Truphone, the UK-outfit that puts bread on the table by allowing cell-phones to make VoIP calls while saving cell service subscribers access charges, has just announced a partnership with WiFi network provider Quiconnect. This means that Truphone users will be able to hop onto WiFi hotspots all around the world, as long as those hotspots participate in Quiconnect’s network.
While there still aren’t enough hotspots to replace your cell provider (WiMax, anybody?), this is a step in the right direction, especially for those of us who do a lot of international roaming. The old “call me when your plane lands” reminder has been the trigger of millions of one-minute-long, six-dollar phone calls over the years, so we’re glad Truphone is helping us save our money. This announcement also represents the first significant push into commercial WiFi access for iPhone users by a service provider, as TruPhone, just a few weeks ago, became the first to offer VoIP calling on the iPhone.