fring takes ICQ voice & chat mobile

fring today announced integration of the popular ICQ instant messaging community into its mobile VoIP platform. ICQ is yet another communication choice for fring users to meet and interact with the convenience and feature rich benefits of mobile internet-telephony.

"Adding ICQ to the fring interface is another example of our commitment to help users maximise their mobile internet-telephony experience with their choice of VoIP/IM community, network and operator for each mobile communication action" said Avi Shechter, co-founder & CEO, fring. "With ICQ as well as Skype, Google Talk and MSN Messenger, fring now facilitates mobile talk & chat for most IM users worldwide, on more than 350 mass market mobile handsets, and operating over any data network including GPRS/EDGE/3G, Wi-Fi and EVDO/CDMA, providing real communication alternatives for fringsters worldwide."

fring is a free, downloadable mobile phone application enabling free mVoIP (mobile VoIP) calls, real-time presence and live chat with multiple IM providers over mobile data networks or a Wi-Fi connection. The fring mVoIP application offers mobile phone and smartphone users' real mobile independence. It allows them to roam freely between wireless networks (GPRS, 3G, Wi-Fi) and enjoy the benefits of multiple IM and SIP providers from one integrated contact list. fring users or "fringsters" can mVoIP (mobile VoIP) talk and live chat for free from their mobile handsets with other fring users, landline or cellular phones using SkypeOut and SIP providers as well as PC contacts through Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, Twitter and now also ICQ.

fring is enhanced with real-time contact availability (presence) to help users choose the best call provider before dialling, based on the recipient's availability, reception quality and call cost, among other factors. It also saves users money by utilising free Wi-Fi internet access or fixed Internet data plans over 3G or GPRS instead of mobile airtime (GSM) minutes. fring is PC and operator independent, operates on mass market mobile devices and does not require dedicated hardware.