14 DAY TRIAL // After bringing its VoIP application to the Android platform in March 2010, Rebtel has recently announced the launch of its new BlackBerry application, which enables users to make and receive free international calls between more than 50 countries.
Using the VoIP application users can make and receive free international calls as long as the app runs in the background.
As soon as the user dials an international number, or selects a contact with an international phone number, the call is automatically intercepted and routed via Rebtel instead of to the carrier’s network.
“We are committed to bringing innovation into the oligopolistic marketplace to make international calls either free or super-cheap for our customers,” said Andreas Bernstrom, CEO of Rebtel.
“Our BlackBerry app, in addition to our Android app, delivers this in a powerful way, and the fact that this can be used across the bulk of smartphone devices is a huge advantage to mobile users who are looking to connect with friends and family across the globe in the most inexpensive way possible,” added Bernstorm.
Just like its Android sibling, Rebtel for BlackBerry does not require an active Wi-Fi connection every time a call is made. Instead the application works on the cellular network using local phone numbers and users’ monthly local minutes.
Rebtel has also stated that it plans to release an iOS iteration of the application, which is expected to be available in spring 2011.
Rebtel for BlackBerry is available as a free download from the BlackBerry App World and is compatible with all smartphones running Blackberry 5.0 OS or higher.
Before downloading the application, it is recommended to check out the list of supported countries.
As a side note, Distimo's January report mentions that RIM's Blackberry App World has nearly 18,000 applications, the number has almost tripled since January 2010, which shows great potential for the Blackberry platform.