28TEL is launching its International "Free Call" service in the United States. This new service allows registered users to place free international calls via their mobile phones to over 20 other countries without extra software installed neither any internet access. 28TEL is also able to provide global subscribers to make free international calls with multi-lingual voice prompts and user interfaces, specifically including Chinese and Japanese.
28TEL is launching this new service availability in the US just in time for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the largest global sports event.
How does it work? First time users simply dial 1-213-3666099 (English), 1-213-3666000 (Chinese), or 1-213-3666090 (Japanese) and enter the number of the person you wish to call -- your call will be connected shortly. After connected, 28TEL will send you a text message with the local number representing that person, so in the future you can simply call him directly by dialing this number.
Alternatively, you can log onto
http://www.28tel.com, simply type in your friend's number, and 28TEL will give you the local phone number for that person so you can dial the number and talk to you friend overseas.
How to make a "Free call"? Through this exclusive "Free call" service, a caller may dial a pre-mapped local 28TEL number to reach an overseas friend. When connected, by telling the friend to hang up and call back with the displayed number. The caller holds the line and waits for friend's callback within a limited time. This service allows people to enjoy international calls free of charge without a time limit.
Currently, "Free call" service has already been available in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Brazil, now the US, and will be soon extended to major countries in Europe and South America. Moreover, In China and Taiwan, the access numbers have been unified into nationwide 10175612999 and 08090022812.
28TEL provides competitive international mobile calling services and rates. Compared with the standard mobile international calling rate, 28TEL is at least 70% cheaper. The mobile "roaming free" service is also strongly recommended. Through the mobile phone's call forwarding setup, during roaming, the subscriber can be exempt from international roaming fees and receive all calls directly with local mobile phones. It is quite cost-effective for people who frequently travel on international business and pleasure. For now, this "roaming free" service has been offered to subscribers in Asia and America. European subscribers will also enjoy this exemption in the near future.
28TEL also boasts a friendly multiple-user interface. The phone numbers of overseas contacts can be quickly mapped through three different methods: text message, Interactive Voice Response system and website. So you can conduct contact management any time. The system will assign corresponding local numbers for users to make direct calls. The mapped local number can be saved into the mobile phone contact list to facilitate the one-touch service. As a result, 28TEL thrives commercially and received good market responses immediately after the service was launched in Asia.
Today, it is common to make Internet phone calls via a computer or IP- phone with the extremely low fees. However, the Internet telephone has obvious disadvantages: the mobility of the user is limited, and the necessity of Internet access makes it impossible to dial anytime from anywhere in any desired way. Therefore, since the birth of VoIP technology, industry experts consider the application of this technology to mobile phones as an extreme goal. Compared with traditional VoIP services, 28TEL service can be easily enrolled and operated. Unlike traditional Internet call services, 28TEL requires no installation of any hardware; unlike other cell phone VoIP services, 28TEL needs no downloading or installation of any handset client software; 28TEL can work on any mobile phone and no high-end handset is necessary. As long as you can dial through a local number, the connection to an overseas phone can be immediately enabled.
It is expected that cost-effective services and massive target markets will turn 28TEL into a major industry player. 28TEL is also now offering various promotions including a complimentary 100-minute talking time.