Comunicano

InterContinental San Francisco Hotel First To Utilize Mobile Endomondo Exercise Route Locator Technology in Connecting With Traveling Fitness Fans

New Sponsored Routes Service from Endomondo Allows Travel/Tourism Industry to Create Location-Specific, Interactive Exercise Maps for Jogging/Biking/Hiking Guests 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 8, 2013 – Finding an interesting route to walk, bike or jog is sometimes a challenge for travelers wishing to maintain a fitness regimen while visiting unfamiliar destinations.  The InterContinental San Francisco Hotel addressed this issue for its guests by becoming the first to work with fitness tracking app/social network Endomondo to craft interactive exercise routes that begin and end at the hotel and guide sightseers through some of San Francisco’s well-known attractions.

Guests looking for exercise routes simply download the free Endomondo Sports Tracker mobile app, available on most smartphones, and open the Routes section.  The Routes menu reveals a list of nearby paths.  Users in San Francisco will instantly see the Embarcadero Run and Sightseeing Route courses developed for hotel visitors.  People can follow one of these routes using their mobile device.

Beyond a simple map of where to exercise, Endomondo’s Sponsored Routes can be “pinned” with photos, video, audio or background details providing additional information on points of interest along paths.  Whether they are historical sites, or partnering restaurants/visitor destinations, the content is then presented to users as they travel the route via the Endomondo Sports Tracker mobile app.  This interactive feature creates a virtual self-guided tour that makes exercising interesting and more fun.

Peter Koehler, Regional Director of Operations in Northern California and General Manager for InterContinental San Francisco, said adopting new mobile technology to better serve visitors is another example of the hotel’s intense focus on catering to the every need of guests.  Because the 32-story, 550-room hotel is located at the very center of tech development, the InterContinental San Francisco can explore cutting edge travel/tourism tech.

“Being at the center of San Francisco, the InterContinental San Francisco is a home away from home for many in the technology industry,” Koehler said.  “As such, working with a well-respected entity such as Endomondo to develop a mobile exercise service for tech-savvy guests was an endeavor that benefitted all involved.”

Endomondo Co-Founder Mette Lykke said Sponsored Routes similar to those developed for the InterContinental San Francisco can be created anywhere in the world for hotels, tourism bureaus, travel agencies, tourist destinations or any organization looking to interact with visitors in a unique fashion using modern mobile technology.

“With the wide adoption of mobile communications, people are using smartphones more and more to interact in meaningful ways with their surroundings,” Lykke said.  “Endomondo’s Sponsored Routes service offers a platform whereby organizations involved in travel and tourism can connect with visitors in a new, unique and interesting manner with very little effort or cost.”

Endomondo currently charges $1,500 annually for Sponsored Routes and works directly with interested organizations to map out the course and add multimedia content.  Additionally, Endomondo maintains the route in-house on its servers, further decreasing resource commitments of those wishing to sponsor routes.  Travel/Tourism entities wanting to learn more can send an email to adsales@endomondo.com.

About Endomondo:

With nearly 15 million users joining since launch in 2008, Endomondo remains a highly rated, free mobile app that turns GPS-enabled smartphones into a personal trainer and social motivator capable of tracking workouts, analyzing performance, and can aid in the discovery of new activities and insights into fitness so people become and stay active. Endomondo stands apart from other activity tracking apps in its strong focus on social interaction; and helps users connect with like-minded people and encourages the sharing of experiences and support in achieving collective goals. Users can send friends real-time pep talks while they exercise, compete against friends for fun, challenge co-workers, and share it all on Facebook, Twitter or across the Endomondo social network.

About InterContinental San Francisco:

The InterContinental San Francisco opened in February 2008 at Howard and 5^th streets next to Moscone West Convention Center. The hotel towers 32 stories above the heart of the City and features 550 rooms, 14 suites, 43,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space with natural light, the Michelin-starred Luce restaurant, Bar 888, a ten-room treatment spa, full-service fitness center, and an indoor pool. In 2011, the InterContinental San Francisco received its LEED EBOM Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. For more information and to make reservations, contact the InterContinental San Francisco, 888 Howard Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94103, at 415.616.6500 or 888.811.4273, or by visiting www.intercontinentalsanfrancisco.com.

