is based in Israel and raised $12 million last August in a B round from North Bridge Venture Partners, VenFin, Pitango, Veritas, and Yossi [...] [...] Schecter says he is adding about 100,000 registered users per month. Fring is based in Israel and raised $12 million last August in a B round from North Bridge Venture Partners, VenFin, Pitango, Veritas, and Yossi [...]

]]> By: Del dine filer via Fring | VoipBloggen http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1976990 Del dine filer via Fring | VoipBloggen Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:39:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1976990 [...] spændende skridt fra den altid aktive Israelsk baserede Fring-tjeneste. Det lader til at de bruger de 12 mio. kr. de rejste i august til gode [...] [...] spændende skridt fra den altid aktive Israelsk baserede Fring-tjeneste. Det lader til at de bruger de 12 mio. kr. de rejste i august til gode [...]

]]> By: Federico Nano » Blog Archive » El verdadero Triple Play http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1788220 Federico Nano » Blog Archive » El verdadero Triple Play Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:27:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1788220 [...] a 1.000 MM; la actual presencia de Jajah, camino a los tres millones de usuarios; con el  start-up israelí Fring, recibiendo 12 MM en una primera ronda de inversores; con Google comprando [...] [...] a 1.000 MM; la actual presencia de Jajah, camino a los tres millones de usuarios; con el  start-up israelí Fring, recibiendo 12 MM en una primera ronda de inversores; con Google comprando [...]

]]> By: Ant http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1568700 Ant Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:24:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1568700 Bill, You mentioned WiFiMobile. They have just added a facility where you can make international calls at local rates. This addresses the problem of not always finding a Wi-Fi access point or having an unlimited data plan. Bill,

You mentioned WiFiMobile. They have just added a facility where you can make international calls at local rates. This addresses the problem of not always finding a Wi-Fi access point or having an unlimited data plan.

]]> By: Three Ways Startups Are Providing VOIP | Tekjuice.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1558333 Three Ways Startups Are Providing VOIP | Tekjuice.com Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:09:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1558333 [...] so your friends on those dated PSTN phones can call you back. They recently raised another round of $12 million and have received a lot of praise from us in the [...] [...] so your friends on those dated PSTN phones can call you back. They recently raised another round of $12 million and have received a lot of praise from us in the [...]

]]> By: Bill Rooney http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1555862 Bill Rooney Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:41:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1555862 This is welcome news. Companies like Fring and WiFiMobile have invested vast amounts of time and money developing their own VoIP client and deserve to be rewarded. It seems all to easy to simply ride on the back of the Nokia client. This is welcome news. Companies like Fring and WiFiMobile have invested vast amounts of time and money developing their own VoIP client and deserve to be rewarded. It seems all to easy to simply ride on the back of the Nokia client.

]]> By: Justin http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1555287 Justin Tue, 14 Aug 2007 06:52:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1555287 Jt, (thats my name too) - when it comes to mobile voip, internet service provided by mobile operators is at, the very best, satisfactory. Other wireless means of internet delivery such as WiFi and WiMAX are the future - look at developments in singapore, london, paris to name but a few. By september, you could telly our mobile operator to hit the dirt as full, national FREE wifi access will be rolled out over singapore. It is the the mobile operators that will need to adjust their business models if they wish to survive in the long term. At the end of the day, they will never be able to compete on price with mVoIP especially as free, public access wifi becomes a reality in more n more places. Ok, so fring just raised 12m bucks, they probably need to having gone the skype piggy-backing route. but look at companies such as Yeigo, there are under 20 people on permanent staff, and theres been no running to the hills for investors. They're small, agile and efficient - this is what we want from a service provider, and not to be subsidizing manchester uniteds fetish for big bling american SUVs. Yeigo delivers a world-class mVoIP service over their OWN system - i.e. they didnt buy or free-load off other, already congested, and outdated systems. Granted the technology is a couple years away from being common-place but the beginning is here, now and it works! The only way MNO's could compete with companies like Yeigo, Fring etc, is if they started paying YOU to call. They will need to adapt or the mVoIP crowd, and, inevitably - the World - will just look elsewhere. J Jt, (thats my name too) - when it comes to mobile voip, internet service provided by mobile operators is at, the very best, satisfactory. Other wireless means of internet delivery such as WiFi and WiMAX are the future - look at developments in singapore, london, paris to name but a few.

By september, you could telly our mobile operator to hit the dirt as full, national FREE wifi access will be rolled out over singapore. It is the the mobile operators that will need to adjust their business models if they wish to survive in the long term. At the end of the day, they will never be able to compete on price with mVoIP especially as free, public access wifi becomes a reality in more n more places.

