Google Voice, Skype, Truphone and Rebtel – Who is really the cheapest? September 20th, 2010  

In times like these, when Google are integrating voice in Gmail and new international calling services are emerging from the ground like mushrooms, international callers around the world have never been better off. To briefly describe the current climate in voice, you can say that the competition is growing fierce and as a result, calling rates are being pushed further and further down. All companies in our space are forced to innovate, offer their users more convenience and added value. Maintaining a consistent and reliable call quality is simply an implied a must.

Here at Rebtel, we love all this new found competition. Trust me, it gets us fired up like nothing else. But most of all, we’re happy for you, the user. When the dust settles, you are undoubtedly the ones that ultimately will walk away as winners.

However, until that infamous dust does settle, we’ve prepared a nice little side-by-side comparison pitting our rates against the likes of Google Voice, Skype, Truphone to help you get a better picture of where we all are in terms of price. We know, there’s a lot more than just price that goes in to the process of evaluating which service to go with. But regardless how you twist and turn it, rates are a very important factor.

We randomly picked out 8 different calling destinations and compared our own prices with rates of the aforementioned competitors. However, this wasn’t as straightforward as you might think. If you use Truphone, you have to put up with a connection fee of 4.8c for every call placed. If you use Skype to call landlines and mobiles using Skype Credit and Skype Pro, you also have to put up with connection fees, which can be as high as 9.1c. However, Skype connection fees don’t apply to users that are subscribers.

Out of all 4, Rebtel and Google Voice are the only services completely liberated of any connection fees.

Google Voice, Skype, Truphone and Rebtel Price Comparison

*Google Voice offers free domestic calls but is currently only available for US users

Is the rate to the country you call not featured in the comparison? No worries, see a full list of our super cheap call rates.

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , , , , ,

Rates Drop To Liberia, Ivory Coast and Trinidad and Tobago September 17th, 2010  

We got some good news for everyone with friends, family or business acquaintances in Liberia, Ivory Coast or Trinidad and Tobago. You can now call your loved ones for even less with our newly reduced rates to all three of the before-mentioned destinations.

If you have friends in Liberia you can now call for 23.9 cents/minute USD to fixed lines and for as little as 17.9 cents/minute USD to mobiles.

If you have friends in Ivory Coast you can now call for a mere 17.9 cents/minute USD to fixed lines and for no more than 21.9 cents/minute USD to mobiles.

Last but most certainly not least, if your friends are in Trinidad & Tobago you can call fixed lines for 3.9 cents/minute USD and mobiles for 10.9 cents/minute USD to mobiles.

We work hard to maintain our high quality and super low rates to all calling destinations in the world and as a Rebtel user, you can help us (and yourselves) along the way. The more people that jump on the Rebtel bandwagon and decide they want to call more for less, the lower the rates go.

So in addition to helping us lower our rates and being an awesome friend for helping your loved ones find a better calling alternative than calling cards, you also earn free Rebtel calling credit. Just use our Tell Friends feature or simply send your Profile Page to your friend and ask them to sign up from there.

Happy calling and have a great weekend!

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , , , , ,

Rebtel Dropping Rates To Pakistan August 12th, 2010  

Our thoughts go out to all who have suffered in the recent catastrophe in Pakistan. In the light of current events, we are happy to be able to immediately lower our rates to Pakistan to 0.085 USD/min both to fixed lines and mobiles. That’s 22% off the current rate.

We continuously work to offer you the best quality calls at the lowest possible rates. On top of these lower rates to Pakistan, you can earn credit by sharing Rebtel. You get $10 USD for every new friend that pays for a call. Help us lower our rates even more by using our Tell Friends tool or simply send your Profile Page to your friend and ask them to sign up from there. You can easily edit your page from the Settings menu in your account.

Reports state that the floods have claimed over 1,100 lives thus far and have left an estimated 27,000 Pakistanis stranded. According to the British Red Cross, over 2 million people are affected by this natural disaster.

If you want to contribute with life saving aid to the people of Pakistan, go to the British Red Cross and make your donation to support the relief effort.

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , ,

Welcome back, Dominican Republic July 19th, 2010  

Starting from today, everyone living in one of our 50 Rebtel Countries are able to make super low-cost (or even free) calls back to their friends and family in the Dominican Republic. Regardless if you’re studying or working abroad, an extra motivational boost from hearing the voice of a friend or a family member back home is always a useful boost to get you through those extra hard days.

As the Dominican Republic now is a Rebtel Country, people in, for example New York, are able to make Free Calls to friends and family in Santa Domingo. They simply ask their friend or family member, while staying on the line, to hang up and call right back using the Santa Domingo phone number displayed on the screen of their phone. Naturally, this can be done the other way around too.

To see an instructional video of how to make a Free Call with Rebtel, check out the video below. Happy calling!

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , , , , ,

Government Tax Increase On Calls To Ghana June 4th, 2010  

Unfortunately, we have to increase our current calling rate to Ghana to USD 0.209 per minute, which still remains as one of the world’s lowest rates with the highest quality.