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Truphone Demonstrates Truphone+ Converged Wi-Fi and GSM Service at Mobile World Congress 2013

Truphone+ Keeps You Connected Even When You Have No Cellular Coverage

BARCELONA, February 25th 2013: Truphone today gave the first public demonstration of Truphone+, its upcoming phone service that combines GSM services with its internet calling capabilities (VoIP). Truphone+ allows users to make either standard calls over traditional mobile networks or calls over Wi-Fi, with a new intelligent calling system automatically choosing the best option. Truphone+ can deliver coverage and even HD audio to customers who otherwise have no signal, letting them stay connected wherever they are.

“I, like many people, don’t have reliable mobile coverage at my home in the countryside – or even in my London office,” said Truphone founder and CTO James Tagg. “The Truphone+ service will let me use my phone normally, whether I’m on the cellular phone network or not.”

Truphone+ will be an automatic upgrade for all new Truphone SIM customers who download the free Truphone App, which is available on iOS, Android and BlackBerry 10 devices. The Truphone App will include additional features that complement Truphone+, such as call encryption and a call cost indicator that tells you the cost per minute, before you dial.

Truphone+ is also fully compatible with existing Truphone services, such as the ability to have multiple international numbers on a single SIM.

Truphone+ is planned for release in Q2 2013.

Key features of Truphone+ include:

• Combined mobile phone network and Wi-Fi service – Truphone+ lets you make and receive calls over Wi-Fi when standard networks aren’t available, with exactly the same experience
• Eliminate bill shock: A call cost indicator displays the precise per-minute cost so the user can decide when and where they want to make a call
• Ease of use – Truphone+ is designed for speed and simplicity - all you have to do is press ‘call’, the rest is seamless
• One voicemail – It does not matter whether you miss a call on Wi-Fi or the cellular network, all your voicemail is in one place
• Parallel ringing – Truphone+ makes it easier to manage multiple devices by letting you choose which devices ring when you are called

ABOUT TRUPHONE    

Truphone, the pioneering international mobile communications company, helps people and businesses around the world stay connected. The company’s unique SIM-based offering works in more than 200 countries and significantly reduces the cost and complexity of international mobile roaming.

Truphone is also a leader in internet calling (VoIP), having launched the first ever voice over internet application for a mobile phone. The Truphone App has been downloaded by millions of people across the world and gives users secure Wi-Fi calling at a high quality and reduced cost.

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‘The World on Sale’: Truphone’s Holiday Gift to Businesses

Company’s promotional offer is 25-percent discount off already compelling mobile rates – in more than 200 countries

DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 10, 2012 – In the spirit of the holiday season, Truphone, the mobile operator for the international traveler, today announced “The World on Sale” offer that gives international business travelers discounts of an additional 25 percent off its already compelling standard mobile rates around the world.

Offering business-class voice, data and SMS service in more than 200 countries, Truphone helps businesses avoid bill shock and reduce costs of international mobile roaming. The company supports leading smartphones and uses innovations such as an intelligent network, a unique multi-identity SIM card and its own “least cost roaming” approach to offer significant savings to business people making calls, sending texts and accessing data networks when home or abroad.  By comparison, traditional GSM wireless carriers only use a single-identity SIM with their networks.

“Truphone delivers typical cost savings for businesses of 30 to 60 percent compared to other providers. The added 25 percent discount is a special promotion that’s good for the full term of a contract,” said Gary S. Cohen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Truphone Americas.

“Truphone is so confident you will be happy with our service that we will allow you to cancel at any time within the first 90 days, with no penalty or further obligation,” he said.

Truphone’s service works with all major mobile devices.  Its offer is especially rich for Blackberry users who travel internationally.  The plan includes a generous allocation of voice, text and data, and features unlimited Blackberry Email across the entire Truphone network of more than 200 countries.  

“We believe the discounted pricing of our ‘Blackberry Pack’ promotional offer is extraordinary compared to what’s available to business users elsewhere,” said Cohen. “We know that subscribers who sign up with Truphone will quickly realize the benefits of staying connected internationally for a very reasonable cost.”

