LowCaller, the mobile VoIP software from BetaMax
In my previous post about VoIP products from BetaMax, I calculated the real effective rate of Nonoh based on my own usage. It shows that the rate of BetaMax VoIP services is not as low as it seems to be. However, Nonoh still remains as my favorite VoIP service. One of the reasons is that, Nonoh provides many flexible ways to make VoIP calls from anywhere and anytime. LowCaller, the mobile VoIP software from BetaMax, is one of them.
LowCaller is a small program that can be installed on Blackberry, Windows Mobile or Symbian mobile phones. It is not only to be used with Nonoh but also with many other VoIP brands from BetaMax. In fact, I think it works with any BetaMax VoIP products with call in numbers. LowCaller is not a real mobile VoIP software by implementing SIP stacks. It is just a dialer to help users to use the call in mode of BetaMax VoIP products, which is available in
- Belgium
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Spain
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
In general, LowCaller is the same as dialing an access number by users themselves. The advantage of LowCaller is that users don’t need to remember the access number and dial the destination number after the voice prompt. It is more or less the same way of Google Voice works on Android phones. In other words, users can dial a number as normal (on standby screen directly or from address book), there will be a message popping up (in case “ask before each call” is selected) to ask whether users want to call via LowCaller or not in case. If yes, LowCaller will dial the access number automatically and the destination number will be send via the data connection. (As feedback from LowCaller team: “LowCaller doesnot use a data connection to setup calls. We transfer the destination number directly to the local access number. In this way, no costs for a data connection are being made which makes the call even cheaper”. But then I don’t understand why there is access point setting in LowCaller.) There is a small issue: if the destination number is not in free zone, users will be asked to type it again followed by “#” key.
Like Google Voice, users have to register their number under their account and these number will be used to identify users. No usersname or password is necessary to use LowCaller. There are 2 reasons to use LowCaller while most BetaMax VoIP services can be used with the built-in VoIP client on many smartphones:
- Since there is no native or third party SIP client on BlackBerry, LowCaller is more useful on this platform;
- Calls made from SIP clients via BetaMax VoIP services has no caller ID while calls made via LowCaller will show the true number of the mobile phone.
Hi,
my name is Nick from the LowCaller team.
First of all: thanks for writing about our LowCaller application.
I read the article and would like to correct you on something:
“LowCaller will dial the access number automatically and the destination number will be send via the data connection.”
LowCaller doesnot use a data connection to setup calls. We transfer the destination number directly to the local access number.
In this way, no costs for a data connection are being made which makes the call even cheaper.
Can you please correct this in your article?
Many thanks,
Nick
Thanks for your comment. I have corrected this in my article.
I downloaded LowCaller onto my T-mobile PAYG Blackberry device and I’M NOT IMPRESSED. I got charged 8p to call an O2 number, even though the call never connected (just rang – wasnt picked up). Then I called a landline (which is supposed to be free via Voipcheap/LowCaller) and I got charged about 14p/min. WHY IS THIS???
Do you mean you are charged to call the access number? I used Nonoh togethter with LowCaller to call Tesco number and landline. It is 6p/minutes for Tesco number and free to call landline or 1p/minutes when FUP was exceeded.
[...] vertaald uit LowCaller, the mobile VoIP software from BetaMax [...]
I do use a lot SMARTVOIP since the access to the local number is free, I mean included i my phone plan. That is why I was quite happy when LOWCALLER went out. However in my WINDOWS MOBILE DEVICE, TG01 there is no rerouting thru any local number. Did any one try on such device? on the other hand SMS are indeed sent thru LWCALLER at the outstanding cost of 4 ct. worldwide.
Sorry, I only tried LowCaller on Symbian S60 mobile phone, which even doesn’t have SMS function. But it also doesn’t work on my N82 while it works on E63 and N73
Hello. I installed this app on my HTC Touch HD with Windows Mobile 6.1 and configured it with my 12voip.com account data.
The problem is that I don’t understand how to switch beetween classic call and voip call. I’ve no other app installed execpet for the account configuration and there is no Today Plug-in…
In the setting of LowCaller, you can choose always use it or ask every time.
Yes but when I choose always my phone make normal calls and not voip. And if I unchek always it never ask me to make voip call.
I had similar problem on my Nokia N82, though it works fine on another E63 and N73.
Maybe you can send email to support@lowcaller.com, who also left comments here.
Yestarday i wrote to lowcaller support, I’m waiting for reply.
The strange thing is that only one time I got a pop-up asking me if I want to make a traditional call because there isn’t data connection to setup voip call (or maybe to login into my account and check my credit.. I don’t know)… :S
I think this could be an usefull software for user like me that use betamax services with local access number (today I save my girlfriend number to fast call: local_access_numberPAUSEgirlfriend_number) but they must tell how it works and behaviours.
ps Sorry for my English.. I hope you understand me!
Hi
I also tried to use lowcaller and it does not seem to work either for me. install and running is ok however when i try to make a call (geodial service), i get an error indicating that “the service is not available in this region” (something like that).
I am making calls from belgium and it is suppose to work in Belgium as indicated in their website… so really don’t understand why it is not working; someone can help ?
Also i have send several message to lowcaller support but never got an answer (not very professional…)
Strange, in fact, I also made calls from Belgium with LowCaller and it works on Nokia N73 and E63.
Indeed, it is weird; but i am using HTC Cruise WM6.1… do you know anyone you succeed to make a call from Belgium with WM6.1 ? Any information with be very much appreciated…
do you know any other similar application ?…
Thanks.
I have no idea how to make LowCaller to work on WM6.1. Maybe just save the access number + P + destination number + # as alternation.
If I am correct, the old version of Nimbuzz has call in method, which could be similar to LowCaller.
Hello, I have downloaded Lowcaller for Webcalldirect to use in Saudi Arabia. I want to buy credit to use this. But I did not find any option in Lowcaller site. Is there any registration process that I have to follow? Can some one help me exactly what I should do. I would appreciate an email to nmrsikder@yahoo.co.in. Thanks.
Depends on where you want to call, there are many BetaMax products work with LowCaller. I am using Nonoh.net myself
Could you please suggest me how can I activate lowcaller as there is no access number in Saudi Arabia. I use Nokia 73. Thanks.
LowCaller is a dialer to use access number easier. I don’t understand why you need LowCaller while there is no access number in your region.
I can suggest to use a small client for mobile phone that helps to make cheap calls over 26 different betamax providers:
http://www.artfulbits.com/Products/Chirp.aspx
Windows Mobile required. Works starting from WM5.
They wrote that in future they will release more versions, especially for Android and BlackBerry.
How much the cost for access number in France? and this cost is per min or per call?
Hi,
Can anyone help me out with LOWCALLER configuration:
I have a 12voip account but didn’t manage to find WHERE to put my account details in Lowcaller.
I probably must miss something….
THNKS FOR YOUR HELP.
Hello,
I want to ask you how can I change the acess number from lowcaller. I life in Germany and have a Nokia E72. I try it From the update but it dont work.
Thanks
I have Nokia E63 n was using smartvoip in my device.but for the past 2 months i cant use smartvoip in my device as whenever i make calls it shows CONNECTION ERROR.cud u pls help on this.
Hi… Admin!!
I just install LOWCALLER on my Nokia E63, but cudnt configure it. Actually I hv an account in budgetsip… So plz let me know how to configure acct details in lowcaller am living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates..
Regards