Due to unforeseen actions beyond our control taken by the Ghanaian Government, all telecom operators have been forced to increase their per minute rates to Ghana effective immediately.

In an official statement released by Ghanaian officials earlier today, it is stated that due to extensive use of fraudulent methods of call routing that have subsequently caused the Government a loss in potential tax revenue, officials have made the decision to force providers, such as Rebtel, to increase their prices to offset the deficiency.

We find these developments deeply regrettable, and want to express our sincere frustration shared with the thousands of Ghanaian expatriates living abroad using services like Rebtel to communicate with their loved ones back home.

To read the full story, please see this article published by Ghana Business News.

We assure you that we will lower our rate as soon as we can and keep you updated on any future developments on our Get Satisfaction page.

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , ,

Rebtel For iPhone 1.3 Is Here! June 2nd, 2010  

In the midst of all the diligent work on our Android app, some of you have probably wondered whether we have started to neglect our first born, the beloved Rebtel iPhone app. We can assure you that this is certainly not the case. Even if brother Android offers us an unmatched level of openness, the iPhone still got a lot going for it with its superior user experience, stunning looks and endless assortment of quality apps.

Our iPhone app has now reached version 1.3, and in this update we’re introducing two new primary features and improvements. The first one is native address book integration in the dial pad and the second one is called Collect SMS replies. Let’s have a look at how this new stuff actually works.

Dial Pad Address Book Integration

New and Improved Dial Pad

New and Improved Dial Pad

Even though it’s probably not as exciting as the Collect SMS reply feature, an improved dial pad is something many of you have been asking for. With the enhancements added in this version, we’re sure your past frustrations with it will be no more.

Prior to this update, it was quite a hassle to make a one-off Rebtel call with the app to a number in your address book without actually adding it as a contact. Now you can simply tap on the ‘+’ icon to access your address book and pick any number you wish without adding it as a contact.

Also prior to this update, if you were to find a number to a hotel online and wanted to give it a call using the Rebtel app, you would be made painfully aware that it didn’t support copy and paste to the dial pad. This has now been amended and you can finally copy and paste numbers into to the dial pad from websites, SMS messages, emails and more.

Collect SMS Replies

Compose an SMS to your friend

Compose an SMS to your friend

After launching the app and tapping on the SMS tab, tap on the ‘+’ icon in the right corner to select the recipient of your message. You can pick any international number you like, but please note that there are a few countries, USA to name one, which we aren’t able to deliver SMS to right now. This limitation is something we’re working hard on changing, so please bear with us.

Add a Collect reply link

Add a Collect reply link

Collect SMS replies is a feature you’ve been able to use on our site for some time and it has finally has made it to the iPhone. This nifty little feature allows you to include a short URL in your SMS message, which your friend can click and open in a mobile browser in order to send a reply back to you. Just as the word “Collect” entails, the reply is completely free of cost for your friend as you, being the good friend that you are, will pick up the tab for it.

Naturally, if you don’t want to treat your friend on a reply, you can simply select the ‘Send Without Link’ option.

Your friend replies while you pick up the tab

Your friend replies while you pick up the tab

This is the view your friend will see at the receiving end after reading your SMS message and clicking on the reply link. On this mobile web page, your friend is able to compose a reply message and send it directly to your phone. As you included a Collect reply link in your original message, the cost for the reply sent by your friend will be taken cared of by you.

If you’re already an existing user of Rebtel on the iPhone, simply go to the App Store to get the update and get started with trying out all the new features. If you don’t have the app on your iPhone, click here to download it. We look forward to reading all your (hopefully) nice feedback in our iPhone thread over at Get Satisfaction!

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , , , ,

Free International Calling Made Easy With Rebtel For Android May 26th, 2010  

A few months ago, all of us here at the Rebtel office were in serious scramble mode to finish an early, yet demoable version of our first app for the Android platform. The reason, in addition to huge user demand, was the news we had received of us being accepted as one of the presenting companies at this years DEMO Spring 2010 conference. We were very excited, and with the great honor that comes with being accepted to a reputable event like DEMO, we really wanted to make an impact.

Rebtel for Android Home Screen

By comparison to the “walled garden” of the iPhone platform, Android OS offers an unprecedented level of openness that caters to deep integration of third-party applications with the native device functionality. An example of an app that harnesses that openness, could for instance, be one that handle all your international calls. Imagine if it could intercept all your international calls that you make from your regular address book or dial pad on your Android phone, and connect them via a cheaper service, such as Rebtel, instead of your pricey carrier…

Sounds like an app that would come in handy, doesn’t it? Well, as it happens, this is exactly what we decided to do.

As the 1.0 version of the app went live on Market just a few days ago, Rebtel for Android has now been stripped of its previous beta label, and in this post I will tell you a bit more about two key features. If you’re an Android user and have been longing for a nifty app that could save you money on your international calls , this post should make you ecstatic.