To learn more specific details of Truphone’s “World on Sale” offer or to sign up, customers should visit http://www.truphone.com or call 1-888-996-6245.   The promotional offer is available to U.S. business customers and expires December 31, 2012.

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About Truphone
Truphone is a global mobile operator, helping people and businesses around the world stay connected, wherever they may be.

International Mobile Roaming Charges Hurt Midmarket, Enterprise and Fortune 1000 Firms, CCMI Report Finds

Regardless of size, the costs and pain of mobile roaming burden businesses whose employees travel abroad

DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 4, 2012 -- The exorbitant costs and pain of today's international mobile roaming prices are just as real for mid-sized and enterprise companies as they are for Fortune 1000 companies, according to a new "mid-market" research study by CCMI, the leading provider of telecom rate and data solutions and information.

In a report commissioned by Truphone, the mobile operator for the international traveler, a CCMI survey of 201 companies in September 2012 classified "mid-market" companies as those with 100 to 1,000 employees and "enterprise" organizations as those with 1,001 to 10,000 employees.

CCMI found that as their populations of international travelers grow, business organizations of all sizes say they feel compelled to choose between two evils:

• Suffer with standard international roaming options and pay extraordinary charges to allow subscribers to continue using their mobile devices just as they would in their home markets.
• Change employee behavior so that their usage consumes fewer wireless minutes, messages and gigabytes.

Results of the latest research mirror CCMI's findings in a report earlier this year that focused on a survey of larger, Fortune 1000 companies. In both studies, CCMI reported that attempts at changing user behavior and even restricting employees' use of their mobile devices during international travel can have unwelcome consequences, including loss of business, productivity and data security, and difficulties in communicating with customers, suppliers, colleagues, partners and the employees themselves. 

Among other results, the latest CCMI survey found that:

• As with the Fortune 1000, 34 percent of midmarket and enterprise companies spend more than $1,000 per month per user on international wireless costs, while 15 percent spend more than $2,500 per user per month.
• 52 percent of companies surveyed have a specific company mandate in place to reduce their international roaming costs.

The latest CCMI report stresses that changing behavior can be onerous for users not adept at swapping out SIM cards and changing network settings. This is the case for many executives, who are the most likely to be traveling globally and conducting the highest-value business. Curbing their communications and productivity generally costs the company dearly.

"Given that most international travelers are on important business, as evidenced by their companies justifying the considerable expense associated with sending them abroad, neither option will suffice in the long term," the CCMI report said, advising that "organizations seeing their international wireless costs escalate should seek innovation in this market."

As examples of innovation, the CCMI report cites international network service resale plans combined with emerging wireless expense management (WEM) software and cloud services that can hold down costs of international mobile roaming.

The CCMI report concludes:  "Newer, emerging global carrier options, such as services enabled by SIMs with multiple international mobile numbers and mobile subscriber identities, are making it possible for companies to strike that all-important balance between connectivity and cost. Such multi-identity SIMs, in combination with network intelligence and negotiated rates, let employees use their existing wireless devices abroad just as they would in their home country so that usability and productivity remain consistent. This approach usually cuts international roaming bills by an estimated 30 percent to 90 percent, eliminating the high anxiety about bill shock."

Truphone helps businesses and consumers reduce costs of international mobile roaming by the percentages cited in the CCMI report, and offers voice, data and SMS service in more than 200 countries.  The company supports leading smartphones, uses an intelligent network, a unique multi-identity SIM card and its own "least cost roaming" approach to offer significant savings to business people making calls, sending texts and accessing data networks when abroad.  By comparison, traditional GSM carriers only offer a single identity/number per SIM.

"For business executives traveling internationally, Truphone offers a compelling solution," said Gary S. Cohen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Truphone Americas.  "Our mobile innovations and 'least cost roaming' approach enable international travelers to stay connected and productive while abroad without the fear of bill shock."

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About Truphone
Truphone is a global mobile operator, helping people and businesses around the world stay connected, wherever they may be.

SOURCE Truphone

Truphone Establishes Technology Center in New Jersey to Support Company’s Expansion in U.S.

