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, 27 Nov 2009 12:40:39 -0800 hourly 1 By: Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding | netdesk http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/comment-page-1/#comment-2725723 Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding | netdesk Fri, 01 May 2009 09:08:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2725723 [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at $12 million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of $10 million according to [...] [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at $12 million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of $10 million according to [...]

]]> By: Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding | Reviews Manual http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/comment-page-1/#comment-2724263 Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding | Reviews Manual Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:45:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2724263 [...] turn upraised was not shared, but we’re told that the ordinal ammo is pretty such on par with the Series B ammo the consort winking in August 2007 (estimated at $12 meg when we reportable it, but more in the neighborhood of $10 meg according to [...] [...] turn upraised was not shared, but we’re told that the ordinal ammo is pretty such on par with the Series B ammo the consort winking in August 2007 (estimated at $12 meg when we reportable it, but more in the neighborhood of $10 meg according to [...]

]]> By: Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding | Stoth http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/comment-page-1/#comment-2724087 Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding | Stoth Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:29:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2724087 [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at $12 million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of $10 million according to [...] [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at $12 million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of $10 million according to [...]

]]> By: Techeroid » Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/comment-page-1/#comment-2724066 Techeroid » Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:20:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2724066 [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at $12 million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of $10 million according to [...] [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at $12 million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of $10 million according to [...]

]]> By: Trade Jim News » Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/comment-page-1/#comment-2724017 Trade Jim News » Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:10:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2724017 [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of million according to later [...] [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of million according to later [...]

]]> By: Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/comment-page-1/#comment-2723973 Mobile Communication Startup fring Bags More Funding Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:38:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2723973 [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at $12 million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of $10 million according to [...] [...] amount raised was not shared, but we’re told that the third round is pretty much on par with the Series B round the company closed in August 2007 (estimated at $12 million when we reported it, but more in the vicinity of $10 million according to [...]

]]> By: Del dine filer via Fring: Voipbloggen http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/comment-page-1/#comment-2618955 Del dine filer via Fring: Voipbloggen Sat, 07 Feb 2009 23:21:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2618955 [...] 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: Fring Trials Ads On Free Mobile Chat/VoIP Application | All tech stuff http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/comment-page-1/#comment-2537636 Fring Trials Ads On Free Mobile Chat/VoIP Application | All tech stuff Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:02:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/#comment-2537636 [...] available in January 2007, and is now being used by millions of users across the globe. With (at least) $10 million in venture funding, the company was bound to come up with a monetization effort for [...] [...] available in January 2007, and is now being used by millions of users across the globe. With (at least) $10 million in venture funding, the company was bound to come up with a monetization effort for [...]

]]> 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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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: Bill Rooney http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/10/voip-startup-fring-raises-12-million-series-b/comment-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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-page-1/#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

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