WHAT is Fring? And just in case you’re wondering, I’m am not talking about the popular hairstyle which is spelt with an ‘e’. I’m talking here Hi-Tech!

‘Fring’ is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) soft-phone and service that allows free calls, chat sessions, instant messaging and other services over mobile devices and handsets. The difference between Fring and most of the other VoIP software is that it is designed precisely for mobile phones, handsets and other portable devices. Fring offers all the benefits of a PC-based VoIP client, but only on mobile phones.

The price?
Fring’s software and service are both completely free. If one is to ruminate on the cost benefits of having a softphone like Skype on your computer, you would be able to make free calls to other people on the PC, but would have to pay small amounts for calls to mobile and landline phones. Fring, on the other hand, gives free calls, not only to people using PCs, but also to those using mobile phones. But wait! Don’t go download it yet! Read up a bit more!

Since you can make calls from your mobile phone to other mobile phones, you save a real lot on mobile communication. However, you need to convince your buddies to install Fring on their mobile devices as well, so that the calls can be done free.

The only thing you have to pay for is the data network services: Internet. A person using Fring optimally is likely to save more than 95% of what he or she would spend on traditional mobile communication. If Fring is used with free Wi-Fi in a hotspot somewhere, then the cost is nil. Hotspot providers! Get set for a full house soon!
What is required to use Fring  
Let us look first at what is not required. You don’t need a computer with headsets, or complex equipment like Internet Protocol (IP) phones.
In terms of hardware, all you need is a 3G or smart mobile phone or handset. Most 3G phones and smart phones of the most common manufacturers are compatible with Fring.
You also need to already have a data service, such as 3rd Generation (3G), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), or Wi-Fi, which you normally use with your smart phone. These services normally come with multimedia, mobile TV, video chat etc.
How Fring works?
Fring is based on Peer-to-peer (P2P) technology, and harnesses the power of data bandwidth to place and receive calls, without bearing the costs of acting as middleman between VoIP and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It uses purely data bandwidth to transmit voice.
Fring software can also autoconfigure whenever a Wi-Fi hotspot is detected in range, thereby making roaming seamless.
For call quality, the main factors are roughly the same as for other applications like Skype or ooVoo, the P2P network, bandwidth and processor power. If you have this right, I can see no reason for you to complain.
The bottom-line: If you already have a smart phone with 3G or GPRS service, it is worth giving Fring a try. If you don’t, estimate how much you will save, depending on your mobile communication needs, and decide whether it is worth investing in a smart phone and data network service.
I believe Fring brings value for users. You can download the 200 Kilobyte (kb) Fring application to your handset for free. Fring not only looks and feels a lot like other PC-based applications such as Skype, ooVoo, Google Talk and MSN Messenger that offer integrated VOIP, instant messaging and real-time presence services; the application also connects with them. It uses Skype’s API (application programming interface), but is not endorsed or certified by Skype, according to Fring’s Website.
You can fill your contacts list with other Fring users or friends on the other services; see when they’re Online; and communicate directly with them.
When in idle mode, the Fring application drains the battery a little faster than a cell-phone normally would in standby mode, but with the advantage that you are able to see when your friends are available, and signal your availability. However, be smart, and think green! It’s about time we monitor our energy usage and think outside of the box!
For all its features, Fring still has some kinks. If you try to make calls over GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) or GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) networks, you’ll notice a crackly voice quality similar to early PC-based VOIP service; the service is designed for 3G networks, but the developers are working on improving the quality in the other networks.
Interface
Fring’s interface is friendly and engaging. The app’s icon is a simple green smiley face with cartoon-like antennas, and many of the app’s buttons are riffs on that same doodle.
Over 4G, Fring video calls look exceptionally clean, beating out Google Talk with Video, and is able to keep up with the likes of FaceTime over Wi-Fi. And while Fring doesn’t work natively on Android Honeycomb tablets as yet, it offers group video chat for up to four callers, as well as a simple interface; and it runs well on the iPad 2. Add it all up, and Fring is among the best options for making face-to-face video calls from your smartphone. So, don’t hesitate! Get your Fring on and have some ‘Fringing’ freedom!