Broader nationwide presence enables delivery of innovative mobile services for business customers

NEWARK, N.J., Aug. 30, 2012 – Truphone, the pioneering international mobile communications company, today announced the establishment of a Technology Center.  The New Jersey center complements Truphone’s United States headquarters in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park.

The technology center is led by Ed Guy, Ph.D., Vice President of Engineering, and Chris Celiberti, Vice President of Business Engineering. They and their staff of computer and communications engineers are responsible for developing innovative mobile services for the global business market. Both report to Truphone founder and Chief Technology Officer James Tagg. 

Located in the Enterprise Development Center at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, the Truphone technology center initially consists of a staff of 12, many of whom are NJIT graduates.  

Guy, who has worked with Truphone since the company’s earliest days, designed and led the implementation of its network as it evolved from a mobile VoIP provider into a full-fledged global mobile operator capable of connecting voice, data and text messaging to more than 200 countries.

Guy developed the original architecture for many of today’s VoIP systems and is author of patents and essential documents that specify how the Internet works. “Our mission is to develop Truphone’s patent portfolio and turn these into new and innovative services that people need, can’t live without, and can’t obtain elsewhere,” he said.

Tagg said:  “We are seeing incredible demand for Truphone’s solutions from U.S.-based multi-nationals, and we are expanding our U.S. operations and engineering staff to meet that demand and add to our innovation portfolio. International business travelers want to stay connected on the road. Truphone allows them to do just that, with the same mobile phone experience they enjoy at home but without fear of bill shock when they roam internationally.”

Mobile users who switch to Truphone no longer need to carry multiple phones, change SIM cards or stop using their phones when traveling. Truphone offers a complete solution for use at home and abroad.

Founded by Tagg, Truphone began on a farm in Kent, U.K., in 2006 with a handful of people and a big idea to break down the barriers to effective global mobile communications.  Now, with global headquarters in London, and additional operations in Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Portugal and the U.S., the company has grown to employ approximately 350 people worldwide.

Truphone initially gained attention in 2006 with the introduction of the world’s first mobile VoIP application. In 2007, it made history by demonstrating the first VoIP application on the Apple iPhone before launching a string of industry firsts starting in 2008 with applications for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and the Google Android line of smartphones.  Truphone has since expanded its offerings to include GSM-based voice, text and data mobile services, which will soon be available in the United States.

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About Truphone
Truphone is a global mobile operator, helping people and businesses around the world stay connected, wherever they may be.

About NJIT’s EDC
Since 1988, the Enterprise Development Center (EDC) operated by New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has been instrumental in the development and the commercialization of High Tech and Life Science companies.  Residence at the EDC is open to venture and expansion companies that have, or will have, proprietary technology as a significant source of revenue.

Truphone Selects North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park for Its U.S. Headquarters

DURHAM, N.C., Aug. 14, 2012 – Truphone, a pioneer in reducing roaming costs for international business travelers worldwide, is expanding into the United States and has selected Raleigh-Durham’s Research Triangle Park (RTP) for its U.S. headquarters.

Gary S. Cohen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Truphone Americas, said the global mobile operator chose to base its U.S. headquarters in RTP because the area is a technology and innovation center, affords businesses efficient cost of operations and provides the quality of life that attracts great people.

“RTP is well known for its technological advancements and entrepreneurial culture and both reasons support why Truphone is here,” said Cohen. “We look forward to joining the more than 170 global companies based in RTP and becoming a respected neighbor in our own right.”

Truphone makes it easier for international business travelers to stay connected by slashing the cost of roaming. Being with Truphone means there’s no longer the need to carry multiple phones and tablets, change SIM cards or curtail usage anymore. Truphone offers one solution – for home and abroad.

Cohen, who spent over a decade in Silicon Valley before relocating to RTP, has more than 25 years of experience leading growth efforts for technology and telecommunications firms. His background includes a healthy mix of large enterprise and start-up ventures, including senior executive positions at IBM, Nextel, Lenovo, Scient, Kontiki and Motricity.  

