Before yesterday, I didn’t believe that voice call via VoIP using mobile phones will be usable (at least) until next year. The reason is because data plan for 3G is still too expensive. Worse, I even don’t have 3G account because my operator does not support it yet…. :( Another reason is because not so many mobile phones support WiFi yet.However, yesterday I changed my mind. There is a new application from Richmond, British Columbia (the place where I live), called EQO. It allows us to make voice call via VoIP but with a very cheap price. You don’t need 3G network or GPRS network. You even don’t need WiFi phone. What do we need then?

  • Mobile phone with GPRS connection (all S60 phones should be okay). Don’t be afraid about GPRS, we will NOT use it to make call via VoIP (I know GPRS is still too expensive for some people). GPRS will be used for something else… :)
  • Skype application on your PC with SkypeOut account. SkypeOut account allows you to make voice call from your PC to any phone numbers. SkypeOut is not free, but the price is quite reasonable.
  • EQO agent on your PC and EQO application on your mobile phone. Download both of them from EQO web site. They are free (at least still free until I write this blog).

So, how can we make a voice call using EQO?

  • Run Skype and EQO agent on your PC.
  • Run EQO application on your phone.
  • Dial your friend’s number using EQO from your phone.
  • Wait for a couple of seconds…. and viola…. you get a phone call.
  • If you pick up the call, you should be connected to your friend (note that your friend has to pick up your call too).

What is the trick here? EQO basically uses conference call feature of Skype. It makes a conference call between you and your friend via SkypeOut. Got it? I will explain in more detail. When you initiate a phone call from your phone, EQO agent on your PC will initiate conference call via Skype. Skype will then call your number and your friend’s number. If both of you pick up the calls, you can start talking to your friend. As simple as that. It looks like you talk directly to your friend via phone line, but in fact you have Skype in the middle.

It’s a smart idea, isn’t it? Enjoy your cheap VoIP call…. :)

Update (26-Mar-06): Afer using EQO for more than 1 week, I feel that the product is still buggy. My Nokia 6680 sometimes reboots when running EQO. I also notice that the GPRS connection sometimes is still alive although I have exit EQO. Well, this is still a beta product anyway. Hope they will fix it in the final version.