Interception of Your Internationals Calls

After you downloaded the app from, the only thing you have to do to start using is flicking the green On/Off switch. Once that’s done, Rebtel for Android will run in the background and stand-by waiting for you to either dial an international number from the regular dial pad on your phone, or pick a friend with an international number from your address book.

Once a number is dialed, a local number is instantly generated in the background and your call is connected via Rebtel instead of your regular carrier, with savings of up to 90% as a result.

Seamless Rebtel Free Calls

If you’ve read this post up until this point (thank you), but are yet to become ecstatic, the next feature is a sure bet. Namely: Fully automated Rebtel Free Calls to Android devices running our app.

This is how it works: When you select a friend to call that also happens to be a Rebtel and has our app running, the call will automatically become a Rebtel Free Call. That means that you pay nothing for the international part of the call to Rebtel, and if you have inclusive local minutes in your monthly plan, you pay nothing to your regular carrier for the local part of the call either. Pretty great.

An incoming Rebtel Free Call

Now, why is this such a big deal you might ask (except for the fact that you can make free international calls without WiFi)?

See, usually, the process of making a Free Call with Rebtel is made up of you having to wait for your friend to pick, asking him to hang up and then call you back on the number displayed on his phone while you stay on the line. What the Android app does is that it eliminates all these fiddly steps of making a Free Call and fully automates it.

Sounds like something you want to try? Download the app from Android Market (click on the link from your phone) and be sure to tell us what you think in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , ,

Rates Cut To Chile During March March 3rd, 2010  

When the devastating disaster in Haiti took place in mid-January, all of us here at Rebtel were in agreement that we should issue 4,000 voucher codes each valid for 10 minutes of free calling to Haiti to help the families and friends across the globe get in touch with their loved ones in Haiti free cost.

After the recent earthquake that occurred just off the coast of Chile on February 25th, we felt compelled to provide the same support and sympathy for the families and friends affected by this tragic event.

Consequently, we are now lowering the rates effective immediately for all calls to land lines and mobiles in Chile.

There are no strings attached to this new rate and it’s available for existing as well as new Rebtel users.

The old rate to mobiles was 19.9 cents, and the new one is 13.5 cents.

The old rate to landlines was 2.8 cents and the new one is 2.2 cents.

Lastly, to stay updated on the most recent developments in Chile, we recommend using Twitter Search.

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , , ,

Free Conference Calls For Haitian Families January 15th, 2010  

Yesterday we announced that we made the decision to donate 4000 voucher codes, each for 10 minutes of free calling to Haiti, in an effort to aid relatives and help organizations with getting in touch with people in the country for free.

Today we have opened up free rooms for conference calls where family, friends and various organization involved in help and relief efforts currently in the three countries specified below can talk to each other for free.

This is not an official Rebtel feature and should not be treated as such. The functionality is present in our system and has solely been activated in light of the recent developments in Haiti, as we have recognised that there might be a possible need for such a service.

A tool like free conference calls can be of great value to help organizations and individuals affected by the developments in Haiti by giving them the option of talking to each other for the purpose of organizing possible relief efforts or even help each other with locating family members.

Please be aware that these conference call rooms are open forums, meaning that everyone present will be able to hear what you say. We urge each and everyone of you that want to make use of this free service to be courteous and show respect for the people effected by the tragic events in Haiti, as well as for the actual cause for which we have set this service up.

Currently there are 10 rooms online with a capacity of 20 simultaneous conference participants in each. Dependending on the interest for this service throughout the course of the weekend, more conference rooms and more local numbers in additional cities will be added.

Access Numbers For Free Conference Calling

USA – San Diego +1 858 225 4176

UK – London +44 20 70788 899

Sweden +46 10 100 4001

Lastly, please note that depending on your mobile phone (or land line) plan from your regular provider, the cost for a local call might be applicable.

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , , ,

Lower Rates Due To 1-minute Rounding November 16th, 2009  

As of 12th of November, Rebtel will start using 1-minute rounding instead of 6-second rounding after the first minute.

First let’s clarify what per minute rounding really is and how it affects you as a user. Minute rounding is the portion of the per minute rate charged for calls with a duration of less then a full minute of call time. Many calling card companies use 3-minute or even 5 minute billing to fraud their users, however the standard rounding in the telecom business is 1-minute billing. With a 1-minute rounding, a full minute is charged for any portion of a minute that is used. In other words, the call time is rounded up to the next full minute. For example, a call with duration of 2 minutes and 10 seconds would be billed for 3 minutes.

The reason why we are moving to 1-minute rounding is because we can then lower our rates even more and become comparable with the standard in the telecom business. We constantly strive to consistently push our rates to new lows for all calling destinations worldwide and this will allow us to do just that.  As a direct testament, we’re kicking things off by lowering the rates to more than 60 calling destination. To see it for yourself, head over to our rates page for more information.

By: alexander drewniak Tags: , , ,

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