The U.S. executive team is comprised of industry veterans from IBM, AT&T, Sprint, Nextel, British Telecom, Motorola, Ericsson and other leading technology companies. Among them is Susan Nelson,Vice President, Business Development, an RTP local who was previously recognized as one of the Triangle Business Journal’s top 25 Women in Business.  

The selection of the Research Triangle Park headquarters and build-out of the U.S. team marks the company’s formal expansion and presence in this country.

Founded by inventor and Chief Technology Officer James Tagg, Truphone initially opened its doors on a farm in Kent, U.K., in 2006 with a handful of people and a big idea to lower the cost of mobile roaming. Now, with global headquarters in London, and additional operations in Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Portugal and the U.S., the company has grown to employ more than 300 people worldwide.

Truphone initially gained attention in 2006 with the introduction the world’s first mobile VoIP application. In 2007, it made history by demonstrating the first VoIP application on the Apple iPhone before launching a string of industry firsts starting in 2008 with applications for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and the Google Android line of smartphones.  Truphone has since expanded its offerings to include GSM-based voice, text and data mobile services, which will soon be available in the United States.

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About Truphone
Truphone is a global mobile operator, helping people and businesses around the world stay connected, wherever they may be.

Endomondo Adds Interval Training to Popular iPhone App

As Endomondo ­Users' Most Requested Feature, Interval Training

Upgrades Sports Tracker’s Ability to Support the Most Demanding Workouts 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 23, 2012 – When Endomondo asked users of its Endomondo Sports Tracker iPhone app for the feature they’d most like to have in the next version, interval training was at the top of the list. Today, Endomondo delivers on that request.

Available exclusively in the paid Pro version of Endomondo Sports Tracker, the interval
training feature lets iPhone users create custom workouts by defining intervals and includes an audio coach to guide them through each step. Available free to Endomondo users who already have the Pro version, the interval training feature is the latest example of how Endomondo Sports Tracker turns the iPhone into a full-fledged personal trainer and social fitness partner.

Endomondo Sports Tracker is also available for Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and several other operating systems. That cross-platform design makes it easy for users to turn workouts into a social activity, providing the additional motivation, interactivity and fun that are key for maintaining an active lifestyle.

“Interval training is an effective way to improve performance," said Mette Lykke, Endomondo co-founder. "This addition shows how Endomondo Sport Tracker continues to be the must-have app for making exercise more social, motivating and fun."

Last month, Endomondo added interval training to its Android app, as well as a multi-platform sync feature that automatically updates workout statistics across multiple platforms for easier tracking and social sharing.

About Endomondo

Founded in 2007 by a team of fitness enthusiasts, Endomondo turns mobile devices into full-fledged personal trainers and connects users to a vibrant social fitness network where people can support, motivate and challenge each other and share results.  The Endomondo Sports Tracker mobile app, which utilizes GPS technology, records a full history of workouts and can be used for any distance-based sport.  Additionally, the Endomondo.com website provides users with a personal portal -- incorporating performance tracking tools, an extensive atlas of exercise routes around the world, connection to the Endomondo community, and more.   Available on seven mobile platforms, Endomondo operates on almost all GPS phones. For more information, please visit http://www.endomondo.com and follow @Endomondo on Twitter.

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Endomondo Social Fitness App Named a Winner of Microsoft Health Users Group 2012 Innovation Award

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — February 23, 2012 — Endomondo today announced it has been recognized as a winner of the Microsoft Health Users Group (HUG) 2012 Innovation Awards.  This year’s winners were honored February 22 in Las Vegas at the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference & Exhibition.

As one of the most popular fitness downloads, Endomondo can be used for distance-based activities and utilizes both GPS and Bing maps to track routes, distance, duration, split times, calorie consumption and more while providing audio feedback on performance. Windows Phone 7 allows end-users to take full advantage of all Endomondo has to offer.

“Our vision is to make fitness fun,” said Christian Birk, co-founder of Endomondo.  “To succeed in this goal, Endomondo’s service takes full advantage of Microsoft's platform. We've worked hard on this app so recreational athletes across the world will like it."