Ok, so fring just raised 12m bucks, they probably need to having gone the skype piggy-backing route. but look at companies such as Yeigo, there are under 20 people on permanent staff, and theres been no running to the hills for investors. They’re small, agile and efficient - this is what we want from a service provider, and not to be subsidizing manchester uniteds fetish for big bling american SUVs.

Yeigo delivers a world-class mVoIP service over their OWN system - i.e. they didnt buy or free-load off other, already congested, and outdated systems. Granted the technology is a couple years away from being common-place but the beginning is here, now and it works!

The only way MNO’s could compete with companies like Yeigo, Fring etc, is if they started paying YOU to call. They will need to adapt or the mVoIP crowd, and, inevitably - the World - will just look elsewhere.

J

]]> By: JT http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1552892 JT Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:11:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1552892 1. Mobile Network Operators will make every effort to block VoIP, or price around it within their data offers. Though Truphone has been awarded an injunction against T-Mobile not terminating their calls, there is an appeal in place, and this will at some point go to court. As much as I favour a robust competitive market, I do not see the Mobile Network Operators losing this battle. They have paid HUGE licensing fees to governments to acquire spectrum and build THEIR networks. Mobile is NOT like the landline phone business. THe MNOs have bought and paid for their networks, and spectrum, and should have the full right to determine what is transmitted over their airwaves. 2. ELIAS - you make a very valuable point which is the real price competitiveness of VoIP. The incumbents have a lot of room to drop pricing to the point where making a move to VoIP is no longer based on a massive cost savings. So I think think the VCs are taking a big risk here... but perhaps one that are willing to make as a hedge just in case third party VoIP providers do manage to use the MNOs airwaves for free. JT 1. Mobile Network Operators will make every effort to block VoIP, or price around it within their data offers. Though Truphone has been awarded an injunction against T-Mobile not terminating their calls, there is an appeal in place, and this will at some point go to court. As much as I favour a robust competitive market, I do not see the Mobile Network Operators losing this battle. They have paid HUGE licensing fees to governments to acquire spectrum and build THEIR networks. Mobile is NOT like the landline phone business. THe MNOs have bought and paid for their networks, and spectrum, and should have the full right to determine what is transmitted over their airwaves.

2. ELIAS - you make a very valuable point which is the real price competitiveness of VoIP. The incumbents have a lot of room to drop pricing to the point where making a move to VoIP is no longer based on a massive cost savings.

So I think think the VCs are taking a big risk here… but perhaps one that are willing to make as a hedge just in case third party VoIP providers do manage to use the MNOs airwaves for free.

JT

]]> By: Sean http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1552138 Sean Sun, 12 Aug 2007 08:53:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1552138 Fring is great - i have used it for months mainly for mobile access to all my skype and msn contacts; its totally free over wifi and because i have a decent data plan, its totally free for me over 3g too :) Fring is great - i have used it for months mainly for mobile access to all my skype and msn contacts; its totally free over wifi and because i have a decent data plan, its totally free for me over 3g too :)

]]> By: David Mackey http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1550792 David Mackey Sat, 11 Aug 2007 11:28:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1550792 Sounds cool. Though I'll probably just use Skype, for the cell and home. Sounds cool. Though I’ll probably just use Skype, for the cell and home.

]]> By: TruLover http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1550497 TruLover Sat, 11 Aug 2007 07:37:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1550497 ((truphone)) www.truphone.com does something similar ((truphone)) http://www.truphone.com does something similar

]]> By: TechZilo http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1549209 TechZilo Fri, 10 Aug 2007 21:12:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1549209 This looks slick. Maybe worth for Asians ;) This looks slick. Maybe worth for Asians ;)

]]> By: Elias http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1549074 Elias Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:50:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1549074 I used to live in the EU for over 4 years (2002-2006) after 18 years as a technologist in the Washington DC. During that period living and working there, I learned that due to unreliable and disappointingly inefficient service by the traditional phone companies there (both mobile and fixed), VoIP has a much more obvious market in the EU. People in the US are generally being well served by multiple service providers with great customer support. Their pricing is so low that I wonder if the audience for VoIP will be easily won over – a classic example, we all saw what happened to SunRocket. I had predicted that when they even got their funding. I even brought it up to them. Well, I was ignored. As a result, $80 m was flush down to the toilet. I am sure you are aware the US based phone companies are all also offer VoIP to their US based subscribers, but there are many reasons they have not become so aggressive about it. The main one is most subscribers living in the US are happy with what they have and most of them do not make international calls – for a nation of 300 million , only 7% of Americans have a passport. So, do the math. Therefore, VoIP will not bring much value to the people in America. Don't get me wrong, there will still be many subscribers jumping on this VoIP services, but such limited numbers will not really help VoIP grow in the US and take market sure in such competitive sector. By contrast, service by traditional phone companies in the EU and Middle East are so poor that subscribers are willing to pay more just to get decent service. The need for a VoIP company like Fring would be immediately apparent, with customers receiving better service, more inexpensively. I used to live in the EU for over 4 years (2002-2006) after 18 years as a technologist in the Washington DC. During that period living and working there, I learned that due to unreliable and disappointingly inefficient service by the traditional phone companies there (both mobile and fixed), VoIP has a much more obvious market in the EU. People in the US are generally being well served by multiple service providers with great customer support. Their pricing is so low that I wonder if the audience for VoIP will be easily won over – a classic example, we all saw what happened to SunRocket. I had predicted that when they even got their funding. I even brought it up to them. Well, I was ignored. As a result, $80 m was flush down to the toilet.

