International calls get cheaper, thanks to Ringo!

Starting today, Turakhia brothers have made their contribution to the international calling options. Apart from regular phone calls or using internetbased apps like Skype, Viber etc, users can now opt for Ringo, an app by Riva, a communications company, backed by Bhavin and Divyank Turakhia.

At the media event, where the app was unveiled, Ringo CEO, Bhavin said, “Ringo allows you to make low cost international calls without using internet.” To substantiate his “lowcost” point, Bhavin, opened Airtel’s website, viewed by the assembled press on the projector screen and went through international calling rates.

Rates differed across countries and at times, even within a country, across codes. When speaking of trying to find out international calling rates across telecom players, Bhavin quipped, “I had an easier time in my advanced class of calculus in college.”

Ringo is straightforward. Enter app, find the international number you wish to call (all international numbers saved in your phonebook get added to the app automatically), see the calling rate alongside and dial. After the call, you can go to transactions and view the total amount you may have spent on the call.

As payment goes, you would need to buy credit upfront, starting from Rs 30. The charge for each call will get deducted as you go. This credit will not expire after any duration and is fully refundable, if unused.

The app was first launched in US last May and has since been introduced in 17 markets globally, India being the latest addition. Plans are afloat to go to at least 40 markets by end of 2015.