Rebel Calling

This is awesome! I often drop internet connection (currently commenting from an unstable one) and every time I open Skype or Google Hangouts, my Macbook crashes. £1/month is un-noticeable and I'd happily pay that to be able to call internationally without relying on dodgy WiFi! Awesome work from the Rebtel team :) @andy_bennett tell us about how this works! EDIT: @corleyh and I did a test-run just now and worked perfectly. Made it seem so seamless and no lag like there usually is on International Calls.

I could not find any information on how this actually works. How is this any different from Viber / Skype and what does "internet-free" really mean?

Sorry, but some lies here! I always liked the originality of rebtel service. I am in telecom business for more than 18 years, so let me explain. First, when a connection is shaky, it's mostly never come from the provider, but from the bandwidth/codecs/peering problem/no MPLS/VoIP restrictions on the user side.. Second, converting international calls to local calls to be cheaper it's 99% BS! When we, providers buy a "minute" (A-Z termination), we pay for it regardless the origination. It's now a little changing in some countries, but not making a real difference in the cost. All servers are connected through IP address, and everything goes through Internet between the 2 local calls. So it is a nice marketing strategy to explain why it's cheaper, but the cost is the same. They just makes more money when you call the local number. The provider who owns the number receive the call/SMS, charge the caller, and give a retribution to rebtel. They may even makes more money on that, than on the international minute. I am sure they should be able to offer the international minute (most countries cost around 0.5 cent in wholesale, so 1 hour is only 30 cents!), because the retribution/commission they get from their provider of the local numbers may be more important than the cost of the minute itself (ex: 0,3 cents/minute commission on each call = 0.6 cents. Cost of the minute 0.5 cents. If call give for free, profit of 0.1 cent/minute). So $1 is for the fun. Nice job rebtel!