Endomondo turns mobile devices into personal trainers for millions of people.  But what makes Endomondo stand out from other fitness tracking apps is the social feature. By incorporating aspects found in leading social networks, Endomondo helps users find the motivation to both become active and stay active.  Users can send real-time pep talks to friends while they are exercising, compete against friends, challenge co-workers and share it all on Facebook or Twitter.

This online social fitness network centers on sports that unify active individuals and promotes exercise for both recreational and serious athletes. The network currently tracks up to 200,000 workouts per day.  A recent study conducted for Endomondo in Europe showed a 28 percent increase in exercise activities for those engaged in the community.

“The 2012 Microsoft HUG Innovation Awards recognizes organizations that are using technology to improve general fitness and patient care, reduce costs, streamline clinical and business processes and enable informed decisions,” said Steve Aylward, general manager of U.S. Commercial Health and Life Sciences, Microsoft. “Each of this year’s winners clearly demonstrated the innovative use of IT to improve fitness, traditional business or clinical processes and, as a result, positively impacts the health and well-being of persons within their organization.”

Now in its 15th year, the awards program honors health organizations and independent software vendors and systems integrators who create the most impactful and innovative health solutions with Microsoft-based products.

To join Microsoft HUG, visit http://mshug.org/.

 

About Endomondo:

Launched in September 2008, Endomondo Sports Tracker turns the mobile phone into a full-fledged personal trainer and a social training partner. The app can be used for running, cycling, walking and all other distance-based outdoor sports. Using GPS, the app tracks route, distance, duration, split times, calorie consumption and more while providing audio feedback on performance. The app offers a full history of workouts, as well as social features that allow users to compete with friends without giving up flexibility. The app also supports heart rate monitors on most handsets.  Endomondo.com incorporates the social community where users can challenge friends and share results. Endomondo Sports Tracker has 7 million users with exponential growth. Being available on seven mobile platforms (iOS, Android, RIM, Symbian, Windows Phone, Windows Mobile, Java), the app supports almost all GPS phones. It is the highest rated app of its kind in several of the biggest app stores. 

For more information, please visit http://www.endomondo.com and follow @Endomondo on Twitter. 

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Vopium Launches First Real BlackBerry Wi-Fi Calling App

International and Domestic Wi-Fi Calling to All Vopium Users is Free, Including to Those with Android, iPhone, Symbian and Windows Mobile Phones

 

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 19, 2011 – Although calling apps for the BlackBerry are widely available, they suffer from limitations and carrier-imposed requirements that undermine the benefits. Vopium, which has established an industry first with its BlackBerry Wi-Fi calling app, eliminates those drawbacks and provides consumers and business users with free international and domestic Wi-Fi calls, as well as international calls over GSM and CDMA for as little as less than 1 cent per minute.

Vopium is the first VoIP service provider to offer a Wi-Fi calling app through BlackBerry App World. The Vopium app does not require users to connect with a local call – a major limitation of many other Wi-Fi calling apps. Unlike UMA-based Wi-Fi calling services provided by a few mobile operators, the Vopium app offers least-cost routing to both mobile and landline numbers whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi.

This design provides users significant savings with no trade-offs in call quality. For example, U.S. BlackBerry owners can make Wi-Fi calls with Vopium to mobile or landline numbers globally without their carrier’s international charges because the calls are routed through Vopium’s network. The Vopium users don’t consume their cellular voice minutes, aren’t limited to only calling other Vopium users and avoid the many hassles of using a calling card.

When connected to Wi-Fi, there are no international-roaming charges, so when traveling internationally, Vopium users can make local and international calls to mobile or landline numbers for as little as less than 1 cent per minute. When the other party also has a Vopium app on their Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Symbian or Windows Mobile smartphone, Wi-Fi calls and text messages are free.

The Vopium app makes it easy for users to know if they are connected to and placing calls via Wi-Fi. Vopium designed the app to minimize battery consumption, so users can make frequent Wi-Fi calls and still have battery life that lasts at least a full day. This makes Wi-Fi calling a viable replacement for office desk phones and home phones.