I am sure you are aware the US based phone companies are all also offer VoIP to their US based subscribers, but there are many reasons they have not become so aggressive about it. The main one is most subscribers living in the US are happy with what they have and most of them do not make international calls – for a nation of 300 million , only 7% of Americans have a passport. So, do the math. Therefore, VoIP will not bring much value to
the people in America. Don’t get me wrong, there will still be many subscribers jumping on this VoIP services, but such limited numbers will not really help VoIP grow in the US and take market sure in such competitive sector.

By contrast, service by traditional phone companies in the EU and Middle East are so poor that subscribers are willing to pay more just to get decent service. The need for a VoIP company like Fring would be immediately apparent, with customers receiving better service, more inexpensively.

]]> By: Dan http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548992 Dan Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:01:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548992 Fring works quite well from AT&T 8525 (aka HTC). Can call over 3G or wifi; skype contacts auto-load. Love it! Fring works quite well from AT&T 8525 (aka HTC). Can call over 3G or wifi; skype contacts auto-load. Love it!

]]> By: VOIP Populi http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548984 VOIP Populi Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:59:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548984 This is great. Like the free mobile calls and IM :) This is great. Like the free mobile calls and IM :)

]]> By: Rajesh Shakya http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548965 Rajesh Shakya Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:49:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548965 Sound interesting. Rajesh Shakya http://www.rajeshshakya.com Sound interesting.

Rajesh Shakya
http://www.rajeshshakya.com

]]> By: Ouriel Ohayon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548791 Ouriel Ohayon Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:08:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548791 i confirm. iSkoot is great for BB. as well as Nimbuzz i confirm. iSkoot is great for BB. as well as Nimbuzz

]]> By: Alexandre http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548780 Alexandre Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:02:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548780 And for Blackberry users, you can use iSkoot for Skype VoIP! For me, simply the best software for IM on Blackberry And for Blackberry users, you can use iSkoot for Skype VoIP! For me, simply the best software for IM on Blackberry

]]> By: Mark http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548758 Mark Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:50:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548758 looks interesting ------------- http://filelime.com looks interesting

————-

http://filelime.com

]]> By: The Buxr Widget http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548736 The Buxr Widget Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:34:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548736 The T-Mobile Wifi/Cellphone plan I heard in the NYT is a great deal.. You get the best of both worlds.. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/05/technology/circuits/05pogue.html?ex=1186891200&en=76e4e89037a84a98&ei=5070 The T-Mobile Wifi/Cellphone plan I heard in the NYT is a great deal.. You get the best of both worlds..

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07.....mp;ei=5070

]]> By: Tek http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548684 Tek Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:06:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548684 nice, but I still don't see how they have anything on Nimbuzz, which allows me to make calls for free and supports over 500 phones. Seriously, Nimbuzz has been such a joy to use and I have tried EQO, Frin, Trufone, Jahja etc, but keep coming back to Nimbuzz - it's just a very well integrated solution. Thought I might spread the word on this positive experience so other can have the same. nice, but I still don’t see how they have anything on Nimbuzz, which allows me to make calls for free and supports over 500 phones. Seriously, Nimbuzz has been such a joy to use and I have tried EQO, Frin, Trufone, Jahja etc, but keep coming back to Nimbuzz - it’s just a very well integrated solution. Thought I might spread the word on this positive experience so other can have the same.

]]> By: Marco http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548678 Marco Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:04:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548678 It's just a matter of time until the mobile network providers begin to block VoIP.... :( It’s just a matter of time until the mobile network providers begin to block VoIP…. :(

]]> By: BeingParents http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548566 BeingParents Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:55:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-1548566 Cheap or Free calls you can't go wrong. Those are consumer's favorite two words. Why should we pay more for calls if the don't have too ? This is a great service. Cheap or Free calls you can’t go wrong. Those are consumer’s favorite two words. Why should we pay more for calls if the don’t have too ? This is a great service.

]]>