Truphone is a VOIP service that aims to give you cheaper calls than your mobile operator. Its BlackBerry application is easy to use, and once installed it gives you the option of using Truphone’s network for international calls when you’re on your usual mobile network.

When you install the software, you need to give it the username and password you registered on the Truphone web site. This lets you see just how much credit you have for calls, and also helps manage the connection between your phone and the Truphone network. Making calls is easy – just dial an international number and you’ll be given the option to use a Truphone connection or your usual network.

Once you choose to make a call with Truphone, your BlackBerry will connect to its server over your data connection. This will assign your call a UK number, and the software will then automatically dial this number.

You’re still using the familiar BlackBerry phone interface; it’s just your call itself is going over Truphone’s international VOIP network. Calls can be very cheap – a typical call to a US landline is only 3p a minute (and can be a lot smaller if you use one of Truphone’s subscription plans) on top of any UK minutes you use.

The Truphone BlackBerry application includes tools for managing your account, which take you to the company’s website using the BlackBerry browser. It’s not the best looking site – it’s designed to work well with both old and new BlackBerry browsers – but it does the job, and you can use it to change telephone numbers, update account details and add credit. You also get the option of making it the only way you can call international numbers – so you won’t see the dialog giving you the option of Truphone or a GSM call.

Unlike some other versions of Truphone’s software, the Blackberry version only supports what the company calls “Truphone Anywhere”. There’s no support for free Truphone-to-Truphone VOIP calls, and no IM functionality. That’s a pity as there’s plenty horsepower on the latest BlackBerry devices to support VOIP – and there’s Wi-Fi on many handsets too.

We found Truphone easy to use on our test BlackBerry Curve 8900 – it’s really a very simple application. It’s a pity it doesn’t have some of the features we’ve come to expect from Truphone on other platforms, but it’s still an excellent way to save money of you make a lot of international calls. It’ll also give you international access if your contract doesn’t allow you to dial international numbers.

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Truphone info

Ease of use:
Value:
Features:
Overall

Platform: BlackBerry

Price: Free

Developer: Truphone

Website/Demo: The Truphone website