“The new Vopium BlackBerry app is the latest example of our commitment to provide consumers and business users with high-quality, low-cost international and domestic calling,” said Vopium founder and CEO Tanveer Sharif. “Unlike other Wi-Fi calling apps that rely on bridging and other limited architectures, the Vopium BlackBerry app frees users to make calls in more places and on their terms. No other BlackBerry Wi-Fi calling app can match Vopium’s combination of savings, convenience, battery life, wireline interoperability and mobile operator independence. This app democratizes Wi-Fi calling for BlackBerry users, with no caveats and gotchas.”

Available now in beta version, the Vopium app supports BlackBerry smartphones running OS 6 or later versions. The app is available directly from Vopium at http://vopium.com/blackberry-beta and from BlackBerry App World at https://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/68003.

About Vopium

Vopium A/S, the award-winning mobile VoIP provider, delivers mobile phone calls without borders. With the Vopium app, customers can make international mobile phone calls that feel, sound and are priced like local calls. Taking advantage of VoIP and GSM technologies, the Vopium app works across all major mobile operating systems and on more than 900 handset models, from smartphones to feature phones.

With more than 1 million users in 52 countries, Vopium powers reliable, cost-effective mobile communications around the world. Vopium is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris Exchange. For more information, please visit vopium.com.

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Travel Planners International Selects Fonolo to Improve the Calling Experience for its Travel Agents

• Travel agents now receive operator assistance with one click, eliminating phone menus
• Fonolo's virtual queuing service eliminates waiting on hold
• Cloud-based approach means easy deployment

TORONTO - - Oct. 5, 2011 -- Fonolo, the company that improves the call center experience by extending it to the web and smartphone, is pleased to announce that Travel Planners International, a leading travel-management company dedicated to providing travel services to both leisure and corporate clients, has selected Fonolo to provide a more pleasant and cost effective calling experience.

Travel Planners International (TPI) is a full-service host travel agency, supporting independent contractors and travel agencies since 1988. Through its growing national sales force of professional travel agents/agencies, TPI sells all types of travel, including air, car, hotel, cruise and tour products. Several months ago, TPI embarked on a major redesign of its agent-facing web platform, TPICENTRAL, and became convinced that adding Fonolo would help agents immediately become more productive.

"We are constantly looking for ways to help our agents do their work more effectively," said TPI General Manager Erwing Hernandez. "Losing incoming calls from agents not willing to wait on hold is unacceptable and we recognized that there was an opportunity to improve the process of connecting callers to the call center."

TPICENTRAL now features Fonolo's visual dialing interface. Agents who need to contact the call center can now request a call with one click, avoiding phone menus and hold time. Because Fonolo's cloud-based service can integrate seamlessly and automatically with any call center, TPI did not have to change any of its infrastructure or business processes.

"The most impressive feature of Fonolo was the setup. It was seamless and very easy," said Hernandez. "Fonolo is a key to the success of our new platform. We are now providing a better phone experience for our agents."

"We were thrilled that TPI selected Fonolo as part of its new agent platform," said Fonolo CEO Shai Berger. "This is another great example of how Fonolo’s visual dialing interface and virtual queuing system can improve the calling experience and make call center agents more efficient."

TPI began offering its agents Fonolo services in August.

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About Fonolo

Fonolo's cloud-based call center solutions provide companies with visual dialing and virtual queuing services, improving customer satisfaction and lowering call center costs. Callers simply click on the phone menu option they want from the company’s website or mobile application, and Fonolo connects them to the right agent - every time.

A growing list of organizations, including the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Sirius Satellite Radio Canada and VoIP Supply have discovered the value of using Fonolo to connect their call centers with their web sites. The privately-held Toronto-based company has received numerous awards, including “Best Contact Center Solution” from ITEXPO Conference, “50 Best Websites” from Time.com, “Best New Product” from Emerging Communications Conference, “Judges’ Choice” from GigaOm’s Mobilize Conference and “Top Telecom Idea” from Springwise.

Learn more at fonolo.com.

About Travel Planners International

Travel Planners International is a full service host travel agency, supporting independent contractors and travel agencies since 1988. TPI sells all types of travel including air, car, hotel, cruise and tour products through its growing national sales force of professional travel agents/agencies. 

Learn more at www.tpionline.com